At some point we have all experienced a special moment when we began a new chapter in our life. But this month has started out with what I would refer to as a new book for mine. Let me share.
When you hear the word diet, what are some of the first words that come to your mind or rather, your mouth?
Sit for a moment and really consider just that.
Maybe, you thought of such words as: Money scheme, Jenny Craig, Atkins, Keto, Paleo, Lactose-free, or even words like – cutting back and exercise. And I would guess that most answers would consist of a desire to lose weight and the second thought might be based on health issues. But eventually a statement would reveal ones’ lack of will power somewhere in the conversation. I would go as far as to say you probably even made a mental note of something you refuse to give up. Perhaps it’s a weakness.
When it comes down to it, the diet we plan to begin on a Monday usually isn’t a priority on our to-do list. And if it is, there’s been more than one Monday to begin. Which is why I decided to go forward with changing my lack of self-control on a Friday.
There was this one item in a lot of my food choices, but I never realized it was basically in EVERYTHING on the shelves of our pantry!
I was skeptical to share this considering that most people don’t want to hear from someone who has only changed their eating habits for fourteen days. And I understand if that’s how you feel, but if I didn’t share this I would be disregarding what could be a huge blessing that could transpire with healing in the lives of people who suffer with pain. An when it comes to constant pain, the sooner it ends the better.
I’ve suffered with chronic inflammation, arthritis, knee pain, plantar fasciitis, and lower back pain for a long time now. I’ve been borderline diabetic for many years and avoided having a primary care doctor ever since I decided to take myself off Metformin. I’m most certain I would have been on insulin by now if I had not purposely slid by with eating better close to time for a yearly physical at the gynecologist. Which usually results into hearing, “Mrs. Van Kleef you need to see your primary care doctor about this issue because I believe you have a problem.” Oh, and I failed to mention the only alternative left for my feet, knees or neck issues were all diagnosed with, “You need surgery.” After hearing the words breast cancer on two different occasions, another surgery is the last thing you want to entertain as an alternative. At least until you have reached your limit with pain. So, I have just lived with it.
In this note, I won’t tell you exactly what started this diet (I’ll save that for later); but let me tell you what has happened because of it. On the third day when I woke up and my feet hit the floor – I was in disbelief that I may be experiencing a miracle. I said to myself – If I didn’t know any better, my feet barely hurt! And then by midday I also took notice to how much energy I seemed to have. I didn’t want to get overly excited in case it didn’t last because it was still rising up in my mind with how I felt at the end of each day, even on a good note. Some nights, I would cry with the pain, especially in my feet if I had gone in any grocery store. Not to mention my knees and elsewhere.
Let’s just say if I based my age on how I’ve felt the last six years (and especially the two years), it would add twenty more years to fifty-six. All the other aches were less painful than my feet if I were using the chart at a hospital, and on a scale of 1-10, I would say I daily averaged an 8. Until now. Each day the number steadily decreased. Within the first week of the diet, I can claim I was a “3” on the chart. Let me rephrase that; On day three I was on the low end of the chart with a three as far as pain.
Fifteen days have passed since I started, and I’m a ONE (on the scale) concerning my feet. And as far as the other aches and pains, there is absolutely NONE.
Yesterday was the first time I rode a lawn mower in over six years. Due to the pain with riding, it made no sense for me to mow if I would only end up at the chiropractor two times a week for two months. After I finished talking with Jesus on the lawnmower, I went on to mine and His conversation while gardening and doing other chores that consisted of pulling, bending, squatting, and going up and down steps of which I normally would avoid by taking the wheelchair ramp. At one point my husband even suggested I should call it quits before I over did it and had regrets. But I just went onward with a huge smile and praising the Lord at the same time.
I just knew this is a miracle, and I wanted to bask in the occasion of feeling normal again. After completing everything I wanted to do on the outside, I got showered and then stood on my bare feet for over an hour cooking an amazing meal and then enjoyed washing the dishes by hand and not loading them in the dishwasher as usual (a miracle). You would also have to understand that I had to constantly wear certain shoes from the time I got out of bed until I got in bed, but that has not been the case for a few hours out of the day. Around 9 pm last night, I was also vacuuming and mopping (another miracle). I can’t tell you the last time I was purposely doing that chore at night. I just could and I was excited.
My energy has been like an athlete that just knows they’re going to win the race. There’s so much I want to share, but I will spare you with all the details just yet, and end with what I eliminated from my diet on day #1. (With the exception of one spoon a day)
I must say that I truly believe I’ve found the culprit to what was my downfall to a life of endless pain – Sugar!
P.S. There’s so much more to share but I will save that for another day.
FINDING GOD IN EVERYTHING 