We throw off the lie of perfection and cling to our identity in God as we strive to be whole, healthy, and fit. Our goal is wholeness, not perfection.

Posts tagged ‘childlike faith’

#DoOverBook Challenge: Day 2 – Do What?!?

Do Over Book

Putting 10 minutes on the timer, and here we go…

Funny thing happened yesterday after I posted that I have a difficult time keeping up with my blog because I over think when I write.  God told me to start a new blog.  And I said, “Cool.  I’ll post a new blog entry tomorrow.  It’s time for bed.”  And He said, “No.  A new blog.  Not a new post.”  I couldn’t help but bust out laughing.  “Dude, you’re kidding right?  I just told the whole Interweb that I’m struggling to keep up with my blog.  Why would I start a new one?”  Silence.  Not that comfortable silence two friends share as they both recover from laughing hysterically.  Awkward silence.

I started to throw a grown up tantrum and provide really good reasons as to why I shouldn’t start up another blog.  “Faith Fitness and Mommy Stuff,” was His reply.  “Ooh…I like it.”  Oh how I feel so silly stupid when I get amazed at how well God knows me.  He had me at the name.  I started to ask all sorts of questions about Catalyst Movement and how Faith Fitness and Mommy Stuff will impact it.  Then I remembered how tired I was and realized I didn’t have the energy to wrestle with God over blogging.  Besides, as a dear friend told me years ago “You can choose to oblige and follow or you can go with skinned knees because you tried to do it your way.  Either way you’re gonna do it God’s way.”

I registered http://www.faithfitmommystuff.com today.

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Are You a Grownup or Adult?

I was a little thrown off guard when my seven year old asked me Saturday afternoon, “Are you a grownup or adult?”  I wasn’t sure what to think of the question at first.  So I asked for clarification “What do you mean?”  He went on to show me the book he was reading (one of the many Captain Underpants books he’s gotten from his school library) and there was a picture of a presentation type poster board showing that “Adults = three peanuts” and “Grownups = one screw + one baseball”.  There was no further explanation given, but he knew there must be a difference between being an adult and a grownup since his book used both terms.

To be honest, I kind of recoiled in shock when he used the word grownup.  I think I audibly gasped when he suggested that I might be one.  I don’t know if you’ll agree with my explanation or not, but this is how I broke it down for him.  

An adult is responsible but still a kid at heart.

A grownup takes themselves too seriously and has forgotten how to have fun.

Jesus compares the kingdom of God to the faith of a child.  For me, faith involves childlike imagination, risk, and humble dependence.  Grownups trade in optimism for cynicism and call it being pragmatic.  Maybe I’m over thinking it.  Maybe I’m reading into it too much.  While everyone should aspire to be a responsible, contributing member of society, I believe everyone should strive to remain a child at heart.  That’s my goal at least.  

First Blog Post (5/07/13)

This was my first blog entry for the blog I never published.  I had a domain and everything.  I even typed it up but never published it.  I wanted it to be perfect.  I still struggle with the lie of perfectionism.  It is a daily struggle rooted in fear.  But I know that love is greater than fear, and I have decided to just “Say It” – whatever IT may be. (See “Say It” for more background info).

I lost some important items in the past several days.  I would dress it up and say “misplaced” but the simple truth is – I lost them.  Did I immediately pray and ask God to reveal the location of each item (as I’ve taught my son to do)?  Nope.  With the exception of two of the items (debit card and checkbook), I really didn’t get overly concerned until I truly needed them.

The first thing I prayed to find was the charger for the Nook my son and I share.  That was last Thursday.  My son and I scoured the house and car looking for it.  I even searched my work area, i.e. my desk and bookcase, of my classroom.  At one point DJ asked if I had prayed yet.  I told him I had and he suggested I try again.  I found it this morning when I finally unplugged a boombox my husband rarely uses but insists on keeping plugged into an outlet in the bathroom.  I had been meaning to unplug it for days but had too many more important things begging for my time and attention.

The next item I prayed about was my debit card.  I really didn’t want to see that look on my husband’s face – the one reserved for  me losing important things – again.  I trusted that it hadn’t fallen into the clutches of evildoers.  So, I prayed that God would give me peace until I found the card.

Now the checkbook kind of flustered me, I must admit.  The only reason I had it on me was because I couldn’t find the debit card. It was raining, my son was grumpy and hungry upon waking up from a three hour nap and I just wanted to get home.  Needless to say I was juggling too much to properly search for the checkbook.  So I used my personal – well, actually, my health and fitness business – debit card. I didn’t even bother to pray about it.  Well, I may have asked God to to let it fall into the hands of evildoers.

When I got to work on Monday I found my debit card.  Actually, my substitute found it and displayed it in such a manner that I could clearly see it but the wandering eyes of evildoers could not.  I found my checkbook as I went to grab my work ID from the side panel of my car door this morning.

So what have I learned over the last five days? Juggling too many tasks is when I typically lose something.  Be it something tangible like a debit card or intangible like peace, joy, patience, and gentleness.  Avoiding tasks is usually when I miss the opportunity to find those lost things.  I’m very grateful that my God is in the Lost and Found business.

side note: DJ and I are big Marvel and DC comic fans.  Hence all the references to evildoers.

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