Monday, February 23, 2009

Don’t Wait for Tomorrow

For all the young girls out who are there struggling with eating disorders, I felt like I should share something with you that I received in the mail this past week. It’s so important for you to deal with your issues while you are still young so that your whole life is not destroyed because of it. So many people care about you, even people you have never met. This particular lady who wrote to me touched my heart because she is 60 years old, and she has been struggling with an eating disorder since she was 15. She actually has such a heart for other people that she sent in a donation to Mercy Ministries asking that it be used to help young girls who are still struggling with an eating disorder. I will not reveal her name in order to protect her identity, but I will share with you her words.

“Hi, I’m 60 years old. I’m 5’3”. I weigh 77 pounds. I’ve been anorexic and bulimic since I was 15 years old. Maybe it’s too late for me. I wish you or someone was around 45 years ago to help me. I want to help the young girls who come to you. Please use my donations to help them. Thank you.”
I hope this will encourage you to seek help today. In 2 Corinthians 6:2, it clearly says, “…today is the day of salvation.” You might say, “What is today?” I say that today is literally today - the very moment you are reading this. Today is your day of salvation, if you will make up your mind to receive the help that is being offered. As I have mentioned before, my professionally trained counseling staff and I have put together a book called Starved: Mercy for Eating Disorders. If you’re still within the age group to be able to come to Mercy (13-28), we would certainly welcome you to apply to the program. However, regardless of what age you are, we are happy to send this book to you, free of charge, upon your request. If you are interested in receiving this book free of charge, please email me your mailing address at nancy.alcorn@mercyministries.com.

In addition to our book (Starved: Mercy for Eating Disorders), I also want to recommend some other help available:

Dr. Linda Mintle. Linda is a licensed clinical social worker who has been in general clinical practice for over 20 years. She specializes in eating disorders as well as marriage and family therapy. Linda has played a key role in training our counselors and staff, and has provided resources that are used daily in our Mercy Ministries’ homes. She is the author of 15 books including. We use her materials with our girls, and we highly recommend her resources. She has a book called Making Peace with Your Thighs, as well as many other books available on her website at http://www.drlindahelps.com/.



1 comments:

Megan said...

I am 26, and found healing from Anorexia this past year at mercy. I remember being 15 and going to treatment, where an older resident told me, "Get rid of this now, so you aren't like me, having struggled for over a decade." God in His mercy allowed me to find freedom after struggling for almost 15 years, but I know from experience that the longer I waited, the harder it got to let go. I echo Nancy's words, "Don't wait for tomorrow." Do it now. Don't wait for it to go away. It won't unless you fight it with the power of the Spirit and the help of God-fearing professionals like the Mercy Staff.