With the start of the new school year here for us, I find myself getting excited for all of the new beginnings in our Homeschool and every year at this time I find that I have a huge need for a reboot in our daily routine and in my focus.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but it seems like I am always running out of time to get “it all” done each day (week, month, year, etc.) I am, by nature, a fairly organized person who can prioritize tasks into the Now, Later, and Whenever categories. I keep a calendar, a daily routine, and I do my best to keep the plates spinning as long as I can make it each day. My biggest frustration right now is finding that my energy runs out way before I finish what *I* planned to do that day.
Can anyone else relate?
With the start of the “official” school season in our home, we also ramp up the extra-curricular commitments since both of our daughters are in a local girls choir; both of them have their weekly practices starting this week and soon we will have performances to attend, fundraising to coordinate, and countless other things to think about. It’s hard to believe that the summer season – at least here in Arizona – is quickly coming to a close and we are running full force into Autumn activities. (it doesn’t feel like Fall here though: the temperatures are still over 100 degrees every day!)
I haven’t kept it a secret that I have struggled to stay on task with my weight loss this summer. Some of you who have been reading this series since it started in June have probably wondered how I could possibly be the leader of this movement to become F.I.T. by Faith when I am holding on for dear life to just maintain my weight. I need to check on this, but it’s possible that I have actually gained weight this summer.
Weight (the number on the scale) isn’t the only proof that I am working on getting healthier, but my weight (the loss or the gain) is usually a good indicator of my general and overall health;
It is hard for me to admit that I need to focus on myself more and make the care of my needs more of a priority if I am every going to start seeing the scale moving down. (I think most of us moms try so hard to take care of others – giving of ourselves unselfishly – but in doing so, we let the healthy, balanced way of self-care and the needed times of rest and refreshment fall off to the wayside.)
We are just too busy to even consider letting something else go to get into bed at an earlier time.
We are too over-committed to spend some time planning our meals, walking for 15+ minutes a day, drinking more water, and praying and studying the Word to build up our inner (wo)man.
We forget – at least I do – that we need to invite God to be a part of this whole process.
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Ouch. This may be a post convicting only to me today – - – but I sure need this reminder of the Truth that apart from God, I can do nothing.
I won’t be a loving wife – - -
I won’t be a dedicated mother – - -
I won’t be an energetic homeschool teacher, homemaker, friend - – -
and I won’t be able to fulfill the calling God has put upon my life apart from His Love, Strength, and constant Presence to lift and sustain me.
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I have been in a rough season – but I can rejoice in knowing that I am learning to rely only on Him. Even in my weight loss journey.
Let’s forget about yesterdays and look to God each morning to start anew to rely on Him to walk in Faith for our healing and surrendering of our will to His Will.
I encourage you to join with me in following the example of Jeremiah in chapter 17, verse 14:
Our healing and salvation come only from the Lord, our Jehovah Rapha. I love how Jeremiah tells us his heart for the LORD in the phrase, “for you are my praise” at the end of the verse.
I am reminded to praise the LORD and look to Him – only HIM – to be my healing and salvation. My body coming into balance and healing by surrendering to the LORD is what is going to help me lose weight.
I can plan for success, I can do my human best to follow the plan, but it’s only through praising my God that I will be completely healed and saved.
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How about you? Is your praise – your source of joy and reason for rejoicing – completely focused on the LORD, your God?
Do you need to join with me in praising God today for your healing and salvation?
Look at the verse again:
Thank you, Father, my Jehovah Rapha, for being my Praise;
You are my source of Healing and Salvation!
Take a moment to ask the LORD to help lead and guide you in surrendering your will to His loving Will for you.
Make sure to spend some time each day consuming the Word of God and drinking from the Living Water in prayer (communication) with God.
When we make the LORD our praise, He will become our Healer and Salvation.
Praise be to GOD!
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To God be the GLORY!
Gina Marie
You can also find a video here of this verse set to a song. May it bless and encourage you!
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