About your weight loss...

For once, I’m not talking about my New Year’s Resolutions. I didn’t make any this year. January saw me following God’s will like this:

“God, you want me to get out of bed now? OK." I obey. "You want me to shower, dress and eat something? Yes, Lord. You’d like me to brush my teeth now? I could skip it…Sure, Lord. Can I go back to bed now and cry? No? OK."

By now, your probably thinking, get this girl some Prozac, (or whatever). I started a cilantro regimen instead and it helps a bit. 2012 was the hardest year yet of our ministry as missionaries. There were attacks on various fronts, but then Satan messed with our kids, and our peace. In the aftermath, we traveled to the States for Christmas, and I licked an airplane tray to get the flu. (No, I didn’t mom) For a week I laid under the covers sick, discouraged, and cried and cried. I wrestled with the Holy Spirit. I thought I signed the contract that said Christians don’t have to deal with this brand of Satan-in-a-can. Apparently, it’s not in the contract. I cried out to God for a breakthrough and it came in the form of this song I learned as a little girl, (Not the first time the weapons of childhood praise have saved me…)

Count your blessings, name them one by one

Count your blessings, see what God has done,

Count your blessings,

Name them one by one,

Count your many blessings, see what God has done.

In my perfect right to cry and pout, God showed me He had something different for me. My spirit of depression could not co-exist with my little song. I laid down my rights, and I began to sing my little song in the morning, brushing my teeth, and step by step just obeying the Lord. At first robotically, then with more vigor. The joy of the Lord is my STRENGTH. Whatever your challenge is for the New Year, be it weight loss, writing that book, or organizing your sock drawer, face it armed with joy. Here’s to a joyous 2013! (Pat self on back for not posting this in February.)