She is clothed in strength

"She is clothed with strength and dignity and she can laugh without fear of the future"

~Proverbs 31:25

I started teaching fitness classes this week.  Fitness classes + eating healthier = a stronger, better me.    Within the last 3 weeks, I'd say I am down about 5 pounds.  Within the last week alone, I logged in about 5 1/2 hours of fitness and workout time, Monday through Friday alone.

So, picture this.  I am, not only feeling healthy, but feeling strong.  Dressed in workout clothes, for some strange reason,  I decide to do my weekly grocery shopping first.  Not wanting to change, because I know I'll do a workout when I return, I wear my workout gear to the grocery store.  So, picture me:  no makeup (I wear very little anyway), cap, workout clothes, high-tops, and my Love and the Outcome's "He is with us" off-the-shoulder sweater.  Yeah, I'm totally rocking the mid-thirties mom look.  And, I'm feeling good and strong.  Not to mention, I hear some of my REFIT® songs on the radio and I am totally jamming. 

That is, until I pass the funeral home.  The same funeral home that took such great care of my grandmother a year and a half ago.  And, I'm talking, immediate tears.  I remember her final week.  I remember her voice.  I remember how much I miss her.

Then, almost immediately, I hear a song on the radio, speaking about how strength doesn't come from this Earth, but comes from the Lord.  So, while I may feel stronger, I realize that my strength doesn't come from how many hours I workout or how well I take care of my body, even though all of those things are important.  My strength is found Jesus Christ and my relationship with Him as my Savior.

The Proverbs 31 woman...yes, she was strong and she took care of the things that were hers to take care of on this world.   But, I'm pretty sure that she realized where her strength came from too.  That, alone, is why she was able to laugh without fear of the future.  She knew who held her future.

Goals becoming Reality

Who sets goals?  Financial goals? Relationship goals?  Fitness goals?  In fact, the term goals has been used a lot online and in social media lately.  Everyone has a goal, right?

Well, over a year ago, after watching my grandmother pass away due to pancreatic cancer, my goal was simply to live better: a journey to a better me.  That's what this blog was all about.  It was my online journal, marking my progress, and hopefully encouraging others along the way.

What began with finding awesome Christian songs to workout to (REFIT® YouTube Channel), led to a certification to become what is called a "fitness expert".  Me?  The girl who abhorred PE as a child (I am an elementary teacher, so don't tell our wonderful PE teacher this!!) The girl who got a "C" in wellness class in college, because I simply wouldn't attend.  The girl who "ran" a mile in 17 minutes when I was younger.  (My husband--who is an avid runner--says, "what did you do? crawl?".)  Me?  A "fitness expert"?  In dance?  The girl who grew up as a wallflower at school dances.  The girl who was named "most bashful" my senior year!

But, I found a home in REFIT ®.  I got certified to teach this revolutionary faith-infused dance fitness class!  Yes, I'm out of my comfort zone.  But, my goals are becoming my reality.  Wonderful words from REFIT® stand out to me:

"REFIT isn't for the fit, it's for the willing."

"REFIT feels like home."

"It's not about being graceful, but grace-filled."

"REFIT is for the flawed, not the flawless."

Yes, I'm out of my comfort zone.  Yes, I'll make mistakes.  But,  I have a heart for people and the heart of REFIT® is community!  So, traditional encouragement also come to mind:

"Great things never come from comfort zones."

"One day what you struggle to achieve will become your warm-up."

"A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there."

But, for me, I look to my Savior and my God and His Word for the most encouragement.

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from which comes my help!  My help comes from the Lord, which made heaven and Earth." ~ Psalm 121:1-2

"And whatsoever you do, do it with your whole heart. " ~Colossians 3:23

"Let them praise His name in the dance...For the Lord takes pleasure in His people." Psalm 149:3-4

So, here I am. Over a year later.  I'm imperfect, flawed, and, yes, out of my comfort zone.  But, I'm going to look to the hills and to my Savior.  I'm going to love Him with all my heart.  And, I'm going to dance and praise His name!  And get REFIT ®!!

Are you ready to join me?

Maybe make your goals become your reality?

You were made for such a time as this.  You are enough.   You are beautiful.  You are an overcomer. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.  You are stronger than you'll ever know and YOU have the ability to impact others.

Lots of love,
Julie
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