But Weight! | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: But Weight! | Previous Challenge Entry
By Karen Dick
02/01/17
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The jeans were firmly clutched in my hands, and with a fluttering heart, I closed my eyes. I took a deep breath. Think positively, do this for you. With a wink toward my diet manual, I pressed my lips firmly together. Here goes.

I balanced on my left leg and shoved the right leg in. Then, teetered on my right leg, and pushed my left leg in. With a big exhale, and clutching the waistband with both fists, I jumped. After I readjusted my hand grip, I jumped again. And again. Sweat formed on my brow and I exhaled. Now, the dreaded front button. My arms ached as I yanked the waistband together. With a grunt and another tug, the button closed. I sucked in a deep breath, puuuulleed up on the zipper, and then flopped onto the bed.

I did it. The jeans are on. I stood and examined my hips in my reflection as I slowly turned. The front and sides were tight, but acceptable. Turning, I made my way out of the bedroom and down the stairs.

“Henry,” I called. “I need your opinion.”

“I’m in here.”

My pulse quickened as I made my way to the family room. Cheers from the game on the television caused me to grin, imagining they were for me, as I made my grand entrance. My husband’s eyelids looked heavy while he reclined in his chair.

“Well, what do you think?” I giggled and waited.

“This game is a disaster. No defense! I could do a better job than those lousy coaches.” The chair squeaked as he adjusted in the soft leather.

With a loud sigh I said, “I mean, how do I look?” I stared, and then smiled.

With a start, Henry glanced at me, and then slowly straightened in his chair.

His expression was blank. I tapped my toe. “I’m waiting.”

“You look fine.” He laid back and glared at the TV.

“Wait. I asked you how I look?” With my eyes on Henry, I turned slowly in a circle. I held my breath and waited.

Once again, silence ensued.

“Henry. I’ve lost fifteen pounds, and I want you to tell me how I look in these old jeans. Tell me.”

“Well….I think you look…..beeeg…I mean beautiful. I meant to say beautiful!”

I gulped and stared at my husband. “You just said I look big.”

“No, no….that’s not what I meant. I was trying to say beeeeauuutiful. It just came out wrong.” His eyes were huge as he stared at me.

My vision blurred. “I’ve worked so hard to lose this weight!”

Henry shook his head and pushed back in his recliner. He grabbed the remote and turned up the volume.

I quickly made my way up the stairs and to the bedroom. The door slammed and I fell onto my bed. Tears rolled down my face as I stared at the ceiling.

The book that had been my life for the last month caught my eye. “Thirty Days and Ways to Lose All the Weight”. I grabbed it and threw it into the trash can. Why is this so hard for me, Lord?

Hidden, underneath the diet manual, was my Bible. As I picked it up, it fell open to a place I had bookmarked and underlined. My breath caught; You’re beautiful with God’s beauty, Beautiful inside and out.

With a push off of the bed, I stood. As I moved to stand in front of my full length mirror, I sighed.

A knock at the door caused me to jump and turn to it. It slowly opened. There stood Henry with his hands behind his back.

“I’m sorry I hurt your feelings.” He looked at me, and then down at his worn sneakers.

My heart clenched as I watched him.

Then from behind his back, he pulled out a single red garden rose. He shoved it at me.

“I will always think you’re beautiful, Tammy. Always.”

A tear ran down my cheek, and I smiled.

Luke 1:28 MSG

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