Beginning the Journey

I fully realize that my body as a temple may not be God's most grand dwelling. However, I want to lift up to the Lord my willingness to dedicate my exercise as a gift to Him and myself. This one act un-divides my heart and reminds me of the deeper purposes for moving my body.                                               Craving God

So, hubby and I went for a bike ride today. The weather was great and we had a good time. We did venture out of the neighborhood and my comfort zone though. I was following his lead when he turned to go out of the neighborhood. Of course I could not ride in silence and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air, I panicked! Not only was he heading out of the neighborhood, there was an incline I would have to consider. But instead of giving up and complaining, I decided to be silent and pray my way through this. It would take divine intervention to get me up that tiny incline. My graceful prayer began something like this:

O God help me climb this mountain, Ok here it comes, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....O God thank you! You are awesome!

Turns out my husband is blissfully unaware of my troubles and decides we should cross a major intersection! It was successful and turns out we were going to the bank by our house. While he was making his transaction I was trying to keep oxygen in my body. It was more of my fear than the exercise. I decided to choose a scripture from my memory bank and meditate on it to get me back home and the only one that I could pull to mind was "Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will give thanks unto you, O Lord my God with all my heart" (Psa 86:11-12). Well I was so preoccupied on the way home with - why this verse? I failed to realize that we were not headed home, we were headed to the Food Lion on a TWO LANE ROAD!! There was no way to stop and freak out now! We made it to the store!! I was too petrified to yell at my husband who was just riding and blissfully whistling. When he emerged from that store, I decided that it was time for me to take the lead and get us home as soon as I could. Yep! That got his attention, I passed him and did not stop peddling until I got home!

Once we were home and I recovered, I began to realize that the reason I went for that bike ride was because he wanted to go and he said it was good exercise for him. I knew I should exercise in some kind of way so I figured I may as well impress him. My heart was divided between exercising for another person's reason or finding my own motivation. Funny the things we go through to realize something so simple.

But, this is a journey and I am a work in progress ... to be continued.

Reflective Evenings

Towards the end of each day, reflect back over the day’s activities. While you were going about your routine day, where did you see God? Did you intentionally look for Him?

God want us to see Him in everything and rely on His wisdom and power to face anything.

When we become active seekers and consistent reflectors, we become keenly aware of his presence in our lives. At any time on any given day, we can be pulled in many different directions –family, work, friends, self, church, organizations –God is there with us though each step and each decision.

Ponder over Psalm 25:8-15 (Amplified Version)

8Good and upright is the Lord; therefore will He instruct sinners in [His] way.

9He leads the humble in what is right, and the humble He teaches His way.

10All the paths of the Lord are mercy and steadfast love, even truth and faithfulness are they for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.

11For Your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity and my guilt, for [they are] great.

12Who is the man who reverently fears and worships the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way that he should choose.

13He himself shall dwell at ease, and his offspring shall inherit the land.

14The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep, inner] meaning.

15My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He will pluck my feet out of the net.