Growing Up in Williamsport, Ohio

Tall and Thin
 
Karen Blixen, author of “Out of Africa”, started her book with the words, “I had a farm in Africa”. If I were to write an autobiography, I could probably start it with, “I was tall and thin”.
 
When I was a teenager and sick of being tall and thin, I prayed that I would gain weight (imagine that) especially on my scrawny arms. A few days later while walking to school, I slipped on some snow and hit my forearm on the corner of the sidewalk where Mr. Alspach lived. I ended up with a goose egg on my arm right below my elbow. I decided that was not a good prayer to pray.
 
When I was in college, I was still bemoaning the fact that I was thin and decided to eat after I was no longer hungry. I got sick and threw-up. I decided that I needed to be happy the way I was.
 
In recent years I have gained some weight in places where I don’t want it. Of course, my arms are still scrawny. Then God gave me the Scripture from Psalm 92:14, “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing:” I do know the real meaning of that Scripture and I thank God for it. However, I like the flourishing part but I’m not too keen on the fat part of that verse. I have talked to God about it. I have always heard that Jesus has a sense of humor from remarks He made about the Sons of Thunder. I have a feeling that He is laughing about my prayer regarding that Scripture. : )

©Marilyn Francis Ferguson 2021
Photography/graphics by Michele Ferguson Schuck