One Day Better

One Day Better

I am a coach. I have coached softball, volleyball, basketball, and running. But I love running. Nothing makes me happier than challenging my runners to do their best and then watching them improve. I spend quite a bit of time and energy encouraging them to think about what kind of people they are not just what kind of athletes they are. There is a big sign in our high school's weight room that reads: Excellence is a choice you make every day. Boy that is so true! Today, are you choosing excellence? Is your walk with Christ real and vibrant? Is it excellent? In your personal life, are you making good choices? In your work life, are you giving your best? Are you a good example to others? Are you giving 100%? Or are you saving something? Today, when you step foot out of your bed, represent yourself well. But more importantly, represent your SAVIOR well. What do you want Jesus to think of you? Do you want him to be proud of you? Or are you fine with settling for mediocrity? My prayer for you is that you choose to be one day better. God knows us, every single thing about us: the good, the bad, and the ugly. He knows we can't do everything he commands or expects, at first. Little by little he transforms us, it's a process. God's ways are hard! He expects a lot. So here's your challenge for today:

BE ONE DAY BETTER

--one day better at loving others

--one day better as a friend

--one day better as worker

--one day better in your attitude

--one day better in using your gifts

--one day better as a witness to Christ's love and power

--one day better at obeying

--one day better at trusting God

--one day better at believing God's Word

--one day better at loving your Lord

BE ONE DAY BETTER.

You can’t be better at everything all at once. But you CAN choose excellence. You can choose to be one day better. Can’t we all get better today? Just one day better.

Romans 12:1-8 (NIV)

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

1 Peter 1:16 (NIV)

Be holy because I am holy.

God is my night light

I was reading some Bible story to my four-year old last week. I can't remember for the life of me what the story was. His comment to me about the story is what I remember. We were talking about being afraid, alone, or in the dark, things like that. I reassured him that God was always with him, even when Mom and Dad weren't. He couldn't grasp how God could be with him in his room at night. Then he had an aha! moment. He said, "I get it. God's my night light!" I wish there was something funny or clever or more to the story but that's it. But I have thought about that non-stop since he said it. Isn't that true? God is our night light! He isn't like our night light, he IS our night light. When we are scared, he is our light. When we are unsure, he is our light. When we are living in this insanely sinful world, he is our light. When we need guidance, he is our light. When we can't see, he is our light. Oh to see God like a preschooler.

Psalm 139:11-12

If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you."

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Be lifted!

Grieving the "old" you

In the last week I've had several moms talk to me about a common concern among women: losing their identity when they became moms. It can be rather traumatizing to be pregnant one day and have a baby the next. When you leave the hospital you arrive home with another person! From the get go your needs are put on the back burner. Since you have better coping skills than your infant your needs can wait. Unless we are careful we put those needs on hold indefinitely. Somewhere in the early years it's easy to lose ourselves in all that we must do for our babies. That loss can bring about periods of grief.

After my first child was born I did most of the things I loved but I did quit running. Why? I have no idea. She is now ten and I'm finally running again. I'm in training for my first half marathon. My kids aren't suffering because I'm running. If anything I've noticed that they are excited to see their mommy so happy about doing something she loves. They are rooting for me, they know the date of my race, what town it's in, and how far the race is, etc. For me, doing the thing I love best is actually making me a better mom.

When my kids were tiny babies I don't think I would've had the energy to run like I am now. But I do regret quitting altogether. There are numerous benefits to exercising post partum. It's good for our bodies and minds. I regret that I was sedentary for a few years. The science alludes me but I do know that exercising helps you have more energy and sleep better, it also improves your overall feeling of well being.

What do you miss about the "old" you? What did you used to spend time doing that now you've let go? What hobby do you miss? If you have a little baby, this season will quickly pass. I strongly suggest you keep up your hobbies or interests. Sure, you'll need to spend less time and energy on your favorite activities for now but keeping involved in them will do wonders for you. It's inevitable that you will spend some time grieving the "old" you...your body, your lifestyle, your activities, your interests, your pastimes. But don't let go of all of it, please don't. It's what makes you YOU. Yes, you are a mom now. But you are still you, too.

Be lifted!


Joel 2:25
I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.

Treasured possession

Do you remember the very first time you held your baby? To be honest, the first time I held my first child it kinda freaked me out! I'd been in labor a LONG time and I was ready to sleep for an even longer time. So when they cleaned her up and put her in my arms I had no idea what I was supposed to do. It's as if I finally understood the whole pregnancy thing but I never understood that I would hold a real person. Isn't that weird? But it's true. But I remember holding her and treasuring her. I was in awe of her face immediately. I longed to hear her peeps and squeaks. When she would jerk around with her arms and legs I giggled. I would rub her hair over and over. I counted and measured her fingers. I enjoyed changing her diapers so I could rub her sweet belly. There was nothing I didn't enjoy about her. Sure, the crying was annoying and the sleepless nights made me a crazy person. But the baby, she was precious. I treasured her.

Somehow over the course of ten years some of that has dissipated. That breaks my heart! But to be honest, stubbornness and disobedience have taken a toll. Talking back and fussing have made it hard for me to continue being in awe of my kiddos. It's hard for me as an imperfect mother to not let their problems affect how I feel about them. Yes, I love them always always. But some days I don't like them as much as I would like to. I have made a concerted effort lately to look at all of my children and try to remember what it was like to treasure everything about them. I've come to the sad realization that I will never be able to look at them exactly like I did when they were hours old. But the best part of that is that I can actually look at them with deeper affection because I've known them and loved them for so long. I have more things to love about them than just their fingers, toes, and squeaks. With life experience I've grown to admire certain qualities, adore their quirks, and treasure the gifts and talents God has blessed them with. I grin at their humor, smile at their creativity, and sigh at their competitive natures. God has blessed me with time with them which has led to a much deeper gratitude for them. Yes, I wish I could rock them all and just watch them sleep. But time marches on.

If you still have a baby, don't let go of them! People will tell you to put them in their cribs. I'm telling you, I don't still rock my older kids and wish I could! That time flies by. Hold on tight. And as they age you will learn how to hold them in brand new ways.

And to top it off, God treasures them even more than you do! Let that sink in...

Be lifted!

Deuteronomy 7:6b
The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

Transitions

Transitions are a natural part of life...especially as a new mom! My 4 year old will be entering kindergarten this year, my "baby" is two and talkative, and I'm expecting a new baby again in the fall! Nowadays, I'm easily irritated and pooped out every 2 hours or so. Do you remember those days in your pregnancy? If so, please tell me about them so I don't feel so lame. :)

I'm taking on some new projects (speaking at women's retreat, teaching Losing Weight After Baby classes) and as a result, I'm going to take a hiatus from blogging with Totally New Moms. I'll miss checking in with you on Fridays. I hope the blog has been a blessing to you. I will continue to blog regularly on my Losing Weight After Baby blog, so please feel free to come over for a visit whenever you like!

May the God of all comfort and strength bless you in EVERY SEASON of your life as a mom!

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Eccl. 3:1

With love,

Sorry!

I've just gotten home from my trip to speak at a church near Nashville, TN.  I'm frankly so tired that I could cry and I've not yet eaten dinner.  I'm so sorry but I can't write today.  I'll write something special next week!  Please forgive me.

As the spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.

2 Corinthians 3:18b

One Super Mom I Met

Pictured here is Chelle Stafford from this month's issue of Women's Health Magazine. She was featured as a weight loss success story.

Weight before: 178
Weight after: 123

I was so excited for her because Chelle and I went to high school together! Through the magazine, we reconnected and I interviewed this mother of 3 about her amazing weight loss journey. She was such an inspirational guest on my Losing Weight After Baby podcast. Hope you'll be able to listen. The show is titled "How One Mom Lost 50 Pounds."
After several children and miscarriages, Chelle found herself over eating, depressed and hitting the drive thru up to 3 times a day. Her turning point came preparing for a New Years Eve party and crying in the dressing room because none of the clothes fit. That's when she decided to get a personal trainer. When she first started with the trainer, she would have to psych herself up into going to the gym, and then she'd be sitting in the parking lot, not wanting to get out of the car. It took her 2 years to take that baby weight off, but she did it! As you listen to the interview, you'll be able to relate to her struggles and victories. It doesn't matter where you start, but how you finish! Finish strong moms, you can do it!
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13