Happy Wednesday, church family!
Last week, I went to Costco, then realized I forgot several things once I got home. Whoops. Instead of driving back, I placed an order online at Costco, and threw in a couple pairs of jeans, because they were cheap, and let’s be honest, I don’t have many that currently fit me. The jeans came in the mail, I tried one pair on, and kept them on the rest of the day. I hadn’t had jeans that were that comfortable in ages!
OK, no big deal, right? I found comfortable jeans that fit. Hooray! But my friends, this was a lot more than a pair of comfy jeans. I’m at the point in my life where I’m eating right (more than just celery, Andy), and exercising, but my body just doesn’t cooperate and do the things I think it should… like fitting into my clothes. So what is my reaction? Frustration. Thoughts of how I *should* look and fit into things. I keep wearing jeans that are too tight, and are a constant physical reminder of what my body used to be able to fit into. I put on those jeans from Costco, and suddenly, I was comfortable. I wasn’t constantly thinking how tight the waist was, and from there, how irritated I was that I didn’t fit into them.
After speaking with many of you this past Sunday, I think Andy’s sermon smacked several of us in the face when he said: You can leave the waiting room of your expectations and step into where your life actually is. And: What I struggle with is comparing myself to my own expectations of where I should be. Argh. I often forget to appreciate what’s right there in front of me, in favor of hoping for perfection, which, unfortunately, is just not ever going to happen.
For the last year, I’ve been staying in the waiting room of what my body used to be, and in the process, forgetting to appreciate the body I have, and take care of it where it is right now. I also realized that when I’m fretting about something, perseverating about the way it “should” be, most of the time, I’m not inviting Jesus into that frustration to hold it for me. Actually, that’s not true. I have many times invited Jesus in, but a few minutes later, I feel like if I really cared about it, I’d worry about it, so I take it back. You know, because worrying and stressing gets things done. (Please read that sentence with dripping sarcasm). Time to shift my mentality.
Jesus, today I choose to give you the frustrations with my body. Thank You for a body that has grown and fed 2 children, and done all kinds of crazy things over the years. I choose to have grace for myself. I choose to reject the tight jeans in my life in favor of ones that fit, to help me focus on the present, where my life actually is. Bless and seal these good things, in Your precious name, amen.
May your week be blessed,
Lisa
PS A mom’s group I was in 20 years ago did a study on a book called All I Need is Jesus and a Good Pair of Jeans. Perhaps it’s time for a re-read!
