I first shared this story on episode 52 of my podcast, Recover with God, to end Season 4 with a tribute to my grandma—who passed away in 2020.

Now, my grandma did not struggle with an eating disorder. She also, to my knowledge, did not have body image issues or buy into diet culture or restrict her eating. And more than that, I don’t recall my grandma ever worrying about her appearance or what other people thought about how she looked.

But, here’s the thing. I didn’t understand or appreciate this about my grandma when she was alive. In fact, at times I wondered why she didn’t seem to care about makeup or try to impress people. I also wondered how she could enjoy food so much without guilt.

It wasn’t till a few months ago that I realized how rare, pure, and healthy my grandma’s relationship with food and her body truly was. And so, this tribute starts with an apology. I am sorry I didn’t see the beautiful example my grandma was for me. I’m sorry I let cultural norms like dieting and obsession with appearance cloud how I saw my grandma. And I’m sorry that I can’t tell her this face-to-face.

If you have someone in your life like my grandma, I encourage you to tell them now how rare and special they are. Thank them for setting a positive and healthy example for you.

My Grandma’s Example

Now, let me tell you a bit more about my grandma—what I remember, at least.

Like I said, looking back, I see now that she had a healthy relationship with food and body image. And not that size matters, but to paint a full picture, she appeared to be what I would call a natural weight for her smaller bone structure and body type. While she stayed very active for her age, it wasn’t an obsessive level of activity. Mainly, grandma worked around the house, in the yard, and she also played on a slow pitch softball team into her 70s—which made her so proud that her body was still capable.

And grandma loved food. She loved cooking. Loved trying new recipes. But she didn’t overeat. In fact, she almost always had leftovers in the refrigerator—and would save even the smallest amounts of leftover food instead of eating what was left just to finish it. I didn’t even think about it then, but just the way she saved leftovers tells me she was a pretty intuitive eater and in tune with her hunger and fullness cues.

Grandma found satisfaction in food, but she knew when to stop. She also ate a balance of whole foods and processed foods. The only type of food restriction I ever witnessed came after her bypass surgery. From that point on, she made an effort to eat more heart-healthy foods, but she didn’t go on a deprivation diet. No. She still approached food with a very balanced mindset.

Overall, my grandma owned who she was. She didn’t care what people thought of her—only if God was pleased by how she lived her life. She loved Jesus and wasn’t afraid to talk about her faith.

Growing up, she and grandpa would take turns praying at family dinners, and grandma always made a point to pray, “bless this food to our bodies.” Honestly, I heard it so often that I glossed over its meaning. But I have a feeling grandma meant it sincerely. She saw food and her body as blessings. No obsession. No stress. No destructive or disordered behaviors justified to meet the world’s standards.

Grandma didn’t compromise her values or beliefs. She knew God loved her and that was enough for her.

When I think of her today, the verse 1 Samuel 16:7 (ERV) comes to mind. Part of that verse tells us that, “God doesn’t look at what people see. People judge by what is on the outside, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

I also like to think that, when grandma left this earthly life and met God in heaven, she heard the words from Matthew 25:23 (NLT), “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

This verse is part of a parable Jesus told, and he continues on to say, “You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!”

My grandma was a good steward of her life and the one body God gave her. She was faithful with the “small amount” entrusted to her. She knew her body housed the Holy Spirit and treated it that way.

What Does Your Body Is a Temple Really Mean?

I’m sure you’ve heard the verse, “Your body is a temple.” And maybe you’ve used it to justify restrictive behaviors or allowed yourself to believe the lie that being skinny equals taking care of yourself. But let’s read this verse in full, and the verse that comes after it.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT) says this: “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”

Honoring God with our bodies does not mean working them to the point of exhaustion or fitting into a certain size that society tells us is acceptable. Nope. A few chapters later in 1 Corinthians, we get this nugget from the Apostle Paul that helps us better understand how to “honor God with [our] bodies.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT) reads: “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Paul literally mentions food and drink—what we put into our bodies. And he says to eat and drink for the glory of God.

Do your behaviors around food and your body bring God glory? Do they reflect God’s character and love for us and point people to Him? Or is your intention to glorify yourself and point people to you by changing your body to get more attention?

I know these are hard questions, and I don’t ask in judgment. In fact, these are questions I continue to ask myself as well. 

My grandma knew the secret. She lived the way God intended us to live in the bodies He gave us. And almost six years after her death, I finally see it. I finally appreciate it. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t a physical, bodily issue or illness that caused my grandma’s death. It was her mind. She suffered from dementia for years until it eventually took her life in 2020.

Her body was a temple for the Holy Spirit here on earth. She lived that verse, as far as I can tell. And I hope her story encourages you to pursue freedom and choose to eat, move your body, and approach how you look in a way that lets people see Jesus in you.

As I’ve said before on the podcast, it’s not about me. And it’s not about you. These lives we live and the bodies we live in are all about reflecting the One who made us.

Thank you, Grandma, for this precious reminder!

And let me end with a prayer.

Lord, thank You for the truth of your Word. Thank You for giving us specific instructions on how to treat our bodies. Thank You for giving us these bodies to steward for Your glory!

I pray today for those listening now and longing for freedom. Lord, I pray that they will go immediately to You and pour out their struggles to You, because You listen, Lord. I pray that they will ask You for strength, wisdom, and more faith to let go of old habits and disordered behaviors that go against Your truth. Please, Lord, remind us all who You created us to be and how You created us to live—for Your glory and not for our own glory.

We know life is fleeting, God, and we need Your help to make the most of the time You give us on this earth. Living with an eating disorder is not Your best for anyone. Going on diet after diet or following a brutal workout plan is not Your best for anyone. You lovingly created our bodies to be used for good and not distraction or objects of obsession.

And you offer a way of freedom that only comes through Jesus. Through the power of the resurrection that raised Jesus from the dead and paid the penalty for all sin. Lord, we need that power. I pray that those listening will seek You for that power to overcome. Because nothing is too hard for You, God.

I pray with all my heart that this truth will be heard and believed and acted upon. Lord, I believe you are the ultimate healer and You are the way to recovery. You are the way to eternal freedom.

In Your holy name I pray, amen. May it be so!