It was war. Me against a five year old. And it all started with following “faith instead of feelings.”
As I write this Daniel Tiger is on and he is singing a song that says: “Stop. Think. And Choose.” It is a slogan that is catchy, but the same things I am learning on this new transformational plan that I’m on involving food and exercise that are the same: Stop. Challenge. Choose. It all adds up to healthy habits…or bad ones but it starts off at a choice.
Every morning now I wake up and have one chocolate chip pancake. Then for lunch, I have a creamy chocolate shake. I am a creature of habit so for me, making healthy habits a permanency is something I must first practice and put in place, before it becomes an every day “thang.” I have gotten this one down pat though, and the best part is, my premade “snacks” are filled with nutrients and probiotics that ensure that I’m making the healthiest choices possible. It’s a win-win. They taste good, and I am satisfied. This program is really working for me and it has been an answered prayer.
I woke up this morning and read my devotional which told me to follow my faith instead of feelings, and that this also meant doing all of the things I didn’t “want” to do, but the things I “should” do. What a bigger picture this made for my entire morning as then (somehow) I realized I was attempting to teach my five year old the same things I was learning…things about commitment and doing the things we sometimes don’t want to do first before we play. This meant making his bed before video games. And that was the war that ensued. It lasted roughly thirty minutes, but I stood strong. I went about my business and did all of the things I myself didn’t want to do which included laundry, exercise, showering, and even putting make up on today. I wasn’t “feeling” any of it, but I had faith that if I did it, things would turn out much better in the larger scheme of things. I also decided to do this blog…which I didn’t originally want to do but because I was “teaching” my son the art of patience and making good choices, I did this as well.
So, go me. One non scale victory at a time, but this morning I realized that I have a lot to learn about the simple things in life. Making healthy habits starts with making smart decisions and that is something that I must stop, think, and choose before it becomes something of consistency. The stronger I am with the Lord each day also, helps my transformation and reading my devotional today was what started my whole day moving forward, instead of backward or standing still.
Do you wake up and “choose” to devote time with God? It can change not only your day, but your life. Setting some time to read and harmonize never hurt anyone. Maybe you should try it if you aren’t already devout about it. It’s changed my life for the better and set my path on a more narrow and steady track, one in which I’ve found much success and happiness.
Until tomorrow, God bless you. Stop, think and choose. You are in control. And even though you aren’t in control of others, you are in control of yourself and your reactions and choices. Make them good ones and ones you’re proud of at the end of the day. And Amen to that! Freedom to choose. It’s such a good feeling and one that drives home faith.
“Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it. But the gate is narrow and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
Party Gatherings 