Shortcuts

Brace yourself, I'm about to get on my soapbox and go on a tangent. Early Sunday morning I was flipping through the channels and came across several infomercials for some sort of exercise program. There were promises that "in only 20 minutes a day, three days a week" I could have this incredible body. You can hardly watch primetime tv or listen to the radio without hearing an ad for some sort of miracle pill or shake or food additive that will allow you to eat whatever you want and still lose weight. I cannot begin to tell you how aggrevated I get at these gimmicks. That's what they are - gimmicks. You want to know how to lose weight and get fit? WORK HARD AND EAT RIGHT! You want to know how those people on tv get those amazing bodies? They WORK HARD AND EAT RIGHT!!! I'm sorry, but there is no substitute for hard work. Don't believe me? Maybe this will help:

Proverbs 21:5 (NLT) - "Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty."

Even the bible warns against taking shortcuts. There are numerous verses in Proverbs that talk about working hard and how those who work hard will be blessed but those who are lazy will be cursed. Believe me, I wish it was easy. I was the girl who tried every diet pill and drink I could afford. I didn't want to give up the fast food or sugary foods (especially the sugar!). I didn't want to workout - I absolutely hated to workout. I didn't want to sweat; I didn't want to hurt. If it hurt, I would quit or scale way back. I was bound and determined to find a shortcut. Luckily for me, God brought my husband Justin into my life, and he got me involved with CrossFit. I figured out that pushing myself in the gym actually felt good, and that putting down the cake and fries paid off. I am proud to say that I am 32 years old, and I am in the best shape of my life. I have abs for the first time; I'm not ashamed to workout in just a sports bra when it gets hot. I have muscles in the my arms; I have traps! I can do pullups and double unders, and I can run!! None of this came easy. There was no shortcut. I learned (and am still learning) to push myself beyond what I thought I was capable of doing. I have also gained more self confidence, self esteem and self respect than I ever thought possible.

I also began making changes in my diet. Please don't think for one minute that this was easy for me. I struggle every day with the food part of this, but I know that it pays off in the end. I slip up and eat things I shouldn't, a lot, but I try to minize the damage and get right back on track. I'm not going to lie to you - none of this is easy. It would be a lot easier to let myself gain weight or to continue to look for that miracle pill or potion that would make me skinny, but working out and eating right has become much more to me than just being skinny. I want to be strong; I want to be fit; I want to be healthy, and I'm not going to find that in some pill or powder.

This tirade is not meant to discourage anyone, but rather to encourage you. I want to encourage you to not be afraid of a little hard work or a little sweat. Once you get past the initial hurt, you will realize that your body is an amazing thing that is capable of so much more than you think. If you apply yourself, you can do some pretty incredible things. The reason these shortcuts upset me so much is that I know people are cheating themselves out of discovering how amazing they truly are. I've been there, and I don't want them to be disappointed when yet another lose-weight quick scheme fails.

I have watched so many people at CrossFit who came in and thought they were in way over their head. I have then watched them undergo a transformation; and while the physical change is great, the mental change is even more amazing. I see people gaining confidence in their ability and in themselves. They walk in with their head held higher, and they are now ready to tackle a WOD instead of being intimidated by it. Once again, that doesn't come from a bottle.

I know this has gotten kind of long, but believe me, it could be a lot longer. I could go on and on and on when it comes to this topic. I challenge you to believe that you are strong and capable of some pretty amazing things, so get out there and push your limits. Don't be afraid of some hard work or sweat or of getting a little dirty. The results are well worth it, and you will be so proud of yourself for all that you have accomplished.

This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."

You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!

Backroads

I am not a woman with a sense of direction. I absolutely adore MapQuest because I cannot stand the feeling of not knowing where I'm going. My husband can keep driving and be going in the right direction and somehow end up in the right spot. It doesn't bother him to not know exactly where he is or how he's getting where he's going. I like major highways, not backroads; despite the fact that I grew up on a farm and everything was back roads.

You're probably beginning to wonder where I'm going with this. Well, the other day I was reading the bible when God showed me something I had never seen before. I've read the story of Israel leaving Egypt many, many times; but this time I saw something new. The following is from Exodus 13 (NLT):

¹⁷ When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” ¹⁸ So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea.^[c] Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.

I guess I just always assumed there was one road out of Egypt and that's the path the Israelites took, but that wasn't the case. It wasn't the shortest route or the easiest way, but in the long run it was the best way. God helped his people avoid battles with the Philistines, which he knew would frustrate them and side track the plans he had. It also set up one of the greatest miracles in the bible - the parting of the Red Sea. That day the Israelites saw the power of God on display and saw firsthand that God was fighting for them. Also, in destroying the Egyptian army, God's people didn't have to look over their shoulders or be worried that the Egyptians were coming after them.

There were well over 6 million Jews that left Egypt that day. You know someone in the group was asking Moses why they were taking this road. I'm sure there were several people informing Moses that there was a better way to get where they were going. It was shorter and easier, which as humans, is the path we want. We want things to be smooth and easy; and if it does happen to get rough, we want that road to be super short.

I think we all have to keep in mind that God can see the big picture; he knows what will happen if we take that "main road". Don't get discouraged if things don't go the way you thought they should; maybe God is saving you from a battle or setting up for an incredible miracle. Just trust that he loves you more than anything and would never lead you down a path that would hurt you. In the end, God's way is the best way, and he wants to bless you beyond belief. Maybe it's ok to not know exactly what road you're on because God does.

This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."

You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!

Obedience

Realizing you're wrong is one thing; admitting it and correcting it is a whole different ball game. I started this blog because I felt God leading me; I felt like he wanted to use me to encourage others (and myself) through words. Relunctantly, I started. I didn't figure anyone cared what I had to say. I didn't have a blog that would give people tips on cutting their grocery bill in half or how to make homemade soap. I didn't think I really had anything to offer. I had that argument with God, but he really didn't see things my way, so I started. Then I got away from writing, but the thought would cross my mind; and in my spirit I knew that's what I was supposed to be doing. Just little thoughts and things that might encourage someone. Well, I'm back, obeying what God wants me to do.

I have two step daughters, and I'll admit, when I tell them to do something, I expect it to be done. So why should it be any different with me and God. He is my father, and the bible says to honor your father and mother. Lucky for me, God is much more patient than I am; and he's willing to forgive me over and over again.

I don't have all the answers, and I slip up many, many times each day. But I think that's where a lot of us are, and I hope this blog will help you remember that God loves you more than you will ever know. No matter how many times you fall, he's right there to pick you up and wrap his loving arms around you. Really think about that - the King of the Universe loves YOU!!! He cares about what is going on in your life and wants to help make your life even better than you can imagine. That's pretty cool, if you ask me. We don't have kings, but think back to when they did. If you were "in" with the king, your life was pretty good. People knew not to mess with you or they would have to deal with the king. God is more powerful than any earthly king ever was, so if he's on your side, no one can mess with you! Hopefully, today as you face the challenges of daily life, you'll remember that God is right there with you, and he is on your side.

This blog is based on Psalm 139:13-16:
"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of
the womb.
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."

You were created for a purpose, and God made you exactly the way you are on purpose! You truly were created to be fabulous!