Grab Your Bootstraps

"How's your fitness journey going?"

I was asked this question the other day by a well meaning friend. It was a simple enough question but the answer I had to give made me feel the gripping fingers of defeat and shame.

My answer: "It's been a rough summer here. It hasn't been going anywhere but backwards."

And that's the short answer.

So. Many. Things. Have derailed me. Owning my choices is hard. I've backslid, painfully. My energy levels show it. The number on the scale shows it, and my tighter pants make me feel it right up to the squeezing of regrets on my heart.

A few days ago I listened to a podcast that basically said what I needed to hear to motivate me to make the choice and the changes to pick myself up, dust myself off and get back on the journey. Pulling myself up by my bootstraps, tipping my eyes heavenward and taking the first step.

Again.

To paraphrase the podcaster (who was actually talking about homeschooling) ;) Whatever it is that you are doing; whether it's a reading goal, learning goal, fitness goal, or something else. You need to treat it like it is your job. Show up. Be on time. Put the effort in. Check off your list. A little effort every day adds up to a lot over time, and little changes every day create big results.

Yesterdays choices are yesterday's. Yes, we may have to work hard to shed some of the consequences of those choices for a while as we step forward BACK into the light on our journey. God doesn't ask us to carry the burden alone though.

He doesn't ask us to live today, on yesterday's leftover grace and mercy.

Lamentations 3:22-24 "Because of the Lord's faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! I say, "The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him.'"

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

1 Corinthians 10:31 "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God."

Grab your bootstraps, set your intentions and show up like (insert your goal here) is your job.  God will give you the strength in the moment for the rest.

Lord, thank you for your new mercies, new grace, new strength and the rest we receive when we travel WITH you on our journey. Help us to walk beside you, honoring you with our goals, hearts and bodies instead of trying to conquer the world on our own strength. Amen