The other day I took a short cut through a neighborhood and caught a glimpse of a man planting a garden. It was just a quick glance, but it was long enough to produce a lingering thought, "I wish I had a pretty garden."
For years I've looked at other people's beautiful gardens and sighed as a wish for my own swirled through my mind.
However, the quick glimpse of this man with his hands digging deep into the earth brought a new revelation into my wish for a garden. He has a garden because he invests time and energy to make it. He didn't wish it into being. He didn't hope it into being. He didn't just wake up one day and find that a garden had just popped into being.
No.
He worked at it. He sacrificed for it.
Day after day. Row by row. Seed by seed. Plant by plant. It took effort, intentionality, sweat equity, and determination. Then it took time and commitment before he ever saw any fruit from his labor.
But eventually, there was a bloom... and then another... and then another.
Yes, I drove by quickly glancing at and wishing for the flowers without a clue about all the work that had gone into producing those blooms.
I want the flowers but not the work.
Isn't that the way it is with many things in life- we want the results but have no desire to put in the work required.
Besides a garden, I've also wished for a thinner body but I've been lax about wanting to actually limit and alter my diet.
I'm great with exercising but when it comes to eating, I just want to eat what I want when I want to. Then I catch myself wishing I was thinner- making excuses about my age and metabolism- how unfair my genetic disposition is- blah, blah, blah.
The reality is I can't eat like a teenager and then complain about the source of my extra layers of fluff.
Or my pants size.
Or my tummy pooch.
Or my arms that are starting to wave back at me when I make extended arm movements.
I can't wish blooms into place anymore than I can wish fat away. It's just the cold, hard reality.
So, I've gotten intentional and decided to combine my diet situation with a prayer commitment for She Speaks. I've given up sugar and all things that contain sugar--- like bread, milk, pasta, chocolate, and treats of all kinds.
Basically, I eat what an animal you would find in the wild eats--- meat and things that grow naturally from the earth. Only I cook my food and use manners.
I'm encouraged by the possibilities of this new eating plan because I have yet to see an animal in the wild with cellulite.
Think about it.
But I obviously still crave the deliciousness of processed foods with sugar. Each time I do, I pray for our upcoming conference.
Maybe by the time you see me chatting it up with Jennifer Rothschild (wink, wink) at the conference, I'll be a wee bit more healthy.
But don't be expecting any fresh cut flowers from my garden. That is still but a wish.
A girl can't do it all you know.
p.s. Y'all are just so smart and you totally got it right. I'll post the DaySpring gift pack winner on Monday.
For years I've looked at other people's beautiful gardens and sighed as a wish for my own swirled through my mind.
However, the quick glimpse of this man with his hands digging deep into the earth brought a new revelation into my wish for a garden. He has a garden because he invests time and energy to make it. He didn't wish it into being. He didn't hope it into being. He didn't just wake up one day and find that a garden had just popped into being.
No.
He worked at it. He sacrificed for it.
Day after day. Row by row. Seed by seed. Plant by plant. It took effort, intentionality, sweat equity, and determination. Then it took time and commitment before he ever saw any fruit from his labor.
But eventually, there was a bloom... and then another... and then another.
Yes, I drove by quickly glancing at and wishing for the flowers without a clue about all the work that had gone into producing those blooms.
I want the flowers but not the work.
Isn't that the way it is with many things in life- we want the results but have no desire to put in the work required.
Besides a garden, I've also wished for a thinner body but I've been lax about wanting to actually limit and alter my diet.
I'm great with exercising but when it comes to eating, I just want to eat what I want when I want to. Then I catch myself wishing I was thinner- making excuses about my age and metabolism- how unfair my genetic disposition is- blah, blah, blah.
The reality is I can't eat like a teenager and then complain about the source of my extra layers of fluff.
Or my pants size.
Or my tummy pooch.
Or my arms that are starting to wave back at me when I make extended arm movements.
I can't wish blooms into place anymore than I can wish fat away. It's just the cold, hard reality.
So, I've gotten intentional and decided to combine my diet situation with a prayer commitment for She Speaks. I've given up sugar and all things that contain sugar--- like bread, milk, pasta, chocolate, and treats of all kinds.
Basically, I eat what an animal you would find in the wild eats--- meat and things that grow naturally from the earth. Only I cook my food and use manners.
I'm encouraged by the possibilities of this new eating plan because I have yet to see an animal in the wild with cellulite.
Think about it.
But I obviously still crave the deliciousness of processed foods with sugar. Each time I do, I pray for our upcoming conference.
Maybe by the time you see me chatting it up with Jennifer Rothschild (wink, wink) at the conference, I'll be a wee bit more healthy.
But don't be expecting any fresh cut flowers from my garden. That is still but a wish.
A girl can't do it all you know.
p.s. Y'all are just so smart and you totally got it right. I'll post the DaySpring gift pack winner on Monday.
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