This past Monday I went to a step aerobics class at the gym. With a Barbie instructor. With too much energy. Who likes to do planks. I hate her.
I have been to step classes before and really enjoyed them. It is a great work-out, but this week was different. The class started out like normal. But, about 20 minutes in, Barbie tells us that we are going to do some ab work so we need to get on our mats. I envision crunches, which are bad enough, but I was sadly mistaken. Next thing I know she is yelling into her Madonna headset that we need to get into a plank. Which of course elicits a giggle from me because I know there is no way I can do a plank. She gives a less challenging option which I cling to like a life raft. We go from planks into push ups, while I utter death threats under my (shallow and labored) breath. In my mind I am thinking, "Ummm, I came for a step class... Where we stay on our feet... Upright.... Can we get back on the step now?" We finish a song and she asks if we want one more round of ab work to which I furiously shake my head. Barbie ignores me and we go for round 2. She actually sings along with the song at one point. While I gasp for air. Finally we get back up on the step and go back to business as usual. We end the class with more planks (on our sides this time) and afterwards I crawl to my car to calculate how many calories I burned. My Fitness Pal app tells me 977. I think that should be doubled, but I go with it. Think next time it would be awkward if I just stood in the back and did grapevines or box steps for the 10 minutes of planks?
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Open Hands, Open Heart
"I may be weak, but Your Spirit's strong in me. My flesh my fail, but my God You never will. Give me faith to trust what you say... That You're good, Your love is great. I'm broken inside, I give you my life." - Give Me Faith - Elevation Worship
I am learning more and more that God wants every part of me, not just the parts I feel comfortable turning over to Him. He wants to give me His strength when I am weak and mess up... again. He wants to comfort me when I am overwhelmed. He wants me to trust Him to provide in every area of my life. He wants me to have faith.
He is constantly reminding me that I need to come to Him. In my moments of frustration, I hear Him whisper, "Let me handle it. Give it to me." In my moments of exhaustion, I hear Him whisper, "Rest in me." Sometimes I think He is saying, "Hey, you keep doing this on your own. How's that workin' for ya?" And then I remember that I have the privilege of giving it to Him. He promises that when I come to Him broken and ready to hand over what I have been tightly clutching in my fist, He will bless my open hands. For when my hands are finally open and releasing whatever I have been holding onto, then they are also open to receive whatever He has for me.
"Pile your troubles on God's shoulders-He'll carry your load, He'll help you out. He'll never let good people topple into ruin." - Psalm 55:22 (MSG)
"Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and He knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: Our Father in Heaven, Reveal who You are." - Matthew 6:8-9 (MSG)
I am learning more and more that God wants every part of me, not just the parts I feel comfortable turning over to Him. He wants to give me His strength when I am weak and mess up... again. He wants to comfort me when I am overwhelmed. He wants me to trust Him to provide in every area of my life. He wants me to have faith.
He is constantly reminding me that I need to come to Him. In my moments of frustration, I hear Him whisper, "Let me handle it. Give it to me." In my moments of exhaustion, I hear Him whisper, "Rest in me." Sometimes I think He is saying, "Hey, you keep doing this on your own. How's that workin' for ya?" And then I remember that I have the privilege of giving it to Him. He promises that when I come to Him broken and ready to hand over what I have been tightly clutching in my fist, He will bless my open hands. For when my hands are finally open and releasing whatever I have been holding onto, then they are also open to receive whatever He has for me.
"Pile your troubles on God's shoulders-He'll carry your load, He'll help you out. He'll never let good people topple into ruin." - Psalm 55:22 (MSG)
"Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and He knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: Our Father in Heaven, Reveal who You are." - Matthew 6:8-9 (MSG)
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