I’ve finally settled into a sweet spot regarding my health. I wouldn’t say there are drastic results to share but I am losing weight and that is wonderful. I haven’t stressed my body out or made limitations on food that will send me spiraling out of control in a few weeks.
God has kept me balanced and I’m grateful for that! In an area where I allowed satan to defeat me for years i’m very cautious and take extra steps to guard both the heart and mind.
Just last weekend I was getting ready to take two days off to rest and was alarmed by unsettling thoughts nudging me not because I’d lose progress made.
I chose to take a break instead of working harder because one path will lead to burnout and an obsession. There’s no freedom found there, and I don’t want to be in a new form of bondage for years to come!
Resting turned out to be exactly what my body needed!
I’m becoming intentional with checking thoughts that are crossing my mind daily. I don’t want to lose sight of this battle waged against me. At the end of this life, I want to stand victorious because I believed all that God told me. With actions and choices that back that up.
I’m gaining confidence and it’s not through weight coming off, like I thought it would be. It’s from believing in God’s word and taking Him seriously. When I read in scripture…
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
John 10:10 (ESV)
I see Jesus’ spoken words, that show i’m not living this life full. More like running on empty most days with no particular purpose in mind. He is cleaning out the junk I’ve believed and i’m grateful for this sweet spot He’s led me to.
* * *
For months I had planned to write a book.
I wanted to answer tough questions that most could relate to. What I didn’t realize was by diving into this particular writing project, that Jesus was waiting to transform a stale heart.
Words have already been written and between personal stories and bible passages that I tied together today, I wanted to jump up for joy. God is at work through this and that’s exciting.
There are notes jotted down everywhere, and this message placed on my heart is unfolding day after day.
When I first sat down to start writing the other week I would sit, and then get up nervously after a few sentences were typed out pacing quickly to the bedroom. I would pray and then wander back to the computer keys to tap out some more, straight from the heart words.
I couldn’t turn Bible pages fast enough, and really could have used an extra finger to save pages. His word coming alive and relevant is an incredible thing to experience.
At one point I paused after noticing my heart pounding and sat back. This whole leaning into His word deeper is changing the poor ideas I had of myself and the weak views I held of my God.
It’s neat how He had been preparing me for weeks to tie in all that He has been teaching. I’m working on a fancy outline this week because organized writing is always the best! I don’t want to lose focus!
There will probably be a lot of tweaking ahead but the one thing I hope to keep in place is the title:
This is very much a book for the one who feels average. I’m excited for when it comes to print but this is my favorite part of the process. Writing the thing! I may drag it out a bit to enjoy it longer. No I’m kidding, it will be neat to hand this book over to someone and have a conversation that I’m praying lifts them up.
Would you pray for me? That I would stay focused and find the right words along the way? I would really appreciate that!
I hope you’ve been well. Can you believe Christmas is right around the corner? Anyone put up their Christmas decorations yet? I’m trying to wait until the following week but Darren told me to go for it this week, so maybe I’ll start.
Until next time,
Laura
Ah, dear Laura….I’m so happy to hear you are at work on a book! I have had you in my prayers for quite some time, and you will stay there. It’s been such a joy to read of your transformation over these past few years. As you settle into your delightful “sweet spot,” a term I use often in music, by the way, I imagine you resting but watchful, leaning and learning, teaching and touching hearts. Your husband and your son and you make this wonderful family who show others what family life should be. I say this because I wish there were more families like yours around here.
This morning I prevented a fight between two boys who have very different home lives from yours, from that I grew up with, and from that my own two were raised in. As I reminded one that he might not have a home life that supports him, he most definitely has one teacher who cares enough to put my hand on his chest and press him against the wall to prevent him from throwing a punch at the face of the other. And later on, when the other boy, whose home life is equally but differently unsupportive, was in the office being told the way it is, HE found it inside himself to apologize to the asst. prinicpal for his behavior. And later on, he “heard me” when I told him that I’m not giving up on him so easily.
As teachers, so many of us shut these kids out. We see a sign of trouble and we close our hearts, barely tolerating their presence. And some of us keep trying….we “parent” these kids in spite of their resistance. One of these boys has worked hard this year, when last year he had nothing but issues and simply could not keep it together. The other, tried nothing. Was insolent…rude…disrespectful. HE is trying to change this year, and I will try my hardest to make sure he gets a clean slate every day to make that happen.
Being an adult of worth in these times is a challenge and heartbreaking and hard and frustrating. I just wish every teacher in this one boy’s path would do the same as I do – wipe that slate clean every single day. Give him the “do-over” he deserves, and talk quietly to him to explain how to go through his day. He wanted to refuse my instruction to remove his hood – I explained why he needed to choose to take it off. And don’t you just know it, he did. And he was calm and receptive the remainder of my class.
I think I just testified….
You are doing good stuff, Laura.
GB
Laura, I am so proud of you and can hardly wait for your newest book. I have started decorating as Tom presented me with a Christmas tree which he has changed. Soon I can take a picture and share it.
The Lord has truely blessed your family.