32 Again!!!

There are some wonderful advantages to being middle-aged . . .

• There’s a wonderful freedom that comes with the “empty-nest” years.
• I’ve lived long enough to have attained some usable wisdom and experience.
• I’ve walked with Christ long enough to desire for the sanctification process to have stripped away a lot of the junk (pride, selfishness, etc.).

 However, there are some things about being middle-aged that really stink.

• The hair is so far gone that I can’t even say I have a receding hairline . . . it’s better described as “missing in action.”
• The aches and pains grow each year . . . bad knees, bad back, etc.
• As the metabolism slows down I eat less and weigh more.

 It’s this last point that I really want to talk about.  Despite what I thought were my best efforts, I have been overweight for about 10 years.  (Don’t laugh.  No, really . . . don’t laugh!  Yes, God made me skinny.  But, I have been packing a little extra upholstery around the middle for quite some time.)

 When some very heavy lifting about 12 years ago resulted in two herniated  discs in my back, Dr. Lee, my primary care physician, told me the best relief for back pain was to lose a few pounds.  He set a target for me based on my height, body type, etc.  The target was 153 pounds.  I lost about 7 pounds and got on track . . . but a few years later I started slowly putting it back on.

 Last fall I was up to 170 pounds and I had to buy “fat” clothes.  Okay, it wasn’t that drastic.  But after years of wearing a 32 waist, I had to go buy a new “lower” wardrobe with a 34 waist.  I wasn’t happy about it (partly because I’m cheap and hate to spend money), but I consoled myself with the thought that it was an inevitable part of growing old.  I gave my good “32’s” to my son Aaron, and gave the well-worn “32’s” to the Salvation Army.

 But, in January I got sick.  For the second time in four years I had “shingles.”  Besides being incredibly miserable from the illness, the needed medications didn’t agree with my stomach.  I ate nothing but chicken noodle soup and saltines for a week, and couldn’t always keep those down.  It was like having a free weight-loss clinic!  I think I dropped 5 to 7 pounds in the week.

 By the time I recovered and began eating real food, my stomach had shrunk.  That’s when I decided to try to keep it shrunk.  I reduced the size of my portions, and have kept them reduced.

 Two weeks ago I had to go out and start buying new pants . . . in a size 32 waist.

 Two days ago it finally happened.  I stepped on the bathroom scale and it reported . . . 153!!!! 

 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).