Circle Makers.

I shared last year that I read a book called 'The Circle Maker', all about prayer.  You should probably take a  second to read or reread that post for this one to make the most sense.  You can find it here.   The book challenged me to pray big and bold prayers and not be afraid to let others know what I'm praying for.

After finishing it I stole my favorite idea from the book and made a little prayer wall on my fridge.  I gave each request it's own post it note on the fridge with the person's name I was praying for and what my specific desires for them were.  Then I dated the bottom right corner of each one as I placed them up there and waited expectantly for the Lord to answer.

On January 5th of this year I took the first post it down and shared my first big victory with my friends via facebook:

It was a sweet, emotional moment for me to be on the sidelines as our coach took the field that game and I snapped this picture as a reminder to myself that the Lord answers prayers.What a blessing it is that Coach Pagano returned to finish the seasons as our coach and that I was there to see it.

This week I wrote a note to my Dad who was unaware that I had been faithfully praying for a miracle playoff appearance and a miraculous healing for his boss these past three months.  I told him a little about the prayer journey and the note that's been on my fridge the last the months and I included that post it for him to keep as a reminder as well.

I hope this post reminds each of you to celebrate answered prayers, to give God the glory in all situations, and to be faithful in submitting your requests to Him.  I look forward to taking the remaining 8 original post its down and passing them on to their rightful owners in the future as well as adding new ones and praying for many of you.

God is so faithful.  Keep making circles.

Chuck Strong!

B

End of the Fast, End of a Rut?

Well, I'm happy to announce the fast is over and life can now return to 'normal', as normal as my life ever is anyway. I'm not sad to say goodbye, to be honest. It was a challenge I'm glad I completed but don't be surprised if this was the one and only time I do this type of fast.

As previously mentioned I didn't feel so hot during this fast. Low energy. Kind of moody. No strength to do weight training. I could tell my body wasn't real happy. A lot of the other girls doing it said they're energy bounced back after a bit, but truthfully, mine never did.

I also had several bad stomach days during the fast (proving yet again that it's not dairy or caffeine that's making me sick) so those were extra frustrating when I wasn't even eating (or drinking) food I like. Wah.

Aside from having to cut back my workouts which I love and not enjoying food for 21 days, the fast had it's fair share of emotional hardships as well. I shared a pretty tough blog entry a week or so ago about the clarity I prayed for, and got. I knew going into the fast that the answers I got to my prayers may not be what I wanted...but man, did I really get some tough wakeup calls.

Life and relationships are hard. I know that. But doesn't it seem like all the tough stuff comes at once? The first couple days of the fast came with some hard realizations and while I was down I felt like life gave me a swift kick in the stomach. I kept reminding myself that A. I asked for it and B. the rainbow comes AFTER the storm. But I'm just going to throw it out there -I hope this ends with the fast. I've had enough ecky discoveries to last me a good while now.

Here's some positives:

- after a tough couple weeks of being broken down, I feel the rebuilding on the horizon. I hope to come back stronger than ever, and I mean that on several levels.

- answers. I prayed and I got some answers. Not always the ones I wanted, but answers none-the-less.

- I lost 5 pounds. Hey, rejoice in victories, right?

- All things, good or bad, come to an end, and end she did.

- It is done and I never have to do it again if I don't want. : ]

Thanks for all your encouragement along the way. I really felt your prayers as well as your love and support. Thank you to my vegetarian and vegan friends who rallied with some good food ideas. Thank you to all who wanted me to succeed. I'm grateful to have people like you in my life.

Love,

B

Seeking and Finding.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart - Jeremiah 29:13

This fast has always been about stripping away the distractions (in this case food) and sacrificing the pleasure I gain from that (or diet coke) and replacing it with time with the Lord. I don't believe there is a point in taking away something unless you plan to replace it with something more beneficial. I have prayed that this time would be a time of the Lord giving me clarity. The nature of the things in which I'm seeking clarity makes it a little complicated for me to share with you about it here. Know this, I am pursuing the Lord's direction in all aspects of my life as I seek to know Him more.

The bible study I'm doing with my small group, One in a Million, asked if we are fully experiencing the Lord's blessing in our lives - why or why not? As I pondered my own answer to that question I really dug deep. This is what I wrote. No, at this time I do not believe I'm experiencing the fullness of blessing the Lord desires to give me because I have yet to fully let go of my desire to succeed in the world. I still care what people think. I still want to have a beautiful home, a job, money in the bank, vacations. I live in semi-fear that when I fully let go of my hold on the world, the Lord will take those away.

This is not what the Lord says in his word. Yes as Christians we will face hard times, that much I know and have experienced. But the Lord promises that if we seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, the rest will be given to us. I believe with all my heart the truth of those words. So why can't I let go? Control. Relinquishing control has always been a tough thing for me. I keep handing one thing after another to the Lord but I find myself holding a few things back for myself to manage.

This fast has been eye opening in many ways to me. To my severe addiction to diet coke, obviously. To how much of my time and thought process use to go into what I ate and drank. To how much of my money is wrapped up there as well. This fast really isn't about food though, is it? As I ask the Lord for wisdom I find that he is giving it to me. He's opening my eyes to so many things I wasn't seeing clearly before. I see him answering my prayers and giving me the desired clarity on my life.

I'm being honest with myself and with Him about the things I'm holding back and I'm seeking his strength as I look at letting them go.

God is good friends, all the time.

Love,
B