Sunday, December 9, 2012

Where Is Your Comfort Found?

It's a question that I'm going to intentionally ask myself daily.  Where is my comfort found?  The answer SHOULD be Jesus but to be honest, it's been food.  Food is something that I have developed a relationship with over the years.  And with that relationship, there's been a dependence and addiction formed.  Yep, addicted to food.  You may be wondering, "what kind of person gets addicted to food?" "What a weirdo..."  I really don't care if you think that or not.  Harsh?  Perhaps, but I've wasted entirely too much time in life being overly concerned with how others perceive me.  No more.  Sin, past, food, others, acceptance and etc do not define me.  Jesus does.  He was born and died for us all.  So the question is, why do we live as though it was menial? My body should be a temple.  God didn't send his one and only son to die on the cross for me to live like this....to be a slave to food or my selfish desires.  I owe it to Him to live a full life, bringing Him glory.

My blog is going to be a place to document this process again.  It offers a sense of accountability and is therapeutic in the way of letting thoughts go free.  I'm currently reading a book by Candace Cameron Bure called "Reshaping It ALL" and it's been convicting yet encouraging.  She quotes a lot of scripture and points out that we turn to food for comfort as opposed to Christ.  There's something to be said for willpower and living intentional.  "Change must begin with the transformation by the Spirit - the renewing of our minds." I have to continually be renewing my heart in Christ throughout the day, allowing Him to renew and change me.  With that, finding comfort in only Him. 

Why turn to food?  I'm still not entirely sure but looking back it seems as though I let the enjoyment found in food bring me comfort over the years when I would get sad, nervous, happy, mad or lonely.  It became an idol over time and I refused to accept it.  Choosing what and how much I hate gave me a sense of control when I knew other things weren't going like I had planned or hoped.  I have known the steps to take and even take them from time to time but then I find a way to opt out and I take it.  I allowed my past to define me and determine my future.  No more.  The past attempts are irrelevant.  What matters is turning this over to God and refusing to give into my flesh.  Easier said than done but it is more than possible.

1 Corinthians 9:27 says, "I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified."  I absolutely LOVE encouraging others and want to be able to help those that struggle.  While my goal is of course to look great, I want to be healthy and be able to honor God with my body because He has saved me physically on many occasions but most importantly, spiritually. 

This journey is going to be difficult and painful at times because I'll learn things about myself that God wants changed but to quote a line from a song that Kimberly and I wrote years back, "No one ever said it would be easy...."

Monday, January 2, 2012

Catching Up

Not sure if anyone reads this anymore, not that there has even been anything to read but it's still fun to "journal" on here. Life as of late...

It dawned on me last week that I have a life up here in Chattanooga. I've lived here for well over a year now (which is still odd at times to not be in Dalton) so I'm guessing it happened sometime after that. :) It was so fun being at the beach with my family (aside from the fact that I'm not the biggest fan of extended camping trips) but it was nice to come back and to see people that I've grown close to over the last (almost) 2 years. Some over just the last 6 months or so.

In October, a week after a the joyous union of Scott and Leslie (WOOOO HOOOOOOO-thoughts of that wedding and what God has done still bring me such joy), there were 11 of us that went to Blue Ridge for a weekend getaway. It was FABULOUS. Those that have children left them at home and we just went to have a relaxing time filled with laughter. After praying about that trip for a few months, it was evident that God answered those prayers. We laughed, played games, laughed, slept (a little) and laughed a little more. Below is the only group shot we took and a picture of all of us girls before we went out on Saturday night.


In December, a dear friend that God blessed me with last February, got married to a wonderful man. It was such a fun wedding party and that weekend was also filled with laughter, prayer and dancing! I was also fortunate to learn a little Spanish from some new friends that were with Mandy, the bride, in Peru while she served there for 2 years. This picture sums up Friday night and Saturday....all day. :)



All in all, 2011 ended in a fabulous manner. At times, I've become restless and weary because life isn't how I had planned it. Can I just say that I'm thankful that I don't get to plan it all out....sometimes that's easier said that actually lived out but it's true. If things were like I had originally intended or hoped, I probably wouldn't have met and grown close to some of the amazing men and women that God has brought into my life.

What does 2012 hold? Well, I'm glad you asked...Kimberly and Tony have a little one due in June so that is so stinkin exciting! Another good friend from college is expecting in May! Ladies, there must be something in the water so look out! One of my dear friends up here in Chattanooga got engaged this past Friday to a wonderful, God fearing man. So preparing for her wedding will be a blast! Two dear guy friends (the younger and older brothers I never wanted....at least that's what I tell them) will be marrying lovely young women who truly love the Lord so that will be a blessing as well.

I'll be facilitating our small group for a month or two (for one assessment/study) until God either brings a man to lead (I won't lead a co-ed group) or until we're supposed to dissolve into other groups. It's a wonderful peace to know that He's got it.

Here's to a new year, new opportunities and new perspectives. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!