According to Rick Warren, "Your problems are not punishment; they are wake up calls from a loving God." I know this now, but in December of 2005, you couldn't convince me of this.
Like any mother, I tried not to react when my 8th grade daughter announced to us after a family beach trip in August of 2005, that she was going on a diet. The "D" word wasn't used often in our house..not dieting people. We love to eat! I looked straight at her and simply stated "moderation". Eat right...fruits, vegetables, lean meats. I tried to take a very "health class" approach. All the while, I'm wondering...why the sudden interest in dieting and exercise!
Later it came to me, school was starting back and she wanted to be thinner and look more like the skinny girls in her class. Mind you, she wasn't a big girl, just going through many of the changes middle school girls go through. It dawned on her she wasn't rail thin.
Unfortunately it became an obsession. Thirty minutes of exercise turned into an hour, an hour turned into two. My den from time to time looked like a small room at the Y. Upstairs late at night, I would hear her exercising again after we had gone to bed. She started to cut back on meals. The weight fell off her 4'11" frame, and the compliments started flowing from the skinny girls. Just what she wanted to hear! Approval.
She continued her slide down the slippery slope...the tip of the ice berg. Our daughter lost 16 lbs from August-December. She was really good at masking this.
After a couple of trips to the pediatrician's office, we knew it was time to check into getting help. A couple of years before, God placed us in the hands of one of the most caring, Christian pediatricians, Dr. Brockman and she guided us through a long and difficult process of getting professional help.
At this point, all I could do was question "Where did I go wrong?" Life as we knew it was no more. Our little girl was changing physically and emotionally. Everyday was like an emotionally roller coaster. ED had found a way in, unpacked and became very comfortable.
I will share more of our journey tomorrow. Signs of anorexia and steps we took to get help.
This verse helped us during so many dark times.
John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Embrace each day and the ones you love,
Ginger
10 comments:
Oh Ginger, I pray God will place these posts right in front of the people who are going through this.
Bless you!
Beth
Thank you for sharing. I am in agreement with Beth. I pray God will send the right people along to read that need to hear it. And may God bless you for having the courage to speak out.
Hugs to you my friend!
Bless you, my friend. I'm sure your heart ached so as you watched your daughter going through this....
Thank you for sharing this and may it touch someone's life that could be experiencing the very same thing.
~Beth
Thank you for sharing from your heart. I can't imagine how difficult that must have been.
I think it's great that you are sharing. You never know if just one person will read this and be helped.
The teen years can be rough. (I've been through it with my son and daughter)
I'm so thankful you had/have such a good Christian dr. What a blessing!
God bless you as you continue to share your story.
Valerie
Thank you,Ginger for sharing this...I have try to keep a lookout for any signs with my daughters.
Blessings!
Teresa
Ginger,
What a terrible time that must have been for your family! I know in my heart that God is using you to minister to others who are going through similar situations. I am praying that God will send those people to read this post.
Blessings...
Beth E.
Hey Ginger - thanks for stopping by my blog. I will be thinking about you and your family as you are going through this challenging time. I hope to "see" you again.
Stacy
Thank you for sharing your story. ED tried to join our family when I was in high school, but we were fortunate to send him packing! I look forward to sharing more of your journey. And thank you for the encouraging comments.
It is because of ladies like you who come out of the shadows of what feels like hopelessness, to minister to the hearts of other moms and daughters, that give hope! Thank you so much for sharing your heart on this matter. My daughter has battled her image at times, but it was this year that was the scariest. She is insulin dependent and decided to skip meals. She is no longer doing so, but what a fright to find that out!
My prayers are with your daughter as well as your family. When one member is hurting, I know you all are. Thank you especially for sharing the scripture that was such a pillar for you (and is still). :o)
I do remember the Carpenter's, I love their music, even now. That was such a tragic death.
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne
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