Handmade By God: Freedom from anorexia

By Heidi Shirra

‘Wow! What a touching story, there are a lot of girls who are going through what Heidi went through and this book will touch their hearts as it touched mine’
Pastor Stuart Elliot, former Hull City player

‘Heidi’s story isn't dissimilar to the increasing number of young people who are developing eating disorders in order to conform to the unrealistic expectations that society presents to them.
In this book Heidi shares her own story and a selection of bible passages that teach us some essential truths about how God feels about us and how we often need to face up to the lies society tells us and come back to our loving Father who accepts, welcomes and calls us just as we are.
I hope that people reading this book will realise that ultimate satisfaction in who we are comes from accepting that God, our creator, has made us who we are and that our self-esteem and self-worth needs to be rooted in Him.’
Mark Tiddy, Youth Leader

This is a lovely introduction to the walk of faith in which we learn to lean on the Lord Jesus. It will prove to be a valuable book for those searching for a closer walk with Him.
Sharon Edwards, BBC Reporter

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gilead Books Publishing
• Release date: Jun 5, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476424927

Heidi Shirra

Now a nursing student, 21 year old Heidi shares her story of how she was healed of Anorexia. She reflects on bible verses that helped her to realise that her identity and value comes from the fact that we are handmade by God and not from the distorted self image eating disorders create.

Book preview

My name is Heidi, 5ft5, 21 years old, enjoy dancing, lying in at weekends and having a drink at the pub with friends on Fridays, so pretty normal, but I’ve come to learn that there is no ‘normal’ when it comes to life.

When I was 18 I faced the daunting decision of what to do with my life. I could go to university and get a degree, go on to have a well paid job, marry the man of my dreams, live in a wonderful Victorian house and have lots of children. Of course there was always the other option of stepping straight into the big wide world to find a job. This option was tempting: no more studying, earning my own money, but as my parents were quick to point out, it’s hard work. University is a once in a lifetime experience and why would I want to miss out on that? So, needless to say, I took the more appealing option and I decided to go to university.

I was leaning towards studying teaching, having always loved children and completed work experience in a primary school. I researched the qualifications you would need and tailored my A’levels to ensure I would be eligible to apply. After a while I found myself wondering if I really wanted to spend my life in a ‘sensible’ job. I had always loved dancing, both performing and in church, and thought I was quite good (if I do say so myself). At the last minute I changed my mind and went for dancing, a more risky option perhaps but, I thought, what better than to spend three years doing what I love? Thankfully I passed all 4 subjects and got the grades I needed. I was in, I was going to