Encouraging Christian Women – Confessions of a Snowflake | Discussing Issues of Faith

This week's topic…

How do you recover after a bad week? How do you get back into the groove? How do you convince yourself to continue on the weight loss journey even when you feel like giving in to old habits? I hope you'll join us!

So this was my question last week when I was really struggling to get back in the groove after vacation. I have to admit that I'm not completely sure I did better this week.

It was a difficult week for me on my weight loss journey. Because we were on the run way too much last week, we ate out more than I would really like. Plus my back has bothered me more than usual lately. So I didn't exercise as much for fear of hurting it further.

However…

Even though I didn't eat the healthiest, I did track what I ate. In the end I realized that I did ok. I could have made a few healthier choices. But I did try and that helps towards a healthy lifestyle.

Plus I did a good bit of housework last week, which counted as some exercise. And I went walking Friday with friends. Then we went to a festival on Sunday and I walked some more. So I managed to move a little last week.

This evening the scale reflected those efforts. I managed to lose 1 lb. Yes, I would have liked to see a higher number on the scale. But overall I am happy with it.

I learned something through this…

Making any effort is better than none at all. Life isn't always going to be conducive to a healthy lifestyle. The key is trying to work through that. It means making good choices when you can and enjoying some things along the way…without feeling guilty.

I am good with that lesson. I am tired of feeling guilty when I eat something full of calories. As Christine pointed out last week, those foods are always going to be a part of our life. We have to learn to deal with them. After a long battle with myself and food, I think I am finally understanding that.

How about you my friend? What have you learned lately? How do you get back into the weight loss groove after a bad week? Why don't you link up for Weight Loss Wednesday? We're all in this together!

Write a blog post it, referencing this post. Then link up with Mr. Linky below. Please know, though, that I reserve the right to delete any link that does not conform to the spirit of Weight Loss Wednesday. You can also join us on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #wlwed.

Also please remember to visit some of the other ladies as well. It's very encouraging to know you are not alone in this journey.

Next week is my monthly Social Media Sabbatical. But never fear…I have another great hostess planned for next week. Jenny at A Mother's Heritage has graciously agreed to be your hostess. Her topic is exercise. What is your favorite exercise? I hope you'll share with Jenny and the other great Weight Loss Wednesday ladies. Remember it's all about being a community of 3 strands…providing encouragement and support for one another in our weight loss journey. Together, we can make a difference in our lives.

Thanks!

Take care my sweet friends!

From the Archives: Lost Sheep

My devotion this morning reminded me of a post from March 2009. As I reread it, I thought about how much I needed the reminder. So I hope you don't mind a repeat.

I should have known the directions were too easy. I was leading a field trip for my homeschool group into downtown Atlanta. I should have double checked the directions I printed from the Internet.

But I didn't realize how bad they were until we missed the exit and had to get the whole caravan of cars across 3 lanes of heavy traffic in downtown Atlanta…not an easy task. Two of our families didn't make it. I was able to talk one of them to the right place. The other was not so easy.

When I finally got in touch with my friend, she was completely lost and discouraged. I felt terrible about it. I tried to figure out where she was. I finally had to go find a security guard to help find out where she was and get her directions to the Center.

It took almost 20 minutes to get her there. There were many wrong turns and frustrating moments, but I was not giving up on her. When she was almost there, I started thinking how excited I would be to see her.

It was then that I thought about how Christ must feel when one of His sheep is lost. In Luke chapter 15, He tells the parable of the lost sheep. He tells how the shepherd will search for the lost sheep until he finds it. Then He tells us that there is much rejoicing in Heaven over the one sinner who has repented.

I know many of us have friends and family that are lost sheep. Sometimes it can be frustrating. We pray for them. We talk with them. And still they do not believe. But Jesus does not give up on them. He keeps calling for them. He keeps waiting for them.

And so should we.

We need to keep praying for these family members. We need to keep sharing God's word with them. We need to keep believing for them. We can't give up on them. Their eternity hangs in the balance.

I am speaking to myself just as much as anyone else. I have loved ones that desperately need Christ. I have given up on them at times. But I am making a renewed commitment to pray for them.

Will you join me? Maybe you have a loved one that you have given up on. It's not too late. Let's pray for them.

Dear Lord, we thank You for the sacrifice that You made. May we never take that it lightly. Forgive us for giving up on our loved ones. Forgive us for thinking they will never change. We know all things are possible with You. We pray for these sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, even parents. May they come to know You in a new and powerful way. May they know how much You love them. May they know your saving grace. And we thank You for the day we will rejoice with the angels over their salvation. Thank You for never giving up on lost sheep. Thank You for never giving up on us. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.

WLWed: Learning a Lesson

From the Archives: Lost Sheep

My Life as a Snowflake

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