When I was little, I remember thinking that I would surely not live past the age of 30. I know that is weird. I was. I am. Weird, that is. But I really thought that something horrible would happen to me and that I would never make it into adulthood. I lived in fear all the time.
Switching gears for a minute...
Housekeeping has never been my strong suit and I will blame that fact on many of the same traits that contributed to my former obesity--perfectionism, anxiety, laziness. And then there's the pure hatred for cleaning in general. But the Lord has been working on me.
This morning as I was doing a seemingly menial task--putting clothes in the washer--I had an "aha" moment. I had already made a bed, washed a toilet and sink, loaded a dishwasher, done my Bible Study and dressed down to the shoes (Thank you, Fly Lady!)
Standing in front of my washer, I began to sort through dirty and torn little-boy clothes, pink and ruffled little-girl clothes, the work gear of my firefighter husband and my stinky workout clothes. I realized that each of these things represented something huge that was a direct result of God's mighty hand of protection and provision in my life.
With tears streaming down my face, I tossed clothes in the wash and found myself perfectly happy and content to be doing what I was doing. I felt like I was engaged in the most important task in the world simply because it is what I know I am purposed to do. I felt more alive than ever in my tiny, cramped utility room that used to be too small for me to even fit inside (No, really!)
I stood there and thought... Now THIS! This is living.
How interesting that I spent my first 30 years believing that life was about to end. When God knew all along that my life was really just about to begin! Leave it to the witty and eloquent Author of Life to write me a story like this. The attention to detail is impeccable.
He truly does give us the desires of our heart, if we are willing to first lay them at His feet.
Delight yourself in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:4,5
Feeling mighty blessed today! My cup runneth over...
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16 comments:
This made me tear up!! I spent my early 20's not caring if I saw 30 and my late 20's freaked out about turning 30 because I had determined I wouldn't live to see it.
Now I am 31 and I've been 31 for 2 months and 4 days and I see so clearly how He is faithful, and He truly does have a purpose and plan for me!!!
I just found your blog, and I love it. It is so inspiring. Way to go! Oh, and my hubby is a firefighter, too. :-)
wow.. you've come so far and you look so great. You're such an inspiration;)
~Diet Chic ~Jury
http://dietchiconamission.blogspot.com/
i think this is my favorite of all your posts. it helps(?) that i hate cleaning. i love the way you are able to connect the same traits between obesity and my brand of housekeeping.
and i see your daughter in you in that lovely picture.
great post...
Love this post!!! I thought I would never see 30 as well. I never had this "I"m going to die" feeling, I just thought that because I couldn't picture my future of myself at 30 or older, it somehow meant that I wouldn't get there. I'm bearing down quickly on 37 so that was wrong. I remember walking into my surprise 30th birthday party and thinking "look at all this and I'm still here!".
I'm also not a very good housekeeper and Flylady has helped me immensely!
Fantastic picture of you!
Michelle
I love this so much I'm at a loss for words! Wonderful observation and thank you for bringing into the light for all of us!!! oxox
What a wonderful post. I hate doing dishes... but it means so much to my husband (who loves to eat) to see an empty sink. I put a photo of him over the sink for my decoration to remind me why I do something I hate to do. I don't hate it so much anymore. :)
i can totally relate to this post
thanks
Amen Sister!
God is with us in even the smallest of tasks.
Aside from homeschooling, today I've been listing stuff to sell on ebay. I'm a collector of all things curriculum and I've got way too much stuff so I'm selling it. It's rather and boring and mundane and I won't get rich doing it but it's a way to get paid to declutter. Thanks for the important reminder that even the little, unseen, mundane tasks matter and that we can choose to do them with joy and thanksgiving or not. I'll take the joy, thank you very much!
Blessings to you and yours. :)
Well, not to be pointing out the obvious, but...you will "officially" be IN your 30s in January! Sorry, but I came to that conclusion recently and so must you LOL!
Again, congrats on everything! Oh and not to throw your course off track, BUT...I was recently told that Starbucks now has the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate ON menu for the holidays! Just sayin', even if you don't go get one, it made ya smile...right?
totally brought some tears to my eyes. God bless you Keelie :)
Wow! I love how God let's things happen TO US, with the purpose to change things IN US, so He can work His plan THROUGH US... He is totally working through you!
I've been following your blog for a several months and am continually inspired by your "TESTimony". I'm going through ongoing struggles these days with weight and overall health(mostly feeling defeated in each attemtp). But I tell you, everytime I visit your blog and read your posts, I'm reminded that our God is bigger than my struggles and He has already given me victory through Christ... I don't need to remain in my defeat.
Thanks for allowing God to continually remind me that through you! Blessings~
Teri in Texas
Ah!!! The laundry situation has been one of my 'change of heart' sparks too. A friend, when I was complaining about the piles I had to do, pointed out, that I have loved ones in my life who need their laundry done, and I am blessed to have them, and their dirty laundry, in my life :)
I'm a FlyBaby as well, but I'm a rebel without shoes...
Oh wow that's awesome! Loved it! You are doing awesome girl!
To many,many more years of doing the purpose of the Lord and watch out because He probably has even greater and better plans.... :)
Chris xoxo
this really spoke to me... =) thank you. It's such a blessing!
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