New Perspectives

I hope everyone is enjoying/enjoyed their weekend!

Fasting this Lenten season has really been a blessing to me. I have been able to reflect and really gain some new perspectives. I have also develop new appreciation for the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. I was a little irritable when fasting last Wednesday so I really needed to check my attitude and get in touch with why I was really struggling. It is so easy to get distracted and caught up. I don't want people who interact with me during my fast to think man she's rude today...must be the fasting. Fasting is only a small sacrifice that I am making and I want to represent God well while I am doing it--I will keep that in mind this Wednesday. I wanted to share part of this devotional as we head into next week:

You can download this devotional:
 Devotions for Lent From Holy Mosaic in the Holy Bible App or learn more here.

I should have way more time to reflect this week because I will be fasting from social media. *GASPS* That means no Facebook, no Instagram, no blogging or reading blogs, and no Pinterest. I know that I personally waste a ton of time on social media so I look forward to the break and new perspective. Do I really need all the access that I have? Can I set some parameters on social media so I don't waste so much time but enjoy it as a leisure activity? I personally feel like my son sees me on my phone too much anyway. I don't want him asking for a phone one day and then we are all distracted. I am hoping to gain a lot of clarity this week. I tried to get the hubbs to join in but he wasn't buying it and my mom doesn't think I can do it--I'll be showing them. Feel free to join in even if you just pick one form of social media!

I am sure I am going to have a lot to write about so stay tuned. I can't wait to see what I accomplish this week.

Have a blessed week--see you next Saturday!

Mid-Week Boost: Check Your List

So I have been talking about getting into God's word so I can better hear his voice. I personally feel like I hear God the most through my devotional readings. Some days they encourage me or help me to refocus but some days, like today, they give me a little jolt of confirmation that I am headed in the right direction--as if I am hearing God's voice clearly. I often joke that some times I wish we still had signs like the burning bush but a devotional, for me, is often just as good.  

From the ReThink Life: 40 Day Devotional

"Bring you to the end of something so He can begin something new in you." WHAT?!?!?!? I'm telling you Jesus sent that message straight for me. It is so easy to keep doing what you have always done. Fear can be very real and stifling. I told you Monday that even I need a little help sometimes--by the way, if you missed Erica Campbell's new video go back and check it out. But when you can move forward through the fear, it is so liberating. I am definitely feeling freer. 

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. (Isaiah 43:19 NLT)

To God be the glory for all the new things he has in store for me and you!

Week 10: Honesty is the Best Policy

Can you believe it has been 10 weeks already??? On the one hand I am kind of kicking myself for making this challenge public but on the other hand, I am glad that I did so others can see that the road to weight loss is rough but as long as you keep going you can meet your goals. If I wasn't honest about the struggle, someone make think my end results were easy and give up when they really need to just keep going.

That being said after being stuck for a few weeks, I am down 2 more pounds! That is 7 pounds total since starting in January if anyone is counting. I got on and off the scale at least 10 times to confirm it. So, even though eating only 1,500 calories a day hasn't really worked out for me everyday, I am making progress by opting for getting things right on some days instead of writing them all off as failures.

Last week, 3/7 days were under 1,500 (up from 1/7 last week). Overall though, last week, my worst day was about 2,000 calories. Not bad considering my worst day involved eating a bunch of homemade cookies and not the day I ate out on the same day as going to a fair and eating fair food. Who knew? How did I survive? I actually shared some of my desserts *gasps*. I HATE sharing desserts lol. But it worked out for the better last weekend. The weekend before got away from me so I wanted to tighten up last weekend. I can't say I'll share every dessert but last week that worked out for me.

I am also starting to look at the progress I made this time last year. If I make the same progress, I will may even surpass my initial weight loss goal for the year. I am trying to find better snacks or things to do when work and school stress start to creep in. I really love fresh popcorn popped on the stove. That has been a good save when I am home but I also need some better on the go options.


What are some things you try to manage stress eating? I'd love to hear. 

Help

We live in a time where people are often scared to ask for help. We are embarrassed, ashamed, or just afraid that people won't help us. But the truth is, we all need help sometimes and that is actually normal. The real challenge though is asking for help, especially when we don't want to. How can I ask for help when I am suppose to be super-mom, wife, etc. Just because it looks like you have it all doesn't mean that you won't have times when you need some help. I am still working on this but I have gotten better. I am not afraid to let someone help me. I feel more comfortable asking my friends to pray for me, help me with an assignment, or give me some career advice.

 

But, I must admit that sometimes I don't even want to ask God to help with some things. Silly right? But with certain situations, I feel like I should be able to fix them on my own. I say things to myself like if I got myself in debt, I need to figure out how to get out of it. I may need to step out on faith but I feel like I need to have a clear plan to fall back on, etc. etc. I have been focusing my prayer life this Lenten season on asking for the very real help that I need from God right now. I am grateful for the many blessings that I have received but the reality is I need some help with a few things. There is NOTHING we can't ask God for help with. He already knows our struggles so why not allow him to really step in and help us? We all need help some times. No need to fake the funk. It gets real sometimes but God is our very present help.

What do you need to ask God to help you with today?

Check out Help by Erica Campbell (above). This song almost brings me to tears!

Beware of the Enemy

I saw this a while ago and it really stuck with me. The enemy is real and can definitely make you feel like a loser even when you are far from it. If someone has tried to bring you down today or this week be encouraged and know that everything that is happening is a part of God's plan for your life and your purpose.

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You can check out more from Becky at Scissortail Silk here.