White hair and reflections

I pulled out a white hair today. White. Not gray.  Mine are white and wiry. It wasn't the first and it won't be the last.

The white hair caused me to reflect on my life.  Now in my mid-thirties, if you'd have told me that my life would end up the way it is now, I wouldn't have believed you.  Did I pray for my life to be like this? Yes.

So, why should I be surprised, right? Life is good.  I'm happily married to a man, whom, if I asked, wouldn't care about white hair.  I have a great job.  I have great kids, great family, and a great church.  And, yes, I am not naive enough to not realize that everyone's life didn't turn out so great.  I do not take my blessings for granted.  

But, about a year ago, I started a journey to become a better me.  Yes, it was nearly a year ago that I lost my precious grandmother.  I honor her by becoming the best me I can be.  For her.  For my family. But, mostly, I admit, for me.

But, you see, I'm selfish.  I want more.  I want to be like Mary Magdalene.

I've always been intrigued by her story in the bible.  Jesus healed her.  Yet, we know her name.  There are several healings that were mentioned in the Bible; yet the name of the individual was not named.  So, I repeat, we know her name! 

Not only that but, upon deliverance, she was faithful.  Faithful and holy.  She followed Jesus throughout his entire ministry and was the First person to see Jesus after his resurrection!  Talk about a First Lady!

So, I'm selfish.  I want to be a better me, but I want to be found faithful!

And, yes, secretly, I am proud of those white hairs...

even if I do pull them out.

White hair is a sign of maturation.  Maybe I'm just growing older, but maybe I'm growing wiser and closer to Christ.

My prayer for you...

Dear God,

I come to You in Jesus name.  I praise you for all that You are, all that You have been, all that You will be.  God, thank you for the blessings in my life.  Thank you for white hair and imperfections, because I know that in my flaws, Your Son has made me flawless.  I thank you for salvation.  God, I ask that You touch the readers.  Help them to see their blessings.  Help them to see You when life doesn't turn out the way they planned.  Help them to truly know You and our Savior.  God, minister to them, right now.  Help them to hear Your voice, to feel Your presence, and to simply be comforted.  Be comforted in the fact that You see beyond their imperfections, beyond the flaws, beyond their mistakes, You see them.  And, You know them.  The bible says that You know the hairs on our head, even the white ones.  So, let the reader know that You do indeed know them. And love them.  And, that they will come to know You and love You.  In Jesus mighty name I pray, Amen.

Be blessed,

Julie 

Holiday hectic?

If you've read this blog before or know anything about me, you know that I don't consider myself athletic, at all.

I can't do one push-up.  I can't do one chin-up.  Never could.

Phew, I feel better now that I've admitted that.  However, you also may know that I'm trying to make a better me.  This all started not long after the death of my grandmother, lost to the horrible beast known as cancer.  No, I will not make that word a proper noun.

In just a few weeks, it will be one year since my beloved Mamaw has made her residence in Heaven.  I miss her dearly and think of her often.  With that being said, I thought it was time for a new blog post.

December is a overly hectic month for me, as well as for most people reading this.  Don't get me wrong.  I absolutely adore Christmas and all things Christmasy.  In fact, I even had a Christmas wedding.

So for me, December is awesome, but hectic.  I'm a teacher, so I have classroom parties, field trips, school plays, choral performances, you name it. I'm a mom, so I also have classroom parties, field trips, school plays and performances, teacher gifts, and the list goes on.   I'm a church minister, so I have church plays, services, and parties there as well.

Not to mention, this month is my anniversary and the celebration of not only my son, but the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Am I complaining? No, I am too blessed to complain!  But, it does get hectic.  

Take today, for example.  I slept in, had breakfast with my kids, made Chrsitmas cookies, watched a Christmas movie, and made dinner for my husband.   I know what you are thinking... That doesn't sound hectic to me!  You are right! In fact, I was overly joyed with this day.  Few realize how few days like this that a teacher really gets in life.

But, even on this non-hectic day, I was busy playing a role, albeit a role I love.  I was a housekeeper, a wife, a mom.  None of these are roles that I take lightly. If you know me, you know that I don't do anything unless I can do it with all of my heart.

But, I was so hectic in my roles and making sure that life around me was perfect, that I didn't take time for me.

That was, until I received a phone call from my cousin.  Without going in to details, it got me thinking about my desire to pursue a REFIT® instructor's license.  So, while my almost-7 and 9 year olds had "me time" in their rooms (this idea started after they were too old to take naps), I did my REFIT® workout.  

It felt good. It had been too long.

Too many days of running around and making sure we have the perfect December.  Too many days of not taking time to take care of me.

God calls us to take care of ourselves.  God calls us to praise Him.

I will praise You!

For I am fearfully and wonderfully made!

Marvellous are Your Works!

And that my soul knows right well!

Psalms 139:14

Reader,

God bless you on this Christmas season!  When you are feeling holiday hectic, may you find the ultimate peace in Jesus Christ!  May you find time to take care of your family, appreciate your blessings, take care of yourself, and ultimately, remember the Reason for the Season!

Merry Christmas!

~Julie

Plateaus

Ever reach a plateau?  A plateau is defined as a state in which there is little to no change.  Often, this term is used with fitness and weight loss.  I'm at a plateau.  

So, I decided to go back to logging my day (in a journal) and then blogging about it.  It keeps me focused.  Want to know what I log?  Well, because I don't consider myself a "fitness" person, I log what is important to me.  So, not only do I log my food, workout, and water intake; I also log my scripture reading.  Remember, I'm trying to make a better me!

Woke up: 4:18 a.m.

Water intake: check (take your body weight, divide in half=how much water you should be drinking daily)

Workout: 45 minutes 

Scripture: Psalm 119:81-96; John 16; 2 Samuel 1:1-16

Breakfast-vitamins, pre-workout drink, oatmeal with berries, and Spark (energy drink)

Snack-carrots and bell peppers with dip

Lunch-chicken and kale on a wrap

Snack-pizza (at an after-school meeting-this one wasn't on the original plan)

Dinner-Magherita pizza (basil, tomato, mozzarella), vitamins

Bed time: 9:40 p.m.

Why scripture? Well, just as you can reach a plateau in fitness and weight loss, you can reach a plateau in your journey as a Christian.  I think this is why I like David of the Bible so much.  God saw David as a man after God's own heart.  But, David had highs and lows.  He had plateaus, mountain tops, and slopes.  Yet, he was constantly calling on God.

Dear reader, you can reach a plateau in your fitness journey.  But, you can also reach a plateau in your Christian walk if you are not reading your Bible and calling out to God (praying) like David did.

There is hope. You see, the word plateau has another definition too.  It is also defined as an "area of high level ground". We are privileged because we have hope in Christ Jesus.  Let's not let us get so wrapped up in our fitness or our lives that  we don't allow Him to take us to higher ground.

Go!

"Go, Mommy, Go! Don't give up!"

This is what I heard from my six year old, who was laying on the bed watching tv while I worked out.  I didn't realize he was paying attention.  But, he was.

In the journey to health and fitness, others may be watching.  Those who say, "I don't exercise."  Well, they are watching too.  And, while my journey may include whole foods, exercise, vitamins, and energy drinks, it also includes my Bible, a devotional, a journal, and prayer time.  I hope that those watching can see that too!

You see, God does call us to take care of our bodies, as well as our spirits.  Our body is the home that God has given us to live in temporarily until He calls us home.  A healthier, active body is a body that is better prepared to fulfill the Great Commission:  "Go and teach all the nations" (Matt. 28:19).  Did you see that word?  Most of us focus on the word "all" and then line up a list of excuses:  God, how can I reach all?

But, that's not the focus!!  The focus is "Go!"

Get up!  Go!  God never promised anything would be easy!  In fact, He pretty much said the opposite.  Things like "burdens" or "cross to bear" or "persecution" hinder us!!  But, God calls us!  God has chosen us!  Now is the time for us to MOVE where He has called us to be! 

Are you ready?  Are you ready to get in an hour of cardio?  Run that mile? Maybe just start eating healthier?  Read your Bible more?  Reach your personal milestone? Are you ready to be the best you, so you can be the best for Him?  Take the challenge and take it one step at a time!  One day at a time!  I encourage you to get stronger physically AND spiritually!

Go!

Clouds

This morning, on my way to work, I saw the clouds.  I mean, I really saw the clouds as what they are--a masterpiece created by God, Himself.

It was in that simple, small moment that I realized I'd faultered.  The Bible speaks of a "slow fade" into sin.  Was I a sinner? Well, of course, for all sin daily and repent daily.  In the book of Song of Solomon, it states that it's the foxes that spoil the vineyard, meaning that it's the small things that will ruin something.  

I'd grown "too busy" and indifferent.  I was just living life and life was good.  But, I wasn't at the heart of who I am in God, of who I am in Christ Jesus.  

Moreover, I'd gained some of my weight back.  I wasn't eating as healthy.  Even on the verge of beginning my first exercise class as an instructor, I seemed to have lost my enthusiasm.

My family life-great.  My work life-great.   But, while looking at those clouds, I realized that I had taken my eyes off of the Son!

Reader, maybe you've gone into a slump like I was!  Hebrews 6:12 warns us not to be lazy in the ways of the Lord, but to have faith and patience and lay hold on the promises of the Lord.  

When lost at sea, He is our Compass.  When drowning in life's <fill in the blank here>, He is our Life Savor.  When tossing to and fro, He is our Anchor!

Yesterday, my family decided to get back on track with our healthy eating.  Today, I am getting back on track with the path that God is leading me through. And, my prayers are that you, my dear reader, will also always be able to find your way home to Him.

Love and prayers,

Julie 

You are more than a to do list

Luke 10 tells the story of Mary and Martha.  Jesus visited these two sisters.  Mary sat at Jesus' feet all day long and just listened to His Word.  Martha went about playing hostess, cleaning house, and busying herself with the "things that needed to be done."

To be honest, if it were me, I would be like Martha, even though I desire to be Mary.  I am a get-the-job-done type person.  I am known for my reliability and ability to make and accomplish tasks.

Yet, I am more than a to do list.  It doesn't define who I am!  

You are not a to do list!  Even as I pondered on this subject on the drive home from work.  When I got home, I had dinner, did laundry, washed dishes, made sure my kids had homework and baths done, and graded papers.  All before I sat down to read my bible!  Yes, I'm a Martha!

But, it doesn't have to be!  Dear reader, you are more than what is required of you!  You are a daughter of the Most High!  You have a royal legacy and know the Maker of the rain!  Allow Him to calm the storm within you and raging around you.

Do you have unfinished laundry and toys lying all over your floor?  Is your bed not made?  Your paperwork incomplete?  Maybe, your to do list is not fully checked off?

I know mine isn't!  Life is about balance and I'm learning what's important:  God and my family... All other things come second, even as much as I may love them and love that feeling of accomplishment when I get something done.  

Allow God to set your balance.  He wants all of you, but He is a gracious God and a Gentleman.  Trust in His presence.

Pursue

My husband was very persistent when he was courting me.  He gave me random presents, paid for my haircut, and even stood outside a women's restroom one time when I was sick.  At one point,  I even told him that I didn't want to date him.   But, he was pursuing me.

Even before that, I focused on getting my college education.  I didn't date much.  I wanted to focus on college.  See, I was pursuing my dream to become a teacher.

Within this last year, I have pursued a quest in becoming a healthy version of me!  Today, I even ordered my Refit Instructor package!

But, what does it mean to truly pursue something?  The dictionary says that to pursue something means that you chase after something until you catch it!

The bible speaks of a heart that pursues.

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.  1 Timonty 6:11-12

Do you pursue after these things mentioned in Timothy? Are you chasing after righteousness and godliness until you catch them. Until. You. Catch. Them.

The bible often uses the word "selah", which means "think about it".  

So, think about it.  Do you pursue after the things of God like you do the things of this world?  Your relationships? Your work? Your success in life?  It's okay if you don't always do this.  So many times, we excuse our behavior because we are embarrassed by our mistakes.  Yet, King David of the Bible was an adulterer, a man who acted crazy, and a man who sent another innocent man to his death.  Yet, David went on to become "a man after God's own heart" and the author of the most beautiful prayers and my personal favorite book, the book of Psalms.

So, no more excuses.  Pursue after God's righteousness and holiness.  I promise you won't be disappointed.  God never moves from us.  He is stable and unable to fail.  Seek Him until you catch Him.