Don’t Eat the Garbage

As the curtain falls on summer, I’m still fighting the image that the season is all about relaxing and a care-free time. It’s been a heavy prayer time and so many people are going through tough, junky stuff. Just like the Texas heat that hasn’t let up, women especially seem to be struggling with self-worth more than ever. Wounded people wound people and there is a mass of wounded people inflicting words on others.

And the recipients are ingesting those words.

I’m living proof no one has to define their worth by the words of others. As I prepare to present the Bible book study Captivating via webinar this fall part of my story includes the words I heard a kid ask a gym teacher, pointing to me. “Does fat float?” Those words owned me for decades.

I read this week at the Internet Cafe about the power of bullying. Actress and singer Demi Lovoto admitted in an ABC interview earlier this year her bulimia and cutting issues were rooted in her eighth grade when people called her fat. There truly is the power of life and death in our words.

I’m here to tell you just because you are fed those words, you don’t have to eat them.

One of the speaking presentations I give is called “Don’t Eat the Garbage.” As I connect with audiences I see one of the hardest things to surrender are the words people say. I’m a visual person so I bring with me plates and garbage (usually shredded paper filled with negative words we’re received over the years). I put the garbage in front of the ladies and remind them just because it is there doesn’t mean they have to eat it.

That goes for anyone. It’s so liberating to watch people push the garbage plate away and say no thanks. To believe they matter, they have worth. They are God’s precious daughter (or son) and in time, if they surrender those words to God they even see themselves as God’s beloved princess. His bride. The object of His affection.

So as the sun sets on the dog days of summer, are you ready to let go of those hard times where words dictated who you are and what you do? Let’s start the back to school fall season with a new attitude.

And get rid of the garbage!

If you would like to learn more about my presentation, click here. If you would like to consider booking me, please contact me at juliearduini@juliearduini.com.

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