Workout Challenge

It's not a secret that I like to push myself physically, emotionally and spiritually (example- 2 marathons in 6 days :). I find that's when I discover how far I can be stretched and where my rope ends and God's starts. Sure it's uncomfortable at times, sure it hurts, but it's been my experience that this is how life is too.

So when I go through a tough week of training and workouts I just file it away. When life gets tough, I can think back to that tough week and know that if I can make it through THAT, then I can make it through my present situation with God's sovereign help.

So I challenge you this week... push yourself to get comfortable in the uncomfortable and try this workout...

Here for a reason!

Have you ever had that experience where your stomach jumps inside of you and you know without a shadow of a doubt that THIS experience is what you were made for!? Oh it's just thrilling! I had that happen to me this morning as I was about to take the stage at church. The pastor of our women's ministry asked me to speak (WHAT AN HONOR!) last week (click link to hear audio) about faith, fitness and identity in Christ. It was an absolute joy to speak my heart and teach what the Lord had laid on my heart for months (and even years, really). But earlier this week, she asked me to come back and do a short demo for the women about how to include more movement and exercise into an already busy life.

It was the epitome of who I am and what I love- Jesus, fitness and family. I haven't felt that alive in a LONG time. I mean, I love my daily life and praise God for every breath that I take, however teaching women how to move with their kids and praise God in the meantime is what I am put on this earth for! Oh, what a joy!!

My two year old and I demonstrated squats, thrusters, planks and push-ups and talked about playing tag in an interval style to really get the heart rate going. I also talked about Tabata training which is High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). It provides a great 'bang for your buck' when it comes to exercise and can be done in 4 minute increments. So regardless of what your purpose is on earth (and we all have one!) go out and do it, there is no better feeling in the world! Blessings to you!

Beautiful

We over use a lot of terms and phrases in our vocabulary today, like "I'm just saying", "Seriously?", and "It is what it is"; but one word we don't use is beautiful. Especially when it comes to describing ourselves. Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that we are to become egotistical, self-loving, body-admiring maniacs, but as women, my hope is that you can tell yourself that you are beautiful. Not solely from the outward appearance (we'll get to that in another post), but mainly from the beauty that comes within.

May I ask you a question? When you make something, say it is a craft/ picture with your kids, or a piece of jewelry, etc, and you REALLY like it, how do you react when someone compliments it? Do you scoff and say "oh, it's just a picture full of crayon scribbles", or "it's just a necklace filled with ugly beads", or are you appreciative for someone noticing your work and appreciating its beauty?

How do you think God feels when we, His creation who He painstakingly made, scoff at our too wide hips or flabby stomach, or wrinkles on our face and say, "uh, I just wish I looked different." Can you hear Him groaning with concern and heart break saying, "But dear one, I made you in MY image and YOU are BEAUTIFUL." We are made by the God of the Universe who thinks that we are breathtaking. Now, I don't know where you are in life, what path you are travelling, but I do know this; God adores you and you are simply beautiful. Yes with spit-up on your shirt, dirty hair, wrinkles, cellulite and all, YOU are BEAUTIFUL.