The Next Right Thing
Dear friends, I hated the situation I found myself in. I had been at an inpatient eating disorder treatment program longer than even my doctors had anticipated. Everyone in our family was tired of being apart and longing to be together, or at least to know that we would be soon.
Greatly anticipating the transition from inpatient to home, I was very aware that my last month of hospitalization had been incredibly bumpy. I didn't feel stable, safe, willing, or surrendered to God. I still had the tiniest desire to sneak (cheat the program), and I could still feel just reckless enough. It was not the time to settle.
I had to get help to make a wise decision. I needed to stay in treatment for at least one more month.
Do you? Do you need to stop pretending to be where you aren’t yet? It’s ok! Be honest with God. Be honest with yourself.
Even if you're not in a treatment center, you know bondage. You know when you're being controlled by food, a substance, self-harm, someone. What do you need to do?
I wasn't and still am not a "model" patient. I suffer and struggle. I cry and get scared. Then I go to bed, get up, and try to do it all over again. One bite, one decision, one step (sometimes just a shuffle) Why? Because if I don't finish what I started there in the hospital, I will miss out on so much - time with family, fully experience God’s love, and breaking the cycles which have, at times, been a hair away from absolutely breaking me!
No matter what your issue, hang-up, addiction, struggle, take the next right step. Just start!
One day you'll look back, and you'll see the legacy you are letting God help you create is worth not only leaving for others but worth living now.
Let's finish what we start, friends. I'm trying here, so messily, so imperfectly, but please try with me! I was at treatment center for more than three months, and I could've cut my inpatient stay short. It would have been wrong - I needed more time. One extra month later I was home and able to continue the fight for my life.
I want to challenge you: do the next right thing. Ask God what that looks like for today and begin to choose life. You are worth saving!
Love to you always
-Stacee