Don’t even ask me what I was thinking!!! Shaking my fist at Katrina here. (with such love, of course!!)
Seriously, I thought this Summer of 7 would be easy-peasy. I mean, take each week and conquer 7 areas of excess in my life. Jen spent a month on each in 7, so a week should be a breeze! Well, here I am at the end of Day 1 and MERCY!
How much longer is 6 days? Somebody?
Preparation Day.
I spent yesterday in preparation mode all the while trying to stick with my plans (they aren’t rules, remember!) I had laid out. I wanted to get a jump start. Surely Jesus would give me extra bonus points for that, right?
I did so good preparing. However, one thing I learned was I needed to adjust. I originally had fish on my list instead of chicken. After a huge piece of grilled salmon, I figured I couldn’t do 7 days of fish. I hope Jesus doesn’t give demerits for that because I know he loves those fishermen. So I changed up my 7 to add chicken and deleted the fish. I was on a high. This was going to work.
By mid afternoon, I had a headache. I’m talking POUNDING! Probably because I had drank so much water my body was overdosing. So, I took a Motrin. I hope that is not considered a food or I might have gotten more demerits.
My headache subsides and I’m back on a high of seeking what God wants to mutinize within me.
My daughter comes over around 8pm-ish. She’s all gloomy and I can tell something is going on, but she’s not really talking. We finally end up watching a show curled up in my bed when she leans over and asks, “Mommy, are you all in to this eating healthy thing now?”
What?
“Well, I could really use some ice cream!” I just looked at her and that’s when it hits me. I set up quidelines, not hard and fast rules. And then BINGO this was preparation day! YEE HAW
We rushed off to the store and got ice cream. Needless to say her blues were gone! We sat around and visited. I shared my final plans and 7 foods with her and my hubby mentioning how I had tweaked it. And gave reminders that tomorrow is start day. For reals this time!
Day 1 – we begin.
Spent extra time devouring God’s word and devotionals this morning where I read “the way of the soul’s transformation is the way of Divine Companionship.” Definite reminder that I can conquer the tasks of 7, but if my companionship is not drawn more into Christ then I lose all the way around.
I got to enjoy a relaxing trip to the beach with a friend. Came back to a house full of good smelling BBQ.
Say What???
My hubby says, “It’s grilling day. Can’t you have pork ribs? or Beef?”
Hmmmmmm – NO JUST CHICKEN!!! I’m pretty sure I mentioned this last night.
Yeah for his team though, he did have some yummy chicken and juicy squash on the grill. The aroma was most pleasing to my soul and my tummy.
While I was complaining about my 7 foods and chicken to eat — PLENTY of chicken, I might add — I thought about the many who are starving. Really starving!! Why am I so consumed with how I’m going to survive off these 7 foods for 7 days?
Lord, forgive me. Mutinize my heart!
Have you ever fasted from certain foods before? What was your response?
Today I will be thankful – YES – for the many blessings I have! Listing my gifts over at A Holy Experience.
226. hubby waxing my car (y’all he’s the bomb!)
227. an uplifting leadership meeting
228. juicy BBQ
229. quite moments to reflect
230. delete buttons (wishing life had one)
231. relaxing trip to the beach with a friend
232. warm sun baking my soul
233. wedding photography
234. a late afternoon walk
235. iPod’s
236. encouraging meeting with a mentor
237. new habits (you will be thankful for this opportunity and book – good stuff!)
238. Jen Hatmaker’s book 7
249. new seasons
250. a cool summer’s breeze rushing through my hair
251. those taking on the Summer of 7 challenge (join in)
252. the Summer of 7 girls who keep me in stitches
253. local farmer’s
254. refreshing water
255. the quiet of a city morning
Ice cream is my weakness too…yummmm
Met too – especially when I get to enjoy it with my girls!
So I have to ask, did you eat the ribs? I think if my husband cooked a dinner like that, I would totally partake, forgive myself, then start at square one the next day.
I didn’t partake of the ribs. Had he not grilled chicken, as well, I’m sure I would have devoured them. I really don’t have that much self-control!!! LOL
This book is sitting here staring me in the face. I have yet to read it!
I have fasted from foods before. Ironically enough, it’s the way I discovered a number of my migraine triggers! who knew MSG would give a migraine? well, apparently a lot of people did, but I wasn’t one of them. until I fasted from packaged food. Also found out if I eliminate wheat from my diet, my seasonal allergy symptoms go away. Again, who knew? a lot of people knew…
So proud of you, friend, for being willing. Oh what God can do through a heart like yours!
Nikki – pick up that book and get to reading! It’s an eye-opener. I am enjoying my healthy choices, I must say.I’ll just be glad when there are a few more choices for me. :)
Oh man. I totally want some ice cream now! At least I have a little left, unlike the other cooking necessities like eggs and milk. I should have looked at the fridge before I set up our guidelines lol!
I was chuckling @ the ice cream…it can lift a mood sometimes…glad you went for it with your girl…sweet gratitude list…blessings, Alene :)
This is all very interesting! It does sound like a wonderful form of freedom.
Yay for juicy BBQ! :) A trip to the beach sounds wonderful. I so enjoy my Ipod! Beautiful list of gifts, Alene!
I laughed when reading #230 – delete button. Sometimes I wish I had a remote control to press the mute button at people, then I start thinking they’d probably be muting me more! Ha! Good luck with the Summer of 7 and thanks for sharing your list of this week. Blessings!