It was a busy day. The little girls finally got to have their friends over today. I got a lot done this afternoon.
and
and dinner planned.
As the chaos subsided, I realized I was sleepy. I was hoping the girls would nap but they never do.
Why does this happen…
five minutes before this?
It’s just cruel irony!
My sister went all out for me at Christmas this year. Normally we don’t exchange gifts but since we decided to buy everything from the thrift store this year the sky was the limit.
Isn’t that clever? Let’s just say I don’t think it was a high end set. My parents used to fondue in the seventies. I guess it’s coming back. I don’t get what the big deal is. It’s just a big bowl on a stand over a candle.
It seemed like a good time to try it when the kids came home from school and found strawberries in the fridge. Jenna made the chocolate and Grant sliced the fruit. Then everyone dug in and was delighted.
It got a little messy.
But was it ever fun to eat off a stick!
Maren even helped with the clean up.
Yesterday I had one of those mornings where I just didn’t want to get out of bed. Actually, I never want to get out of bed but this was worse. I was tired and my body hurt. It was still dark out. It was twenty below zero. I didn’t want to face another day of the responsibility in life. We were struggling to get back in the school routine. I had to go to the grocery store with the girls and it turned our worse than I expected. I felt like I wanted to quit and run away.
I’ve been exercising again to go along with the New Year’s and buying scales and eating cookie dough. It’s way too cold and icy here for me to run outside. I did see my kids’ friend’s (I seriously do not know the right way to punctuate that) Mom running outside the other day, marathon runner and fitness guru that she is. So it’s not actually too cold and icy to run outside, it’s just to cold and icy for lazy and wimpy me to do it. I’m back at the 30 Day Shred that I was doing last winter. You can tell because I am cranky and can’t walk. My legs are so sore I wince going down the stairs.
I’ve often thought that it would be awesome to have a sound track for my life like movies do just to add some extra emotion and excitement to life. When I have a big moment the music could swell or upbeat music could play when I’m taking care of business. However, today while listening to Jillian on my exercise DVD I thought it might be even better to have a personal trainer.
Not so much a trainer that would help me exercise because I’m sure they would hate their job and quit after five minutes, but a personal trainer for life. Someone that would give me tough love when I’m ready to quit. They might say things like Jillian says during her video:
“We don’t quit at the finish line, that’s when we give it even more.”
“No breaks, give it all you’ve got!”
“When it starts to hurt, that’s when it counts the most. When you are in pain, that’s you getting stronger!”
“You can do this. It’s easy for you because you are strong”
Maybe issues with your kids or spouse have you fried. Maybe financial issues are pounding you. Maybe you are sick of fighting your health problems. Allow me to be your Bible Jillian just for a few minutes in case you are feeling like quitting too. For your own safety, please don’t imagine me in a cropped shirt and low rise sweats.
We’ve got everything we need for life in Jesus.
2 Peter 1:3-4
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Looking to Jesus, we can persevere.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
We can overcome through His power.
1 John 5:4-5
For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it the overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Jesus provides rest from our burdens.
Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Jesus promised to be with us always.
Matthew 28:20b
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
We are not alone. Christ has already secured the victory. The hard times will help us grow. Marriage is worth fighting for. Parenting is worth the work and sacrifice. We can do it with Jesus. He is strong when we are weak.
Don’t quit! He can help us finish the race strong.
I’ve never had a scale before. I just don’t need that kind of stress. The other day I decided I should buy one to track my progress: the good and the bad, the ups and the downs.
I found a whole bunch of scales at my favorite thrift store. Did you think I would really pay full price for such a ghastly gadget? Most of them looked like they were made around 1967 but there was a digital one buried in the back.
I took it out and hit the buttons and the display lit up. I quickly and carefully hopped on hoping it was not a talking scale that would broadcast: “Your current weight is…” causing mass hysteria and laughter in the store. It not only reads your weight but your body fat. It seemed like it worked so I paid my $6.99 and headed home.
There was no instruction manual with it. But how hard could it be? It turns out it was really hard. It began by asking your age, sex and height. Then there was person 1 and person 2. I was stuck in the set up part and couldn’t get it to the weighing part. The manual for this model wasn’t online but I downloaded a similar one. Still no luck. It was so stressful I ate a bunch of cookie dough.
My son came home and pushed two buttons and it started working. Later that night Person 1 hopped on. Of course, Person 1, eats anything he wants, never exercises and never gains an ounce had a pretty good outcome.
Person 2, however, is pretty sure the scale doesn’t work and it will never see the light of day in this house again. No wonder someone gave it to the thrift store.
We went to a wedding last night. We’ve known the bride and her family for quite a while but I had never met the groom. There were so many beautiful candles it felt all glowy and warm in the church. The church was packed and the excitement was building. As the procession started the groom looked pretty nervous. Until his bride came in.
He had the most enchanting look on his face. His eyes were as bright as the candlelight. He looked as though he might float right off the platform. Love was pouring out of every part of his face as she approached. It was really sweet and moving, but I always cry when a bride is walking down the aisle. I know, I know and I claim not to be a romantic.
As the scene unfolded it was surreal. The candlelight, the people, the bride and her beauty and the look in the groom’s eyes. I can remember the thrill of seeing my husband waiting at the altar for me with the same look. Something about the scene clicked with what I’ve been learning about marriage and how God refers to himself as the bridegroom and we are his bride.
I had little goose bumps thinking about THE bridegroom waiting for me. Even though there are a lot of other things going on around Him, His love and affection is fixed on his bride. It blew me away that the look in that young man’s eyes and the deep feeling they portrayed is the exact way God feels about you and me. Much time has passed waiting for this day. He stands there waiting for us as He is about to burst with joy. His eyes are full of warmth and his heart is full of love. His arms are open offering grace and forgiveness.
When this life leaves you feeling alone and unloved, remember the bridegroom. When you feel ugly and undesirable, remember the bridegroom. When you face rejection, remember the bridegroom. He is waiting for you.
Isaiah 62:5
As a young man marries a maiden,
so will your sons marry you;
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,
so will your God rejoice over you.
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