The Measure of a Tapeworm

On Saturday I attended So Long Insecurity, Beth Moore’s live simulcast. My first question—can a simulcast be anything besides ‘live’—I’m really just wonderin’ if they can video things and then not let anyone see them before the ‘live simulcast.’ But that isn’t the intent of this blog. I want to tell you that I was blown away when Beth announced that the simulcast was being seen by 300,000 women in over 800 locations. Can you imagine speaking to that many people? Sure made me insecure to even think about such a thing, but I’m thankful God gave her the security to get on that stage! It was a wonderful gathering of ladies here in Topeka, and realizing there were 300,000 women across the country who all wanted to learn how to overcome their insecurities, sure tells me that we all suffer from some from a lack of confidence in some area of our lives.

The message truly spoke to my heart and I’m so glad that I went. I told myself I should be a home working on those edits I wrote about last week, but I think the Lord knew exactly where I needed to be on Saturday—and it wasn’t at my computer. I’d love to tell you everything Beth had to say to us, but I’m sure many of you may attended in your home cities, and Beth has a book by the same title that will give you even more than we heard on the simulcast. While I truly came away from the gathering with a full heart and a commitment to remember that “grace takes up the space” in a secure woman, there is one other thing I must share with you because my ears perked and I came to full attention when Beth mentioned the word ‘history.’

She talked about women attempting to make themselves ‘perfect’ throughout history, and reiterated this obsession with beauty isn’t a new phenomena, but one that has become more pervasive because of our technology. Robin’s blog yesterday is further testimony to women who were striving to have a larger ‘bosom’ back in the late 1800’s and those rib-breaking corsets are yet another way women attempted to have the perfect figure. However, during her talk, Beth mentioned reading about something I’d never before seen or read in my research: ‘sanitized tapeworms.’ Yep, that’s right tapeworms—not sure how they sanitized them, but they were available during the late 1800’s—maybe earlier. The moment I got home, I had to Google sanitized tapeworms. And sure enough, you will see the advertisements and the bottles that contain those sanitized critters that will permit you to EAT, EAT, EAT, and still loose weight. Please note that it isn’t a man’s picture on the bottle—because those smart advertisers knew clear back then, that women were the ones who would purchase and ingest those nasty critters. Now, I’ve tried most diets available, but even I wouldn’t jump at the chance to try this one! Can I hear a giant YUCK to that idea?

I’m so thankful we have a God who created each of us to be unique and special and that his measurement and acceptance of us is filled with grace. He doesn’t require the use of tapeworms, bust creams or corsets to make us acceptable. He takes us just as we are and gives us the greatest gift of all—eternal life.

May you find joy as you rest in the everlasting love of Jesus. ~Judy


P.S. And if you happen to live in Iowa and are anywhere near the Amana Colonies, I'll be attending Maifest and signing books at the General Store in Main Amana on Saturday from 10 until Noon and from 1:00 until 3:00, and on Sunday afternooon, I'll be in Lemstone's in Cedar Rapids from 1-3 in the afternoon.