Yesterday while I was browsing through the Barnes and Noble bookstore, I was drawn to the section of books on diet and exercise.  For a number of years, I have struggled with losing the same 20 lbs. and have purchased numerous diet books to help me lose this weight. A few years ago while following a well-known high-protein, low-carb regime, I lost 27 lbs.; however, after I went off the program, I fell right back into the same eating habits, with ice cream and/or frozen yogurt at the top of my list of favorite foods.

Recently, I picked up a book by Bob Harper entitled, “The Skinny Rules.”  One of the most memorable statements that he makes is that “if you have 20 lbs. to lose and you have not lost them, it is because you have not followed the rules.” In thinking about that statement, I realized that in order for me to lose 20 lbs., I had to follow the guidelines as outlined with whatever program I decided to choose to help me lose the weight and stick with it even after I had reached my goal.  It is a lifestyle change.  I am now on a program that is working for me which includes healthy eating with a moderate exercise regime.

Every day there are many circumstances in our lives that weigh us down which could distract and cause us to stop following the guidelines that are written in the Word of God.  There are so many resources and promises in His Word that we can look to in times when we are struggling with issues that are beyond our control.  He promises to never leave us nor forsake us.  We just need to continually follow His guidelines that are outlined for us.

May He continually guide and direct you as you seek Him for His will and purpose in your lives.

God bless until next time.

 

 

 

Last Saturday my husband and I helped my daughter and her husband move a U-haul truck down to Virginia–only 3-1/2 hours from our home.  It took only a couple of hours to unload everything into their apartment, but much longer to unpack and put their belongings away before we headed home later that evening.  We pulled into our driveway around 1:00 a.m.

Exhausted, but with a feeling of accomplishment, we headed for bed to get ready for a very busy Sunday–church and an afternoon service at a personal care home–along with a quick trip to Walmart for much-needed groceries.

On Saturday, July 7, my daughter and her husband will make another trip down to Virginia, only this time they will take the rest of their belongings and be “permanently moved”.  Since they were married, they have been living with us for the past two years so I have not yet experienced the meaning of the “empty-nest syndrome.”  I know that when they pull out of our driveway on that day, I will begin to feel a twinge of “missing you” and “can’t wait” until they come back for a visit.

Because my daughter and I are very close–she tells me I am her mother first and also her best friend–she assures me that she will call or skype as often as she can, and that they will visit at least once a month. I know that I will look forward to those times.

But until next weekend, I will enjoy being with her–whether we are shopping for more things for their apartment or just having lunch together. I will be continually happy for the “biggest adventure” in their lives at this moment in time.

Sometimes it is hard to let go of friends or family members that we love, but God promises that “He has plans for us; plans to not harm but for our good.”  Knowing that God has a plan for their lives and that they are following what He has for them is the greatest comfort a mother could ever ask for.

Sometimes the hardest thing we ever have to do is to “let go” and “allow God” to do the rest.

Blessings on you.

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday, I learned that the couple I babysit for had lost the baby girl that she had been carrying for almost 6 months.  Just before this happened, she began having trouble with high blood pressure and the doctor was concerned that she could have a stroke.  Options were discussed at the hospital but, due to a medical issue that was extremely dangerous for the mother,  the end result was that they would have to take the baby.

My daughter and her husband are very close friends with this couple.  When they found out, they recalled their own grief from last fall when they, too, lost their own baby very early on in her pregnancy.  My  heart deeply remembered their loss as well.

We wonder why these things have to happen and sometimes question God’s reasoning and purpose for it.  Yet, I am reminded of the scripture in Psalm 30:5 that says, “weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” (NIV)  God sees the bigger picture and helps us through our struggles, pain, and grief.  We may never know “why” but in our hearts we continue to trust and believe that “all things work together” and that “joy will come in the morning” as long as we continue to keep our trust and faith in Him.

May the Lord bless and keep us as we trust Him at His word.