Burn Bright

Wow!  Is it ever confession time?  I did my workout after skipping several days and it was HARD.  I've got to get better at this!  I'm happy to say, though, that I'm maintaining my weight loss.  I'm trying not to get discouraged because my weight isn't changing (going down) even though I know it's only a number and only one way of measuring success.  

How can I complain when I know I'm not exercising as much or watching my food intake like I was.  It's not bad....I've only had...maybe..2 or 3 sweet teas in several months and absolutely no pop (northern word...in the South everything's a Coke!)

How can I expect things to change if I don't change what I'm doing?  If you (I) expect more results, you (I) need to do more.  If you (I) expect different results, you (I) need to do things differently. 
Simple enough, right?

As far as Proverbs 31, today I reflect on motherhood.  Today, I took a half day off of work to be mom (the kiddos had dental appointments).  We went to eat, to the local bookstore, and ended up at the little league park for ballgames (the first ones that I've been free enough to attend!).  Now, don't get my wrong, I absolutely adore my job and have never desired to be a stay-at-home mom.  (I'm not bashing that, though, because that's a personal call and all us mommies need to stick together!) However, it was nice to be able to spend the majority of my day just being mom.

"Her children arise up, and call her blessed..." ~Proverbs 31: 28

Moms, your kiddos are watching what you do.  It's all well-and-good to tell them what to do and what not to do.  But, you (I) need to live it out each and every day.  You were made to shine, so, burn bright!  Your kiddos are basking in your sunlight.  Even on your cloudiest day, they need to see the YOU that God created you to be. You are great.  So, burn bright!

You might be thinking...How can I burn bright and give it my all when I'm so close to burning out.  Here's some strategies that I've found that work to avoid this I'm-too-tired-too-busy-everyone's-demanding-too-much-of-my-time-burnout:  Ladies, find you a support system...and not just your significant other.  Find some girlfriends.  Find a local church. Make and keep your "me time"...even if it is simply locking yourself in the bathroom to take a bubble bath.... You were made to shine.  No one can do your job better than you.  You cannot be replaced.  Burn bright! Brighter than the sun!

Notes: As you can tell, I absolutely love music!  The songs above, while about burning/bright/sunlight/etc., may not necessarily be about motherhood.  Yes, I realize that.  The first song, by Natalie Grant, is a beautiful, powerful song.  Listen to the lyrics of it and be truly blessed. Allow God to minister to you through Mrs. Grant.  

The second song would not even be considered in the Christian genre (of which all of the songs I've posted have been).  But, I think it's a fun, summer song.  Simple enough.  Nothing deep.  It just makes me smile, and that's okay.  Burn bright, ladies.  

Being a Christian wife in this modern world

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loves the church..."

As a Christian woman, I absolutely love this scripture.  My husband should love me as much as Christ, Himself, loves the church?!?! Wow!  Yet, why is it so hard to follow all the other mandates that are written for Christian wives?  Especially in the world we live in?

Perhaps it is because of words like "obey" and "submit", that are written in God's Holy Word .  Once declared in marital vows, the word "obey" has even been taken out of those.  Why?  I can't even tell you if they were in my marital vows.

This is a touchy subject in our modern day world.  In a quest to be independent and equal to men, we have somehow viewed these Godly qualities as degrading.  

I am not perfect, by any means.  I also consider myself independent.  However, in my quest to become more like that Proverbs 31 woman, I want to follow God's guidelines for being a Spiritual wife.

**I will submit (Ephesians 5:22 and 1 Peter 3:1).  

The word, submit, doesn't not mean that I'm inferior.  It means that I will go with him voluntarily. Just as found in the book of Ruth, "Where you go, I will go....where you stay I will stay..."  He will be my confidant, and I, his.  (Side thought: Ephesians 5:22 is a scripture many women struggle with.  Yet, the next ELEVEN scriptures give guidelines for the husband!  Food for thought.)

**I will keep the heart of my husband. He can trust in me.  (Proverbs 31: 11)

**I will do him good, not evil, for all of my life. (Proverbs 31:12)

**I will be reverent to my husband. (Ephesians 5:33)

This is my promise.  Will I be perfect? Well, of course not.  Ask my husband and he will not tell you that he has a perfect wife.  I am stubborn and very opinionated.  I get overly-emotional about mundane things and worry about things that I cannot control.   But, he can tell you that his wife honors him and the God we serve.

Women, be encouraged.  We are not perfect.  But, God is calling us to be just that, in every way possible.  Did you accidentally land on this blog, thinking it would be about fitness?  Yes, fitness is a part of my journey.  But, this is a journey to become a better version of myself, in all aspects of my life.

I know this may not apply to all readers...you may say "I'm single" or may even be a male reader.  God has guidelines for all of us...women, men, single, married...we just have to be willing to obey them.  I only touched on one area and I also realize that this is a touchy area for some...Please be encouraged.  Life can be difficult and God's word is strict, but He is also our Encourager and our Peace.

Are you here just for the fitness?  I'm still at it.  I've decided to go back to journaling to keep track of my water intake, food intake, exercise, and scripture reading.  Today wasn't the best day.  I had a donut this morning, as well as a cupcake and pasta.  But, I did my exercises...even if it was 10:00 at night, after everything else was done.  I write all of this to let you know that I'm just an ordinary woman living an ordinary life.  And, yes, sometimes life gets in the way of life.  But, I'm trying.  I'm trying to be the best me by becoming a better wife, a better mother, and a better me.  I encourage you to stay on this journey with me....

and to start one of your own...

Today's about encouragement

Good morning!  Well, it's morning where I am right now, as I sit and reflect on things.   It's a Saturday morning and today's about encouragement.

I arose before my family and did my morning workout, breakfast outside on the porch, and reading my Bible.

For those of you who have been reading this blog, you may say...well that's nothing new...because many of your posts began that way.  Well, let me tell you a secret.  I've been inconsistent lately.  I would do that a day, but then it would be 2 or 3 or 4 days until I would do it again.  My husband even told me that he thought I might be giving up.  I am not giving up.  So, let me get back to this morning.

As I was sitting outside on my porch (which is something I rarely do, even though I find it adorable with old wooden rocking chairs that were from the same place I had my wedding reception) I was reminded of something that I read on social media.  Here it is:

That's right, I've made mistakes and lately, my progress as been slow.  But, I'm still trying.  I exercise, although currently not daily, but I'm working on it.  I eat healthier.  I had one sweet tea the other day and couldn't finish it!  This comes from a person who liked to have tea with her sugar!  I was also unable to finish a frappe because I thought it was too sweet!

***

Let's face it.  I'm busy.  Most women are.  (Men are too, but it's a different kind of busy.)  Lately, I've been finalizing my graduate study.  I graduate with my Master's degree soon.  So, my free time isn't free; it's just time I use to work on something else.  

So, if you're like me, there are days in which you wear so many hats that you think they'll come tumbling down.  It's like that act in which they are spinning plates.  Some days, I have so many hats that I feel like the peddler in the kid's book, Hats for Sale.   From someone who considers herself fairly good at multitasking, please don't give up.  What you're do is already way ahead of those who aren't even trying!

The same goes for your Spiritual walk.  Yes, I pray every day.  Are they the best, most "religious" prayers? No.  My prayer is usually a conversation with God, like I would with you.  Some days, He talks back.  Some days, He just listens.  But, the point is, is that I have those conversations and I know He's there.

I do continue to read my Bible.  Has it been every day?  Unfortunately, like the exercise thing, no. But, I am making an effort.  Are you Christian?  Do you read and pray every day?  Yes, this is what the Bible commands.  Yet, if you're like me, and you can say no, I encourage you to not give up in this endeavor either.  What you're doing is more than someone who is not trying.  And, I personally believe that God knows where your heart lies and will honor your effort.  Do we all get "A's for effort"?  Well, of course not.  But, no one ever earns anything by standing still.  "No, we won't stand still!"

And, one last bit of encouragement.  One reason for starting this blog and journey to a better me was that it was inspired by my Mamaw.  Well, lately, I've been missing her.  This was the closest person to me that I've ever lost.  Even though, I know she's in a better place, it doesn't change the hurt.  So, in my morning Bible reading, I stumbled across these words (don't you just love it when God does that?) and these are in red, so that's the important Jesus-speaking stuff.  If you're hurt, confused, heartbroken, or discouraged, listen to what Jesus has to say only shortly before He is crucified:

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." ~John 14:18

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." ~John 14:27

It's a good Friday

Good morning!  It's a good Friday.  As I wake up today, it's gloomy, dark, and raining outside.  But, it's a good Friday.    I can't help thinking that this is what the original Good Friday was like so many years ago.

On that Good Friday, Christ Jesus sacrificed Himself for our sins.  He, who had not sinned and was Perfect, made the Ultimate Sacrifice.  I've often wondered why we call it good Friday.  I'm sure there's a reason because everything has a reason.  (As logical as I am sometimes, you'd think I'd favor science over faith....but, I don't.)  

As Jesus walked on Earth during His approximate 33 years, I've also often wondered how could they kill Him?  But, no one killed Him.  He gave Himself for us.  By His stripes, we are healed.  By His sacrifice for our sins, we are saved!

So, on this Good Friday, it is a good Friday because this is the day we remember the Crucifixion. When Christ sacrificed Himself on the cross, the world became dark, much like today, both figuratively and literally.  But, light is coming on Resurrection Sunday!

So, it's been several days since I ended my Advocare 24 day challenge.  I'm sure you're wondering how I'm maintaining.  The only Advocare product I kept was the Spark, which is the drink that gives caffeine without sugar.  Yes, in over 30 days, I've had no soda pop or sweet tea!!

I've continued to do my workout.  Not every day, but not giving up either.  My husband bought me the Refit Revolution DVD.  Yesterday, I did all 12 songs.  Today, I only did 6.  I also do my strength training exercises (weights, planks, sit-ups/scrunches).  On average, I do about 9 songs cardio and about 10-15 minutes of strength training. 

I've maintained my weight loss; even a little more, I guess, because my total weight loss is a little over 10 lbs.  I read that women need to stop looking at weight and the weight of others.  This isn't about weight loss.  This isn't about beauty or sex appeal, either.  It's about a healthier, better me. Weight loss is only one way of measuring success and the physical attributes are only one part of what makes me, me.  As a mommy, my daughter watches what I do. Yes, she watches when I weigh in or workout.  But, she also watches when I read my Bible and lay on my back, worshiping God.  

And, what about food?  The key is moderation and the ability to say no.  I've still tried to make healthier choices.  But, I've also had ice cream and cheesecake (not on the same day).  To me, being healthy doesn't mean being unrealistic.  I love sweets and bread.  I'm not going to live the rest of my life without them.  I now know that I could, but I don't want to.   But, I'm not going to eat them every day, every meal.

I hope you and yours have a blessed Easter weekend.  Remember, He is the Reason for this Season, too!  God bless.

Day 25: It's over but it's not over

Today makes day 25 of the journey to a better me.  That means the Advocare 24 day challenge is over.   It's over.  But, it's not over.  Want to know my "results"?  Read on.

At the end of this first stage of my challenge, I've been reflecting on that Proverbs 31 woman.  Being raised in church, I know that so many women's ministries, women's conferences, and women--in general--hold the Proverbs 31 woman to be the perfect example.  I know I do.

Yet, as I think upon my imperfections, I think about her.  Who was she really?  Was that her reality every day?  Every day, her husband praised her?  Every day, her children called her blessed?  Every day, she was the epitome of kindness?  Every day, she took care of the poor?  Every day, she worked and gave it her ALL?  

All you and I can do is take the Bible for what it is.  The truly inspired Word of God.  

But, if you're like me, you're human.  You are perfectly flawed; yet, created in His Image.  You are perfectly imperfect, made perfect and completed--not by what you do or who you are or who you're in a relationship with--but made perfect only through Christ Jesus. 

So, maybe you're not the Proverbs 31 woman.  Maybe you're the woman at the well, who has done so much wrong that she thinks she's not worthy of Christ or anything.  Maybe you're Martha and too busy taking care of things to sit at Jesus' feet. (This is where I am on more days that I should be!) Maybe you're Sarah and want to solve the problems and not wait on God.  (I've been there too!) Maybe you're Job's wife and just want to give up.  Hold on.  There is hope.

Like you, I strive to be the Proverbs 31 woman.  But, I strive, even more, to be like Christ.

"Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ." ~Philippians 3:8 NLT

In this journey to be like the Proverbs 31 woman and to become a better me,  I've realized my shortcomings and my flaws.  We all do this, but it seems that women sometimes do this more.  This is not a stereotype, but an observation from living the life I've led.  I didn't exercise every day.  I didn't read my Bible every day.  I didn't blog every day.  There were days that I even missed church services.  I'm not perfect.  At the end of the day, all my imperfections make me who I am.  They make you who are.  Is your laundry not finished? (Is it ever?)  Is your baby crying and you sometimes just want to cry with him(her)?  Maybe you said unkind words, simply out of tiredness? It happens.  We--women (and men!)--are not perfect.  But you can be made perfect.  You can be covered in salvation.  Are you ready?  Lord, I'm ready now!

God, in Heaven, I pray for these women and men who have taken just a moment out of their day, to show interest in mine.  Maybe they are reading this to see what my weight loss is.  Maybe they are my family and just showing support for me.  But, God, You have called me to share this journey with others so that I may share You and Your Grace.  God touch them.  Help them to realize that they are not perfect, but that they don't have to be.  Your Grace is sufficient for all.  Meet them where they are.  Comfort them.  Help them to be ready to accept You as Lord and Savior, as You accept their imperfect selves.  We thank You for all that You do, but more importantly all that You are.  You are our everything.  In Jesus name we pray, Amen


And, for those who are helping me monitor my progress.  My total weight loss in 24 days is 9.4 lbs and 9 1/2 inches.  Do I feel amazing every day?  No.  But, I feel confident in who I am.  I've realized I need to spend more time for me (and that's okay!) and more time with Him.  Advocare is over but this journey is not over.  Stay blogged in.  I have a plan for my future self...

Day 22

This whole process is changing me!  (I guess that was the intent, right?)  Some days, I'm not sure it's for the better!  (This is a joke)  I do believe that my love of sweets is changing.  I am still on track, but those times when I've tasted of something sugary, it hasn't been as good as it "use to be".

Like today.  I bought frozen chocolate-covered bananas.   My plan was to have them in a few days (on day 25)...as my reward.  Kind of counter-productive, isn't it?  However,  my daughter didn't want hers today so I "tried" it.  Even though it was dark chocolate (which I'm not a fan of, by the way), it was very sweet and I ended up trading it for some kale/carrot/spinach chips.  Sigh.  Who am I?

I haven't given up, though.  I've just been, well, tired.  You know those days where you work really hard at one thing (like work) and the other (like housework) doesn't get done, or not done as much?That's been me, lately. My multi-tasking superpower has faded somewhat this week.

But, I'm not quitting.  Granted, I didn't exercise yesterday or this morning.  Yet, when I got home, I had my third work-out shirt ever given to me as a gift.  

My alma mater!  My husband wanted to encourage me because I'd been working so hard.  I needed the encouragement today.  I was reminded of a scripture:

"I count not myself to have apprehended;

But this one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind

and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded,

God shall reveal even this unto you." ~Philippians 3:13-15

And, I did my workout: complete with scrunches, planks, weights, and 9 Refit songs.  Let me say that again, 9!!!!  I began with, what? 2 or 3?  I've also been ending the workout with some worship songs, where I just lay down, and give praise/thanks to God.  It's a good time.  I've got my eye on the prize. I press on.

Are you still curious about my food intake?  Yep, I'm still on track.  It's day 22 of the Advocare 24 day challenge...that means in 3 days, it's a weigh-in/measure day!

Here's what I ate today:

Breakfast: Advocare Shake
Lunch: Salad with grilled chicken and boiled eggs
Dinner: Grilled porkchop, homemade potato chips, and wheat bread
Snacks: Berries, granola, banana


Are you like me?  Do you need encouragement, like my husband was to me today?  Try this on for size (one of my favorite scriptures):

"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, 

what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink;

nor yet for your body,

what ye shall put on.

Is not the life more than meat,

and the body more than raiment?

But, seek ye first the kingdom of God,

and His righteousness;

and all these things shall be added unto you." ~Matthew 6: 25, 33

Day 18

Hi all!  It's been a few days since I've been able to post.  It's not because I've stopped working on my faith and fitness.  It's just because life happens. 

Today makes day 18 of the Advocare 24 day challenge and my own challenge to myself to become a Proverbs 31 woman in the best way possible, which started as a tribute to my Mamaw.  Today, I was with my granddaddy when he was talking to someone about her.  I had to look away because I didn't want to let him know I still cry over her. 

That brings me to my Bible reading today.   Today I read 1 Sam 21 and John 11:1-44.  In John, I'm to the part where Lazarus has died.  This is the only time in the Bible (to my knowledge) that it mentions Jesus, Himself, crying.  I believe God wrote this story down to encourage us to believe in miracles.  Verse 15 says:

"And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe;

nevertheless let us go unto him."

Jesus loved Lazarus so much that He mourned for him.  Yet, here He tells the disciples that he's glad he wasn't there.  If Jesus was there when Lazarus was sick, He could have healed him.  But, he wanted the disciples to believe that He is the Resurrection. 

As Jesus goes to Lazarus, Martha basically says, "You're late.  If you'd been here, he wouldn't have died".  Now, we all know that He's an on-time God, so just hold on.  Later in the chapter, Mary says the same thing, "If you'd have been here, Lazarus would be alive".  And, a third time, Martha says, "he's already been dead 4 days!" 

Jesus was on time.  You see He raised Lazarus.  He, Himself, conquered the grave at the Cross.  Believers will once again be Resurrected into a Heavenly Jubilee one day.  Ready to get your worship on?

My prayer for you:  God, our Father, we know that you are an on-time God.  We know that You are Jehovah Jireh, our Provider.  You are Jehovah Shalom, our Peace and Jehovah Rapha, our Healer.  You are Jehovah Shammah, our ever-present help in time of need.  God, I know so many that are in need right now.  They've heard bad news at the doctor.  They've heard bad news in their professional lives.  They've heard bad news in their personal lives.  God, only You know what we need and have the power to surpass any bad news that we may hear.  God, strengthen us.  Strengthen those that need help, guidance, healing, and wisdom to make decisions when times are hard.  You said You won't leave us or forsake us.  God, we ask that you confirm your presence in our lives so when that bad news comes, we all can say, "God, this is rough, but I know You've got this".  We thank You for all you've done.  We thank You for sending Your Son that gives us hope for the future through Salvation.  Most of all, we thank You for who You are.  in Jesus' mighty Name we pray, Amen.

****

Today's Menu

Breakfast--Chocolate Meal Replacement Shake

Lunch--Chicken sub on wheat bread

Dinner--Venison meatballs with roasted cauliflower

Snacks--Sunchips (these chips have the best ingredients I've found), pear, apples with all-natural peanut butter, and kiwi (3 snacks per day)

****

I wanted to get all the Bible reading and exercise done in the morning, as is mentioned in Proverbs 31..when it talks about the woman rising early.  Yet, today, I was sick.  I didn't go to work, slept until 9, and ended up going to the doctor.  (All is well--just an allergic reaction that required a shot).  

That being said, I ended up doing my work out at night--about 10:00 to be exact.  I did weights, scrunches, planks, and 7 (yes, 7!!!!) Refit songs from my Playlist!!  Afterwards, I played a worship song and laid on the floor, just praising God.  It wasn't that bad to be so late in the evening.  Here's what I posted on my Facebook page after taking my first-ever post-workout picture.  Isn't that the thing to do on social media?

"Not-so-beautiful, post-Refit photo.  But, it's not about beauty.  It's about fitness and faith.

10:00...I should be in bed...Yet, I missed my workout this morning, because I was sick.

Carpe Diem.  Today's the day to change your life!"

P.S.  I really mean what I say about it not being a beauty-thing.  I've never been into beauty or fashion.  But, because I wanted this process to be the purest, best form of myself, I even didn't wear make-up for the first 10-11 days of the challenge.  I don't wear a lot of make-up anyway, so I think only my daughter noticed.  

Be you.  Be beautiful as God created you.  He created You in His image.  You're body is a temple.  Why not take care of it?  You're every bit of lovely.