The Duck Outside My Window

The first time I noticed her she was waddling across the parking lot trying to make sure she and I didn't come to close to one another or perhaps she was trying to disguise her real reason for being there. Her presence seemed odd but I figured she had wandered from her normal habitat. It was about a week later that she once again caught my attention but this time she wasn't running from me and honestly I almost missed her. There she sat, still, in the bush right outside my office window snug tightly in a little nest she had created for her and her nine little eggs, For weeks after my discovery I made a point to look for her and greet her every time I came to church. The sight of her and what she respresnted was beautiful-- a mother caring for, protecting and covering her little offspring.

Last sunday as I exited  the church after morning worship I noticed that she was not there. I glanced over into the nest and noticed her nine eggs sitting perfectly. I thought maybe she, like I had assumed of our first encounter, was out getting food but Sunday afternoon turned into Monday evening and Monday evening turned into Tuesday afternoon...still, no duck. Wednesday revealed that three of the nine eggs were missing and this morning I was sad to discover that only three were there and they were cracked open and they contents gone.

When I realized that she wasn't returning and her eggs were daily being snatched and destroyed, God gave me and interesting insight. My health and fitness journey has been successful so far because I have a covering and that covering has been my heart to follow Christ and daily be transformed to be more like Him. This heart of discipleship has been the covering and protection that continually keeps all that God has deposited in me from succumbing to the elements that would sidetrack and destroy, among other things, this call to care for the temple He has given me to be used for His glory. My covering is vital and without the nourishment of God's love and leading of the Holy Spirit my covering, like the mother duck, will disappear leaving the very precious deposits that God has placed in me at risk.

I am so thankful that God would bless me with these deposits (my health, my family, my ministry, just to name a few) that are growing and developing in my life and I look forward to seeing them produce all the things that God has planned.

The Conversation that Changed My World

"Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone" (Mark 16:15) Are the words I heard, and then the question that changed everything, How can you go into all of the world if you can't even cross the street or handle a flight of stairs without getting winded?
"But God", I said with fear, "how am I supposed to do this?"
"Through Me" He replied.
That was the beginning of a conversation that changed my whole world! I have never considered that my faith and fitness were interdependant. But God made it very clear that I can't have one without the other. Loving the Lord my God with all of my heart...soul...mind and...strength wasn't an and/or option, just simply AND. That command has called me to a place of surrender and a constant reminder that my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in me and was given to me by God. I do not belong to myself, God bought me with a high price. So I must honor God with my body. (1Cor 6:19-20 paraphrased)

This journey to health has caught me by surprise because things I would have NEVER considered doing I now love and enjoy. Healthy habits that God is shaping me I would have never thought attainable for a person in the physical condition I had been. Daily I am feeling whole and complete and more important than anything I feel in step with Holy Spirit and aligned with the will of God for my life.
As I continue this journey of faith-fitness, I have come to understand some very precious things.  I understand that where my willpower and discipline is limited, His Power to work those things in me are limitless.  I understand that my journey will never end because God will not stop leading me and I will not stop seeking the heart of God and striving to Love Him with ALL of my heart, soul, mind and strength. While it may take different turns as I learn the lessons and achieve the goals of certain seasons I know that He has planss for me and will bring them to completion in His time.