An Eater’s Agreement

At Charis, an Eater’s Agreement is a personal declaration written by a patient that marks a pivotal step in their journey toward healing. It is a commitment to nourish the body in trust and obedience, choosing recovery and truth over the lies of the eating disorder while honoring their body, following their treatment plan, and leaning on faith and support throughout the process. We invite you to read the words of one of our courageous patients, who chose to take this brave step toward freedom and wholeness.

I am a human being —

fearfully and wonderfully made by God,

shaped with divine intention,

as a body designed not only to survive,

but to live.

To move, feel, serve, and grow.

This body is not a burden,

but a beloved creation —

a living, breathing vessel entrusted to me

by the One who knows every hair on my head

and every beat of my heart.

I am a spirit in a body that hungers —

not only for food,

but for meaning, connection, beauty, and purpose.

Today and every day, I choose to nourish myself in honor of the life I have been given.

I will not wait to be perfect to nourish myself.

I will not wait to know everything before I trust this process.

When fear or perfection whispers, I return to truth:

I do not need the eating disorder to be safe.

I need Jesus.

He has fought my battles,

and He is fighting for me now.

I do not walk this alone.

Even in weakness, I am held.

Because of Him,

I approach eating not with punishment, restriction, or control,

but with a willingness to receive:

To receive strength, resilience, and the energy to become who I am called to be.

I eat with thanksgiving —

in reverence for the plants and animals whose lives make mine possible,

honoring their sacrifice with presence, not guilt.

I eat so that I may think clearly, move freely, explore boldly, and live fully.

So that I may mother others in love,

nurture with empathy,

empower with courage,

and remain rooted in community, not isolation.

But to feed others, I must first be fed.

When anxiety grips me,

when I ache with painful memories,

when shame tries to silence me — 

I will not vanish.

I will not turn against myself.

Instead, I will stay.

I will cradle the fear,

listen to the ache,

and offer myself gentleness instead of judgment.

I will meet my needs with kindness and truth —

because I am worth the care I give.

I will feed myself because I matter.

Because healing is holy.

Because I have work to do in this world –  

love to give, people to hold, dreams to realize.

This is my agreement — a sacred promise between my soul, my body, and my God. 

I eat because I am alive.

I eat because I belong.

I eat because I was made for more.