A Client’s Story: When God Intervenes a Binge
I had the privilege of working with a client—let’s call her LM—who had battled bulimia for many years. Like many of the clients I walk alongside, our relationship didn’t end after our formal coaching sessions. We stayed in touch, as I often do, because I genuinely care and am always curious to see where life and freedom from an eating disorder takes them. What dreams have they pursued? What healing has taken root? How are they truly living?
This story is one of those moments when God intervenes a binge and everything changes.
From Poetry to Purpose: A Son’s Invitation
I was so proud of LM. Since our work together, she had relocated, pursued her career goals, and her last binge-purge episode was a distant memory in October 2023. That moment was seared into her memory, one she never wanted to return to.
Early spring 2025, something unexpected was unfolding in my own family.
My son, Bruce Lee, has always had a heart for the Lord. He was chosen from a young age, and as he’s grown into a young man, his faith has only deepened, inspiring others in their own walk with God. Like his mama, he enjoys writing poetic pieces, many of them grounded in deep emotion and faith.
Recently, Bruce began experimenting with new ways to transform his poems into full length songs and bring the lyrics to life. The results have been nothing short of incredible—some truly sound like they could be hits. And I’m not just saying that as a proud mom. One day, he asked if I’d send him one of my poems so he could turn it into a song.
At first, I forgot. Most of my poems, of which there are many, are saved on my desktop, and once I’m in work mode at my desk, poetry often takes a backseat.
When a Poem Becomes a Song of Intervention
But on the afternoon of April 6th, a slow and restful Sunday, Bruce texted to remind me. I wasn’t even supposed to be home that day. I had planned to be on a solo glamping retreat (just me and my sweet doggie, Oreo), but a tornado hit Friday night and sent me home early. The tornado is a whole other story of God showing up with His protection!
Back to Sunday—so, I opened my computer and scrolled through my sea of files. At first, I tried to choose the “perfect” one to send, but that was going to take a while. Instead, I randomly chose two.
One of the poems I sent was called Lashes. I had written it years ago, inspired by my time with LM as her coach. Sometimes when I’m especially moved by a client’s journey, I express that through writing. Occasionally I share those poems with my client, and sometimes I keep them just for myself. Lashes was one I had shared with LM when I first wrote it.
Within about 30 minutes, Bruce chose Lashes to produce. When he sent it to me, I was floored. I felt emotional. The lyrics, the melody, everything, it brought LM’s journey to life in such a tender and beautiful way.
Divine Timing: When God Intervenes a Binge
I knew immediately I had to send this song to LM.
My excitement spilled over into text. My first message to her was just her name followed by a bunch of exclamation marks. Then, I followed up with a quick explanation of my son’s new creative outlet and how he had turned ‘her’ poem into a song. I then sent it to her.
She replied quickly with a heart and crying emoji.
Then came the full message.
Right at the moment, that very moment I had texted her, she was in the middle of a binge. It was the first time in eighteen months. She had a three hour drive in front of her that day and was overwhelmed with life. She intended to purge as soon as she couldn’t take another bite. But then her phone buzzed, and she saw my name pop up with a string of exclamation marks.
She told me she laughed and thought, “Is Sarah watching me?” And then, when she listened to the song, she stopped. She said it felt like a divine intervention.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. –Psalm 34:18
I stayed connected with her on the phone for the rest of her drive. Though she was physically uncomfortable and tempted to stop at the nearest gas station or rest stop to purge, she didn’t. LM stayed with me. She got home and went to bed. She felt loved and she knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that only God could have orchestrated the timing of it all.
Setback, Not Defeat: God Intervenes a Binge Again
In the days that followed, I learned that LM had recently gone through some devastating life events. Suddenly, her setback made sense. The old pattern of using food and bulimia as a coping mechanism had crept back up during a storm of pain and survival.
I reminded her that it’s okay. Old patterns can resurface when life throws us curveballs. But God doesn’t want her to return to that place. Bulimia won’t fix the pain, it will only make it worse.
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! –Isaiah 43:18-19
LM’s Healthy Self spoke up. She asked if we could schedule some sessions to revisit key recovery skills and make sure she stayed grounded and didn’t relapse.
Of course. Without hesitation, I said yes.
Since that moment, LM has been bravely processing emotions and trauma that had gone unspoken. We’re walking together again, this time with a deeper sense of gratitude for how God intervened a binge in the most loving, unexpected way.
A Divine Assignment
It’s clear that God called both Bruce and me to step in and support LM precisely when she needed it most. What could have been a devastating relapse became a doorway to needed healing.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. –Romans 8:28
I’m honored, and so is my son, that God trusted us to be part of that moment.
You never know how God will use you. But one thing is certain. He’s always near, always listening, always working, even through the pain.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. –Psalm 34:17
Listen to “Lashes” – the song that changed everything
If you’re in the middle of something hard, I want to remind you. God sees you. He is always near.
And He can use anything, even poetry and a phone notification, to draw your heart back to His.
If you’re struggling with an eating disorder and want support from someone who gets it, I’d love to connect.
👉 Let’s Connect
