Here We Go!!!!
Good Morning Girls! Are you all ready? I am telling you, I am soooooo excited. Today's message is 2 part. First, I want to take a moment to share with you what I am going to do and why. Then I want to help you identify a goal for you to work on. Now, if you feel overwhelmed at the thought of any of this, it's okay. Just come along for the ride, and hop on board at any time!
The other day a friend of mine asked me "When you look in the mirror what do you see?" I thought a moment and I said something like "Well, I see parts that I like, and I see parts that need improvement." I was speaking mainly about my external appearance. Even though the exchange was brief, it remained in the back of my mind. Later that evening I tortured myself as I often do by standing naked in front of my bathroom mirror. I am still amazed at the wrinkley skin above my c-section scar. Then I move up to the areas above my hips and play with my "love handles". To finish off the self- loathing I pick up a mirror and turn around to check out my "back- fat"....what is up with that stuff anyway? Then, I look myself in the eyes and ask myself, "why do you care?". I mean truly, this is not what is most important in life! My inward witness is a bazillion times more important than any back-fat! To be honest with you, when I am dressed, I look good for a soon to be 36 year old mom with 2 c-section scars. I am healthy, and strong. So why, for the last 2 years, has this been a "thing" for me? Am I self-centered and vain? I asked the Lord to help me. I wanted to know why this was so deep in me. I was not leaving the bathroom until He delivered me from this "thing" or helped me understand why. It didn't take long for Him to show me. You see, when I see the "soft-spots" of my body, it is an external visual of the areas in my Christian walk that I allow to remain soft. I used to joke around about being the "Queen of Instant Gratification", or "Discipline Challenged". The Lord already dealt with me about saying those things, but I only quit saying them, I haven't changed the behaviors that go with those titles. There are a few soft spots that I need to deal with....now. The common link to all of my soft-spots are a lack of discipline and self-control. I believe the best program for ME, to address these areas is the 12 week Body For Life program by Bill Phillips. You have heard me talk about him before. The heart of this program addresses discipline and self-control daily, and it took Melissa and I on quite a journey when we did it 2 years ago. I will share with you tomorrow how the Lord brought it to us- that alone is an exciting testimony!
Now it's your turn. Maybe you already know what you want to do, or, even better, what the Lord wants you to do. That's great! For many people though, it is hard to identify what things they desire most. Over the next few days, I am going to use some "tools" that I have accumulated over the years. They come from a variety of sources. Most of them are from the Body for Life program, Christian Leaders, and my past sales experience. In case I forget to cite each time I reference someone, let me just say right now....I do not take credit for any of this. I am not trying to pass off someone else's knowledge as my own. If something strikes you and you want more details, let me know and I will point you in the direction of the originator. Todays "assignment" is out of the Body for Life Journal. Today I encourage you to get a piece of paper and a pen (actually a journal, or notebook would be the best), and find a quiet place in your house (like the back corner of a closet if your house is like mine). I want you to take 5-10 minutes and write down all of the things that come to mind when you ask yourself this question: "WHAT ARE THE HOPES, WISHES AND DREAMS, FOR MY LIFE?" Here are the rules: You cannot judge them or cross them off. You need to be open-minded and write down everything that comes to mind. This is a one girl brainstorming session. After you are done, take some time to review your list. See what sticks with you throughout the day. Tomorrow you will pick a couple of "dreams" and turn them into "goals". the Lord knows how important dreams are to us that is why it says in Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life
Thanks for sticking through this long message. Love you all-
Jen
The other day a friend of mine asked me "When you look in the mirror what do you see?" I thought a moment and I said something like "Well, I see parts that I like, and I see parts that need improvement." I was speaking mainly about my external appearance. Even though the exchange was brief, it remained in the back of my mind. Later that evening I tortured myself as I often do by standing naked in front of my bathroom mirror. I am still amazed at the wrinkley skin above my c-section scar. Then I move up to the areas above my hips and play with my "love handles". To finish off the self- loathing I pick up a mirror and turn around to check out my "back- fat"....what is up with that stuff anyway? Then, I look myself in the eyes and ask myself, "why do you care?". I mean truly, this is not what is most important in life! My inward witness is a bazillion times more important than any back-fat! To be honest with you, when I am dressed, I look good for a soon to be 36 year old mom with 2 c-section scars. I am healthy, and strong. So why, for the last 2 years, has this been a "thing" for me? Am I self-centered and vain? I asked the Lord to help me. I wanted to know why this was so deep in me. I was not leaving the bathroom until He delivered me from this "thing" or helped me understand why. It didn't take long for Him to show me. You see, when I see the "soft-spots" of my body, it is an external visual of the areas in my Christian walk that I allow to remain soft. I used to joke around about being the "Queen of Instant Gratification", or "Discipline Challenged". The Lord already dealt with me about saying those things, but I only quit saying them, I haven't changed the behaviors that go with those titles. There are a few soft spots that I need to deal with....now. The common link to all of my soft-spots are a lack of discipline and self-control. I believe the best program for ME, to address these areas is the 12 week Body For Life program by Bill Phillips. You have heard me talk about him before. The heart of this program addresses discipline and self-control daily, and it took Melissa and I on quite a journey when we did it 2 years ago. I will share with you tomorrow how the Lord brought it to us- that alone is an exciting testimony!
Now it's your turn. Maybe you already know what you want to do, or, even better, what the Lord wants you to do. That's great! For many people though, it is hard to identify what things they desire most. Over the next few days, I am going to use some "tools" that I have accumulated over the years. They come from a variety of sources. Most of them are from the Body for Life program, Christian Leaders, and my past sales experience. In case I forget to cite each time I reference someone, let me just say right now....I do not take credit for any of this. I am not trying to pass off someone else's knowledge as my own. If something strikes you and you want more details, let me know and I will point you in the direction of the originator. Todays "assignment" is out of the Body for Life Journal. Today I encourage you to get a piece of paper and a pen (actually a journal, or notebook would be the best), and find a quiet place in your house (like the back corner of a closet if your house is like mine). I want you to take 5-10 minutes and write down all of the things that come to mind when you ask yourself this question: "WHAT ARE THE HOPES, WISHES AND DREAMS, FOR MY LIFE?" Here are the rules: You cannot judge them or cross them off. You need to be open-minded and write down everything that comes to mind. This is a one girl brainstorming session. After you are done, take some time to review your list. See what sticks with you throughout the day. Tomorrow you will pick a couple of "dreams" and turn them into "goals". the Lord knows how important dreams are to us that is why it says in Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life
Thanks for sticking through this long message. Love you all-
Jen
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