I'm tired of thinking of titles!!!

Looky here! I actually found another picture of just me. This was taken in July when we were waiting for fireworks to start and had nothing better to do than take goofy pictures... :-)

I've been faced with a little problem this week. It has been cold this week (I suppose it is getting to be autumn, but it's hard to believe the summer is almost over!) and today was cold and rainy - not suitable weather for shorts and a t-shirt. So, I went digging through my closet in search of warmer clothes only to find once again - everything is too big. Seriously! I got rid of almost every piece of autmn/winter clothes I had last year. I did manage to come up with a pair of big comfy sweatpants and an oversized sweatshirt to wear, but eesh! I'm not going out in public in this outfit! I'll have to do a little shopping before the weather gets too cold. Anybody know of any good sales going on??? :-)

And now, time for a little confession. (I can see you all leaning forward in your chairs while wondering what in the world I'll say next...) Well, sorry. I'm not going to shock and amaze you. But, here's the simply truth - I did NOT want to get out of bed this morning to exercise. (Now I can hear you all thinking, "That's it? Some confession.") But really, we stayed up a little late last night watching a movie, and when the alarm went off this morning, I tried to come up with a change in my schedule or a simple excuse of why I shouldn't get up. I was tired! I didn't want to get up and get all sweaty. It was cold! My bed was so warm. Waa! Waa! Waa! I was having a little fit and was generally a grumpy, torn Bekah. My little pity party lasted for about 10 minutes before I finally made the choice to roll out of bed. When I had dressed and hopped on the treadmill, I still wasn't feeling much better, but I decided I was going to make the best of it - all the while bemoaning my situation. And to make matters worse, it was cold and rainy outside. No sunshine to brighten my mood. Just gloomy clouds.

I started the worship music and began walking. I've listened to this particular CD for the past few mornings, so I wasn't really paying attention to it. I was too busy trying to perk up and "get with the program". But right at the end of my warmup, the 2nd song caught my attention. It has a catchy tune and I began humming along (since it's impossible to sing well while doing cardio!). And that's when the words to the song hit me. What was I humming? Well, it goes something like this -

I'm reaching for the prize...I'm giving everything,

I give my life for this...it's what I live for

Nothing will keep me from...all that you have for me,

You hold my head up high...I live for you

Greater is He that's living in me,

than he that is in the world

Faith... I can move the mountain... I can do all things through Christ... I know! ...Faith... Standing and believing... I can do all things through Christ... who strengthens me. Faith.".

Hmm. Let's just say that right there on the treadmill I had a little attitude check. I mean, why was I complaining? It was my choice to stay up late, and I knew that I needed to exercise before family devotions this morning. I had no one to blame about my lack of sleep but myself. It was time to grow up - take responsibility for a stupid decision and get on with my workout! And, that's exactly what I did. I was humming most enthusiastically (my lips were tickling something fierce!) and doing my best not to focus on myself while I completed my exercise time. The time didn't fly by, and I didn't fell like I was walking on air, but my heart was peaceful as I kept pushing on.

The sun still hasn't come out. No birds are singing today. It's still gloomy and wet. And I'm still tired. But God's Word is living and active - in me and in you. Speak it, believe it. Let it change you. And all the friction from it slicing and cutting while "dividing soul and spirit, joint and marrow" outta warm you right up! It did for me. Better than any cup of hot cocoa ever could! (Besides, I really shouldn't have hot cocoa anyway...)

Warmed within ~ Bekah