Thursday Thoughts on my Faith

I read an article in last Sunday's Sacramento Bee that still has me thinking. It was in the "Health" section but I found a spiritual connection to one of the articles. It was titled "If time is of the essence in your sport, find good coaching". It focused primarily on a man who was an athlete all his life and decided in 1999 to run the Boston Marathon. He trained and completed the race in a little over 4 hours, which is pretty good! He kept training on his own and enjoying smaller competitions like 10ks and the Boston Marathon each year but he never did particularly well. The man decided to "get serious" and joined the Boston Athletic Association and after training with them he got better and better. Last Monday he posted a time of 2 hours and 39 minutes in this year's Boston Marathon. It was his best time to date. He ran with a bad cold but still did exceptionally well, finishing 161 our of 23,000 runners.

Where on earth am I going with this spiritually you may ask? Well, I drew an analogy from this story to my spiritual life. I've been training for my spiritual race pretty much on my own the past several years. Not really by choice however I haven't sought out spiritual "coaching" consistently either. I did when I was younger. My first spiritual mentor was Glennie, my High School Sunday School teacher. She would meet with me for lunch and talk through my walk with Christ. Glennie led me to volunteering at the Crisis Pregnancy Center when I told her how deeply the abortion controversy was effecting me. Glennie also introduced me to a professional counselor from our Church when it was obvious I needed more than just spiritual counseling. She and I wrote through my first year of college and although we are not in touch today she holds a very special place in my heart.

The next woman I met with was Kitty, the Executive Director from the Bible Camp where I spent many summers as a camper and staff. I told Kitty things I had never told anyone and she always pointed me back to the trustworthiness of God. Kitty helped me see that God was kind and good and He loved me unconditionally. I am still in touch with Kitty through Facebook and her amazing smile lifts my heart everytime I see it. In her eyes I see that God loves me, no matter what!

Next came Dawn. Another year round resident of the camp I mentioned above. Her husband was the Camp Director. With Dawn I was encouraged to face my fears and trust God with them wholly. She is a woman who has faced her own fears with tremendous courage and faith in God. We are also still in touch through email and letters and when I think of her inner strength that comes from a close walk with Christ I am still inspired.

In college I met with Deb. She was the school's Vice President of Student Affairs (if I remember her title correctly). It's kind of an interesting story how we met which I won't go into now, but I spent many a hour in her living room just a couple of miles from campus sorting out the struggles of my faith. One night I walked around for hours with heavy thoughts on my mind. I wound up on her doorstep, totally distraught and she took me in of course. Made me tea and called my roommates to reassure them I was alright. Deb coached me through some of my darkest thoughts about my faith. Remembering Deb's infectious energy and tenacity always reminds me to keep going when the going gets tough.

And that's where my being coached ends. I met with Deb when I was 22 so for the last 14 years I have been without a "coach". My training as a Spiritual Athlete has seriously suffered because of it. I've even stopped "training" altogether at times. It's so easy when we are on our own to make excuses, rationalize our choices and become lazy. Fellow Athletes are essential as well to hold us accountable, challenge and encourage us but I think having a coach is not to be overlooked. I think the level of coaching we need depends on each individual person. For some, listening to a Pastor preach each Sunday is all the coaching they need. For me, I think I need one-on-one mentoring from an older Christian woman. This is what I'm praying for: an mature Christian woman who can coach me back into being a top Spiritual Athlete. I need to help getting my discipline back and what the best way is to strengthen my "muscles" without hurting myself. I want to run in the race that Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 9:24 in the most efficient and fastest way possible and I need a spiritual mentor, coach or personal trainer to do it.

I hope God shows me who she is soon. Maybe if I find the right coach I can do some coaching of my own someday..............."Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored." Titus 2:3-5

Ahhhhh!!!!

Life is a bit chaotic right now. I didn't get a chance to post my Traditional Foods recipe yesterday and I only have a quick minute now so I don't think I will get a chance. The good news is I am making major progress on the office. A little pressure does wonders..........my in-laws are coming on Saturday and they need a place to sleep! So I'm off to work on the office! I hope to post a pic today or tomorrow of my beautifully clean office.

Take care my friends!

Monday Morning Random Fact

My Dad and his friends threw huge parties for Halloween, St. Patrick's Day and Hanukkah**. There was always tons of beer and food and always a live band. As I kid I danced the night away at many a holiday party. I grew up thinking this was normal and all kid's Dads did this with their friends.

**We aren't Jewish but my former stepmom is and that's why my Dad did the Hanukkah party.

Friday Funnies

Good Advice From Kids

"Never trust a dog to watch your food."
-Patrick, age 10

"When your dad is mad and asks you, 'Do I look stupid?' Don't answer."
-Hannah, age 9

Never tell your Mom her diet's not working."
-Michael, age 14

"Stay away from prunes."
-Randy, age 9

"Don't pull Dad's finger when he tells you to."
-Emily, age 10

"When your Mom is mad at your dad, don't let her brush your hair."
-Taylia, age 11

"Never let your three-year old brother in the same room as your school assignment."
-Traci, age 14

"A puppy always has bad breath--even after eating a Tic-Tac."
- Andrew, age 9

"Never hold a dustbuster and a cat at the same time."
- Kyoyo, age 11

"You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk."
-Amir, age 9

"Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts."
-Kellie, age 11

"If you want a kitten, start out by asking for a horse."
-Naomi, age 15

"Felt-tip markers are not good to use as lipstick."
-Lauren, age 9

"Don't pick on your sister when she's holding a baseball bat."
-Joel, age 10

"When you get a bad grade in school, show it to your Mom when she's on the phone."
-Alyesha, age 13

"Never try to baptize a cat."
-Eileen, age 8

Thursday Thoughts on my Faith

Yesterday I felt like a bloated whale. I went for a walk about a 1/2 hour after dinner and I was shocked to feel how out of shape I am. I huffed and puffed the whole way, it was awful! What does this have to do with my faith? I was praying and thinking as I walked and I had a recurring thought that I should fast today and dedicate my weight loss to the Lord. I am not getting anywhere on my own despite the fact that I have many plans on how to shed weight but I can't seem to execute those plans. I need His help, period. I considered quite a bit fasting today but I didn't make any commitments to God about it.

This morning I pushed away the thoughts of fasting. I found myself wanting my morning sugar fix cleverly disguised in a "healthy" bowl of granola with yogurt. As I ate my breakfast I opened my daily prayer email from Children of Destiny (a group of Christian parents with autistic kiddos). In an interesting coincidence Children of Destiny declared this day a day of fasting for our kids. (Long pause). I stared at my delicious cup of coffee that was only half finished and the last 3 bites of my sweet granola and I struggled. I really, really wanted to finish my breakfast but I could feel God's Spirit tugging on me. I finally relented when I remembered that obeying God will bring blessings and I know I won't regret it. I committed to fast today and not to eat again until breakfast tomorrow. We will see what the Lord has in store for me in the area of weight loss and I am honored to make the sacrifice for my son with autism. I trust God will bless this fast.

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?”
(Isaiah 58:6, NIV)

Traditional Tuesdays

Eating well is going okay. It's hard not to fall back on things that are easy especially when I'm stressed or short on time. This week I decided to post a recipe that is doesn't fall within the Traditional Foods guidelines but it's one of my family's favorites and it falls under the "quick and easy" catagory. It's a Meatball Pizza that is healthier than ordering out at least. My kids LOVE this!!!!!

Meatball Pizza
Italian flatbread or focaccia
jarred pizza sauce
shredded mozzarella cheese
Trader Joe's frozen meatballs or any brand of cooked meatball (thawed)

Cut bread in half lengthwise. Layer sauce and cheese. Slice meatballs in thin slices and place on top of bread, sauce and cheese. Broil for 2-3 minutes or bake at 425 on the top rack for 5-10 minutes.

Monday Morning Random Fact

My eye color is green. Everyone thinks they are blue but they are green. My Mom, Dad and sister all have green eyes too.