You know how so many of us pray for God to give us a focus word each year? Often it's a word that keeps showing up and we pretty much know that's the one. God sent the word "boundaries" into my life several years ago, through an unexpected source. I had asked for some advice from my son-in-love, who is one of the finest Christian men I know (not to mention he's the Daddy to my grands 😍). He told me that I needed to set boundaries and that word has shown up in my life so many times. Another word God spoke to me at the beginning of this year was "discipline". As I pondered on this word I realized just how hand-in-hand it goes with setting boundaries, so both words have been "my words for 2023".
The advice my son-in-law gave me had absolutely nothing to do with food, but that's where my discipline and boundaries seem to require the most work (well, along with too much time looking at my phone, but I digress). I lost a signifigant amount of weight beginning in April of 2022 and it continued during my stay with Mom. I actually felt like I'd maybe lost too much because I was feeling so tired and run down. When I went to the doctor in March of this year for sciatica, I had gained from my last appointment and my doctor told me that I needed to gain. I've NEVER in my 68 years of life had a doctor tell me that I needed to gain weight. My daughter told me recenly that she felt I looked better now. But, here's my reason for this post.....
ACCOUNTABILITY
Not even my doctor nor my precious daughter saying those things to me can justify my addiction to food, especially sugar. I've known this about myself for a very long time. If I take that first bite of anything sweet (actually, any carb, which as we know turns to sugar)....then I'm out of control. Have you read the book Sweet Freedom by Teresa Shields Parker? It talks exactly about the effects sugar has on me, and so many others, including the author of the book. I've gotten back into some of those same old habits that got me into such a terrible shape in the first place....turning to food when I'm stressed and especially when I'm tired (which seems to be most of the time these days....old age?).
Another area I've allowed to slack is my walking. Walking is supposed to be good for sciatica, but sometimes my sciatica kept me from walking so it was a vicious cycle.
But....I decided that because of something that's going on for the next 3 weeks, it's the perfect time to regroup....
through DISCIPLINE and setting BOUNDARIES....
and sharing for the accountability!
Can anybody relate?
(And can we blame it on Eve since she seemed to have started this vicious cycle with food with that bite of the 'forbidden fruit'? Just kidding....kinda! 😊)
Happy Monday, Y'all!
