This is the final week of the Holiday Challenge at Peak313 and I have really enjoyed making sacrifices for healthier choices so that I may share resources with others. They ranged from leaving my warm bed in the wee hours for a workout to passing on high calorie food and drink at a holiday get together. I have made promises to donate warm blankets to the needy as well as money toward Heartspring, an organization that has The Care Program for high functioning autistic children that my son participates in. They have reached him and I hope that my contribution will allow them to reach many more.
To my surprise I have also LOST 2 pounds since Thanksgiving! I think this challenge was timely for me to stay on track and not be one of the average Americans who gains 8-12 pounds during the holiday season. I have stepped up my training, turning holiday stress into spinning fuel. I have come to prefer the bike and resistance bands to the treadmill or elliptical these days, which is great because I get exercise boredom easily. I have also made some changes to my diet that are really paying off, including limiting my intake of bread. I am a HUGE bread lover. When you hear of prisoners having only bread and water, I am the girl that thinks that wouldn't be too bad, which makes makes me smile that this week's challenge verse is “Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35
I have to remember that I am not giving up ALL bread. In fact, with God at the forefront of my physical, emotional and spiritual health, I get unlimited bread. Clare at Peak313 challenged us this week to share when we realized that Jesus was the bread of life. I believe I have always known that since I accepted him in my heart at age 10, but I don't think I truly realized that it is He who sustains me until many years later. After leaving a bad marriage and dealing with yo yo weight gains and losses, about 3 years ago I realized that the food for my soul isn't found in what I put in my mouth during bad or good times or what others say to or about me. It isn't found in my appearance or if I feel fat or not. My soul food doesn't come from earthly possessions or what I have or have not accomplished. My bread comes from God and he feeds me not only spiritually but emotionally and physically also. When all three of those are fed through Him, it is an amazing feeling.
“There will never be another woman who owns the look, the personality, and the experience that you do. Those ingredients make up the recipe that defines who you are, and it's your gift from the Lord - own it.”
― Candace Cameron Bure, Reshaping It All: Motivation for Physical and Spiritual Fitness
God gave me my body, God gave me my soul, He drives everything that happens to me and He will sustain me. It is my duty to Him to keep partaking in his bread to fulfill all of my needs. Although I love bread, oh especially those yummy holiday breads, God provides me with unlimited bread. The good news is it's less in calories and sticks with me much longer than the carbs of other breads. Have a great day!
