O Lord, If you heal me,
I will be truly healed;
If you save me,
I will be truly saved.
My praises are for you ALONE!
Background:
Christen and I met October 13, 2010 in Lincoln, California at Mercy Ministries. The first thing I remember of her was her angelic eyes and sweet spirit. She had just gotten to Mercy also so we both had a lot of the same emotions going on. We also had some of the same struggles. Christen LOVED God and others. We spent six months together. Day in and day out together doing life together. We had MANY laughs and MANY tears together. Even on Christen's rough days she could put a smile on your face or make you laugh. Her focus was always on others! Some favorite memories together were: going to the mall on Fridays, walking to the gym together, sitting in the exercise room sharing secrets, praying together, encouraging each other, snack times (because we were on mandatory snacks), backyard walks, and much more.
I was able to stay in touch with Christen over the past two and a half years. She had many ups and downs over the years but always kept her focus on God and being healed. Christen never lost hope on beating her battle of anorexia and bulimia, she worked HARD. Harder than most people. Her heart was to be a dietitian and help women overcome eating disorders. She had a heart of gold. If you had the opportunity to spend just a short time with Christen, you would know how much of a sweet encourager she was. She wanted everyone to be okay and to overcome. I loved the many times we had those deep heart to hearts about how she would one day help other people conquer the battle of an eating disorder. Sadly, this dream did not come to pass in her life here on earth. But here's the encouragement for my friends and acquaintances who are reading this blog. She is now healed and in heaven and no longer struggling. And if you are a survivor of an eating disorder or struggling today we can be encouraged by Christen's fight because she fought the good fight.
As God gave me the words "live out the Legacy she always wanted for women and that was to bring freedom to others" my whole perspective changed about where I was in life. It gave me a new drive to help others with eating disorders, addictions, and overcoming other issues. I want to fight harder for others because of my sweet friend Christen. Christen would only want others to overcome and be happy with themselves. So lets rise up and be that legacy for her. Allow the Lord to give you the strength for each day. She wants you to live a life of abundance.
I had the opportunity this past week actually exactly one week after Christen passed to speak at Mercy Ministries. I had many emotions going to the place that saved my life and brought healing to me but the feeling of emptiness of Christen no longer being here because the enemy kept her in bondage. So yes I shared my testimony but more importantly I spoke the truth of how the enemy comes to kill, steal, and destroy and to be alert of that but to hang onto the promise that I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full (in abundance). I wanted them to be encouraged to continue the fight after they leave Mercy. I know Christen would want me to encourage anyone who has any type of struggle to fight until the end. And that the only hope comes from Jesus.
KEEP FIGHTING FRIENDS!!!
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