Living and Active

I had a post lined up for today, however after writing one, God led me to several more ideas that support the one He breezed my way.  So while I work on that this week for a new series,
I wanted to share I plan to participate in the Living and Active fall challenge over at Peak 313.

I've done well the past month with a commitment to exercise - of course I took nearly two weeks off to be sick and recover. 

I think this challenge will help keep me motivated and accountable to stick with what God is directing me to do - regain physical health through realistic movement.  And focus on His word - which I have down - yet I will never turn down an opportunity to reminded of the need to stay in the Word.  I know me, and it's all to easy to slip into - oh I'll do it later - mode and never get to it. 

In my little slice of Paradise, it is a mile and quarter lap.  {I do not use the word paradise in vain for where I live, Paradise is part of the name :) }.  My goal is to work up to six days a week that I walk it, if I don't have something more strenuous to do at home, like mow the lawn.  Last week I did four days - so Yea!

The other thing I hope peak 313 will help with is thoughts.  I'm on guard to stop thoughts that will make this process about me.  It's not size I'll be if I lose weight.  It's about being able to move.  It's getting stronger.  All this will enable me to be useful to get out there and help others, to endure whatever I need to. 

No longer will I push myself to injury.  No longer will is listen to the call of the sofa.  It's all for God!

Let Me Fix Him

Time Warp Wife post when I try to remake my husband.  If, as a wife, I turn my desire to have the perfect man into expectation that he conforms to what I want, I become discontented and separated from him and God.  I try to do God's job.

It is my duty to examine my desires and if they stand up under God's word, then pray that God will align Dale's desires to mine.  The He show me how I must behave in order to honor and submit to Dale, yet help him see that my desire is something he should have as well.  God has done this on many points in our marriage over the years.  

A Holy Spirit job to change him, that's for sure! We had a situation a few weekends ago. I gently relayed my position.  I heard and disagreed with his concerns.  We did not have an argument.  He had concerns and I shared them, yet did not see it as a hindrance to doing what I perceived was the right thing to do.  I prayed for God to move his heart to act. I knew this was out of hubby's comfort zone. I could have demanded he go, but it would not have affected his heart.

He obediently followed God's leading and went with me, not sure how "happy" he was with it. God did not disappoint. Dale was able to give encouragement to a friend's father that we've befriended at church. The father is young in his walk with God, so it was important for him to see his church family come along side his family (not just us).

So it comes down to this: Am I trusting my husband to God?  Or am I trying to be God?  Am I thankful for the work being done or complaining over what still needs done?

One more thing.  When I have become discontented with my husband, with what he is or isn't doing, I find each time I go to God about it that it's me that is wrong.  It is me who has the wrong expectation, me who is being touchy, me who needs to change.  It's humbling and I'm thankful for it. 

The Big What If..

The big what if that hangs over any wife.  What if he didn't come home today?  What if God calls him home today?  No more morning wake-up kisses.  No more hugs.  No more phone calls.  No more special emails.  No more, no more. 

This post was spurred by The Time Warped Wife post.  She had a guest post from Nicole.  Nicole did go through just that.  The post was an attitude adjustment for me.  I love my husband.  I don't usually grumble in my heart about him (and never would I to other people).  Yet, I am a flawed sinner.  I have hormones.  Some times I do grumble.  Sometimes I do "FEEEEELLLL" offended.  Sometimes I do wish he would just read my mind and know just what I want him to do....LOL.

As a Christ follower, I am taught to do more than what is asked - if you are asked to walk a mile - walk two.  Matthew 5:41.  This means I am to do more than expected and WITH a good attitude.  I am to give, to love.  And why is it sometimes so hard to give that love to the one you love the most?

Then I followed the little link over to Nicole's blog.  That post is a must read as well.  What a blessing she is.  God has gifted her with the right thinking in the aftermath of her husband departure.  I just love how she put to words that those God calls home can not possible see us if they are to have no more tears.  And the thankfulness in her heart that he can't see what is going on.  She is an inspiration.  Her thankfulness is a real life example of a humble heart that trusts God. 

Yes, Nicole's words came from God to me.  It has changed me.  Thank you amazing Father!

As a side note, I do not dwell on this or any what if - for it is worry, which is a sin.  When this or any what if jumps into my head, I give it to God and declare I trust Him and know His provision will see me through everything. 

3 Things

I recently started following Time Warp Wife.  I began reading the six steps for a beautiful marriage.  Step 1:  3 areas I want to be made beautiful.  3 areas to begin to pray and work with God over the next week to see what I can do to improve my relationship with Dale.

Our marriage is good.  Relationships take dedication and attention or they'll fall apart.  I am led to pay more attention to my part in our relationship and I have found several blogs that will help me.

1.  Domestic support.  I've made this part of my goals for this year.  I will work towards putting out all the hotspots, let go a clutter the is chocking us.  I know Dale doesn't mind a certain level of clutter, but he also likes to come home to an order home.

2.  Attitude.  I've developed a I must control everything and have my way (you'll see in post over the next month.  I need to lighten up and go with the flow - which is the attitude Dale has most of the time.  The day that I let go and went with it turned out to be a very enjoyable day.  I pushed my agenda aside and had a great time.  Now I need to keep it up, fortunately I have a Holy Spirit directing and convicting me.

3.  Be available.  This is somewhat tied to the above attitude.  Be available to listen and hear what's going on in his life - his work, his study, his activities.  Be available with my time, not be wore out from all my activities that I have nothing left to give him.