This is Pastor Tim’s article which appeared in the Evening Leader on Monday, Feb 7
I am writing this article on Sunday evening, January 30 at 8:57PM. This is significant because at this exact minute I’ve reached a milestone in my life; it is the moment I have officially seen everything. I was scrolling my Google newsfeed looking for something to write about and boy did I find it. I have had some heavy articles the past few weeks and wanted a lighter topic. Well, how about this? They now have a card that you can order from More-Love.org to give your doctor so they don’t have to weigh you at your appointment.
I am not kidding; this is a real thing. I actually went to the website to check it out. They are like business cards can give to your doctor. Apparently, they function like get out of jail free cards in Monopoly. You just give them the card and your medical professional will not put you on the scale unless absolutely necessary. Why a person just can’t say they don’t want to be weighed is not explained. It seems like making an oral objection to the scale would be just as effective as a card, but then they couldn’t sell you a box of cards.
More-Love.org is a body positivity site that helps people with eating disorders and body image. Now don’t get me wrong, I believe that to an extent, body positivity is a good thing. My problem comes with the inherent risks that people will take by not ever discussing possible health risks of obesity. Health problems don’t go away if you ignore them, and this card idea seems like a great way to avoid taking responsibility for a challenge in your life.
Take it from me, I know that it can be difficult to get on the scale. As a kid who grew up very morbidly obese, I completely understand how awful it can be. I had to get on a scale in gym class when I was in fourth grade and can still remember that I weighed in at 208 pounds. I weighed in yesterday morning at 218 pounds. That means at 47 years old, I weigh 10 pounds more than I did in fourth grade. Unfortunately, I am like 2 foot taller now. So, I know exactly what those body images can do to a kid. I have fought the battle with the scale for as long as I can remember.
Having said all of that, the absolute worst thing that could have ever happened to me would have been if I got my hands on those don’t weigh me cards. I didn’t need a scale to tell me I was fat, I had plenty of kids reminding me of that. I needed the scale to help me understand the scope of my problem. These cards would have saved me a whole lot of awkward jokes. However, it was the scale that has held me accountable. If I would have avoided the scale and not allowed medical personnel to help me with my struggle, I hate to think where I would be today.
Yes, it was embarrassing; I am still embarrassed by it today. Nevertheless, it wasn’t standing on the scale that made me overweight, it was being unhealthy that caused the problem. I can try to run from it, I can avoid the scale, and I can make every excuse from genetics to bad luck, but at the end of the day, the consequences for being morbidly obese are going to happen to no one but me. Heart disease, bad knees, and all the other downsides to being overweight cannot be excused by a card.
I wonder what other unpleasant things in life I could be excused from by using a card? I would love to have a card to give to the IRS saying that I pay too many taxes and I am taking a year off. Maybe I could get a card for my mechanic because I don’t want to get the oil changed in the Beetle? There may even be a card I could give to Wayne Street if I didn’t want to preach a sermon on Sunday.
You know, maybe I judged this card idea too quickly. They may not be such a bad idea after all.