A perfect day?

So often I judge my day by my fitness log. Did I write down every morsel of food that graced my lips? Did my daily calorie count stay under 1665? Did I exercise? Did I walk the dog to make her happy and give me a few more calories burned? Although I feel great satisfaction when I'm successful at all these points of rule, I really need to ask myself if this is really what makes it a perfect day.

I believe there is much more to my life than these parameters. Did I listen for the Lord? Was I diligent in serving my family and my employer? Did I invite the Lord to share my day with me? Did I spend time reading His Word so that I am better able to discern His will for my life? Did I help a family member or friend or neighbor in need? Did I make my prayer requests be known to Him? Did I share the Gospel with a desperate world?

Help me to remember Lord that life is much bigger, much better, than my personal checklist. Does the checklist for my health matter? Absolutely! But, is it my life? Definitely not.

Life is overwhelming sometimes; but God's grace endures

Some days there are just too many things on my plate (figuratively speaking, of course!). Every day presents a new opportunity to tackle the task list - my job, personal Bible study, work-outs, staying in touch with friends and family, praying, cooking and eating in a healthy manner, watering and weeding the flower beds, Rainbow responsibilities, mom responsibilities and wife responsibilities. And then let's add in reading (I refuse to relegate this one to the "not to do list"), cooking, dishes, laundry, shopping, cleaning and running Annie's taxi. Oh yes, and let's not forget the dog - brushing, walking, playing, bathing and feeding. No wonder I never have time to pluck my eyebrows or balance my checkbook. And believe me, I'm looking forward to Annie having her own car someday soon, much to Tim's dismay, I am sure.

But this is ALL about life - living, breathing, interacting, reflecting God's grace and mercy. Mine is a full life and I have many choices. Thankfully the good choices outweigh the bad choices and somehow it all works out okay - and that brings me back to God's grace and mercy. He promises to give me beauty for ashes, and believe me, I'm standing here waiting to make the exchange every day.

One step back, two steps forward

This journey of my life is some kind of winding road. Sometimes I feel like I am going in circles, taking harrowing hairpin curves that seem to put me back about where I started and yet as I look out over the landscape I do see the scheme - slow and steady steps keeping my eye on the prize, not the setbacks.

The prize is a life well-lived - remembering who I am in Christ and what that means in my every day decisions - be that coming to grips with disappointments in my life, building better relationships with those I love and those I should love, how I face the challenges of change, and of course, incorporating daily healthy habits to keep this body working at optimum.

I started this journey more than a year and a half ago and I so mistakenly envisioned that I would accomplish all my goals quickly and succinctly. After all, I'm one of those list-making girls who likes to check it all off and get on to my next list. Well, surprise surprise, my life has thrown me a curve ball and I'm still on the same list. And, I still have LOTS of weight to lose. But I must not count this journey as a failure but rather a learning process.

During the first year, I constantly told myself that with God's help I will get this weight off. Now I appear to be hedging my bets - just hoping I will get the rest of this weight off. Old fears revisit me constantly...what if I fail again, what if I gain it all back. I want to recapture that spark - that belief that my creator cares even about this and will walk each and every step with me.

A wise friend reminded me that the evil one wants to steal our joy and convince us we can be defeated. I choose, instead, to arm myself with the full armor of God and move forward into battle - the battle for wholeness of mind, spirit AND body.

Put on the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:1