Soccer with Jesus & Childlike faith

There is something about having an infant and toddler that allows me to understand two things: One the heart of Jesus, and two, childlike faith that the bible talks about.

The heart of a mother or father:

Lets talk about the heart of Jesus. Being a parent brings on a love that no one can explain. It is a love that is deeper and a bond that hits the innermost part of your heart.

The love that I have for my children is a unconditional love that no matter what they do wrong I will never abandon them. I will always believe in them, take care of them and because I love them I have to also discipline them. I hurt when they hurt, I take that back I hurt MORE when they hurt.

I always have their best interest at hand and I am their strongest advocate! I will never lead them down a beaten path and I promise to protect them. BUT I will also let them fall when they need to so, Jesus can pick them up. I will allow them to make tough choices so that they can receive the blessings that God has in store for them. And no matter how hard it will be, I am going to have to let fail so they can learn.

When I examine my heart and love for my kids, I understand God’s heart. Because I am His and He is mine. He loves me more and knows me more because He created me. I cannot even fathom that!

‘For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And [that] my soul knows very well.

My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, [And] skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When [as yet there were] none of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!’

Psalm 139:13-17

Childlike faith

You hear the old cliche “ oh to be a baby again to only have to worry about eating, sleeping and pooping.” I thought about that for a second. And truth be told, I doubt that Caleb worries about anything!

He is in total surrender to his mother. He doesn't worry about his next meal, because he knows that I will be nursing him soon. He doesn't worry about a dirty diaper because as soon as I smell it, its gone. He doesn't worry about what he will wear because as long as he is not cold or hot he is happy. He has total trust and faith in me that I am going to take care of him because I love him and show him that. A picture of total trust in the Father.

Noah, my prophet, preacher, worshiper and everything else in between. He plays with Jesus. Yup some have imaginary friends but my son plays with Jesus. The other day I told him stop kicking the soccer ball in the house and he said he was playing soccer with Jesus. He said “ come on Jesus” and ran around the house kicking his ball. A few seconds later I heard “ wow you are really good at this game Jesus.” :) He once told me that Jesus was sleeping in his room and I needed to leave out a blanket. He tells me that he has Jesus in his heart. At night he laughs in his sleep and I know it is Jesus! He sings worship songs at the top of his lungs when we are shopping not caring who is listen and doesn't hesitate to sing about Jesus! His prayers are Innocent and they are from the heart.

I will close with a story of the time we were at Costco. I saw a man who was homeless sitting at a table. I got Noah's had held him tight as we passed by. I looked for the farthest table to sit at. As we ate our pizza, I couldn't help but notice Noah smiling at this man. We asked him what he was smiling about and he leaned over and whispered “ Mommy that is Jesus.” I was so convicted he saw more than a homeless man he saw Jesus.

This is the childlike faith that Jesus talks about! I want to totally trust God like Caleb and play soccer with Jesus! And have the eyes of a child that sees Jesus in everything.

"Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."

Matthew 10:15

-Mon

Eat simple!

People often say that eating healthy, has no flavor, taste gross and cost to much. I also was guilty, however as I find healthier ways to feed the family, I will have to disagree...!

My husband has been eating non-fat Greek yogurt this whole week and had no clue I switched him from his low-fat organic plain... He has yet to tell me that it taste different! Last night I made Asher mac and cheese and I added puree of sweet potato and he ate it up and had no idea there was a vegetable in there. ;)

Some farmers markets have their organic veggies on sale and it is cheaper than the non organic. I will agree that sometimes good ol fat taste better. You just gotta get creative! One thing I never did is look at the labels. I know you may say you don't know how to read them or what to look for. Well I will tell you this, just looking at the amount of sugar alone in something will be enough to keep you from buying... for reals.. Also will make you cry to!

Eating better doesn't need to be alot of work.. it can be this simple.. Drink lots of water and stay away from any other drinks. Tea and Coffee are ok, but caffeine makes you hungry so be careful. Eat all natural products ( doesn't have to be organic) these are products that haven't been processed like chips, etc. This is your fruits and veggies..Stick to the browns.. Brown rice, wheat bread, etc... more fiber and better for you. Stay away from all the sugar stuff, cookies, candy, cakes etc!!! ( I know I am crying with you) Take a multi vitamin and bam I guarantee you will have success!

This is a lifestyle change and not a diet. As most of you know I was a die hard WW queen and although it works I found this time around it isn't for me. I cant count points all my life, I just need to make the changes in my eating.. Meal planning is the key, make a menu and prep your food on a Sunday for the week. These are the things that have been helping me. This does take some work but from experience I rather be proactive than reactive.

Preventing is better than maintaining a weigh related illness (i.e high blood pressure, diabetes etc.)

Have fun exploring new foods.. Eat simple!

"5k, soy sauce and breaking down walls! "

Its was always at the 3-4 minute in that I would hit a wall. I am not sure why at that minute I would begin to feel my chest tighten, my legs become weak and anxiety would set it.

Running has always been a challenge for me. Perhaps the old memories of running that mile in high school and fear of being that chubby girl finishing last still haunts me. I don't think it was physical but a mental block of fear that caused my body to feel the physical pain. The desire to run a marathon has been on my heart, but the fear of hitting that wall also set me back.

As I sat there in the pouring rain a few weeks ago watching people run and live out their dreams of running in the LA marathon, I thought “why not me”. Why am I allowing fear to hold me back from my desire to run! The bible has alot to say about running in a race and one thing penetrates my heart, the thought of "obtaining" the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24 states that many run but only a few obtain the prize.

I left there wrestling with my desires and fears. I want to obtain “that” prize but I also know that when that 4 minute mark sets in I always stop and it is time to walk. The next day I prayed got on my treadmill. As I started to run, I approached that 4 minute mark and true to form, fear, anxiety the tightness of chest set in. Instead of stopping and walking this time I kept going. I did not allow that fear to paralyze me again, and I broke through that wall that has been up for many years.


I was not going to let that fear hold me back anymore. I realized that the wall was more mental than physical. As the minutes ticked slowly the physical pain went away and I was running.... Last night I ran two miles, took me about a half hour but guess what I didn't stop to walk at all! And let me tell you that it feels awesome! I am running my first 5k on May 1st. To some it may be just three miles but to me, it will be an accomplishment and just a beginning. There is something about running with my headphones listening to worship that brings me peace. I love it! The vision of that chubby chick finishing last is slowing fading away....

So on a side note... my lunch with the girlfriends was so nice Saturday. If you follow my blog you know that I needed “me” time. We had sushi and I think I ate the California rolls faster than you can say “cal”. Sorry ladies I eat like a fireman because with a toddler and baby who knows when my next meal will be. I also manage to drop my sushi roll in my soy sauce, but don't worry I didn't get dirty... MY FRIEND did! Yup all over her WHITE shirt :( I know right? Who brought the girl that never gets out!

We had a blessed afternoon, and ended it at the running store shopping for some running shoes! Which I am learning that running as a past time can be a bit expensive! BUT I know where God guides He provides... I promise to be on better behavior next time ladies on our next girlfriend date!!!

You have a fear that is holding you back? You ever get to a place where there is wall in front of you and instead of facing it, you back down. If so there is hope and I can tell you that whatever is behind it, is waiting to bless you. It is closer than you think. You can do, don't allow fear to hold you back, allow your faith to help you conquer it! Obtain it!

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. "

1 Corn. 9:24

Praying for many broken walls,
Moni

Guilty Mom Syndrome!

I don't clock in, I don't clock out, I don't get paid, I'm always on call, I don't ever leave the office, I don't get sick days, personal days, vacation days, I don't get paid mileage, and some days I don't even abide by the dress code ( get a shower before 9pm). I don't have any personal space, I get spit up on, coughed on, breathed on, boogied on and some times pooped on and some days I don't even get a bathroom break!

I am a mom and this is my Job!

If I am being honest the last 6 months I have been 100% mommy, 65 % wifey :0, 50% daughter, 45% friend, 35 % daughter to the most highest king :( and 2% me :/

Talk about being totally unbalanced! I have talked in previous blogs about balance, mainly with faith, food and fitness but there is one major component that needs to be addressed...me or you!

When we become moms, we replace the “me” with “ mom”. Perhaps there is a stigma that if we are not giving “all” of ourselves to our families we are being selfish. Thus creating “guilty mom syndrome”.. No really google it, it really exist! One form can be if you are away from your children you feel guilty doing so. There needs to be balance and I am not talking about the “selfish” me. I am talking about the devoted quality time enriched with devotion with God, working out, spending time with girlfriends and being you!

It is important that that we take time for self. Why? Because if not, we can get burnt out, stressed out, bitter or angry ( don't judge! and don't look at the screen like you don't know what I am talking about) impatient (yup... right?) and unworthy or unhappy with self.

The other day, my hubs came home, and I had on my Pj’s, greasy hair, rice cereal in my hair, shirt and the house was upside down ( I know I wouldn't have come home either!) He looked at me and with the fear in his eyes said “whats wrong?”

With one deep breathe it went something like this......
“ I want to go somewhere, somewhere without having to take out the car seat, where I don’t need a stroller, somewhere without a baby or toddler, where I can take longer than five minutes to eat my meal, where the only meal I need to cut up is my own, where I can talk without having to get interrupted and forget where we left off, where I can talk about girl stuff, stuff that doesn’t involve a cartoon song, where I don’t need to say “sit, your going to fall, or listen or come here” anywhere just for an hour or two

... pause to see his reaction....

“ANNNND i need to go soon, like this weekend, like with grown up people, Girls in fact, somewhere other than my treadmill or running the streets!”

And this my friend is what happens when you don’t take time for yourself! Oh man rereading that makes me sound terrible! oh well don’t judge! hahah I love my family however not having that balance and taking time for me, brought me to a bad place. It made me irritable, impatient, jealous ( i know, terrible) lazy and crushed my spirit. This is not the mommy God desires me to be.

Ladies.. mommy’s... the fact of the matter is this, it is critical that we take time for ourselves regularly, if not it will damage our family and crush the spirit of those that we care about. It is a crucial part of faith, food and fitness...

I don’t have it all figured out just yet, but tomorrow I am having lunch with a few girlfriends and that is a start. I cant guarantee that I wont bust out a yo gabba gabba song, or cut up someone’s meal but it is a start. And I am pretty sure that half way through my meal I will get that “GMS” but its a start!

Have you been neglecting yourself, do yourself a favor and do something for you today, something that will increase your faith, food or fitness lifestyle!!!!

BTW is it just me? Am I the only one? If not can I get a “WURD!”

XOXOXOX
guilty mommy!

"Check your spirit, Not the dessert!"

We are people that are made up of body, soul and spirit. In order to be rightly aligned with the will of God, your spirit should be the controlling force in your life.

That means that it is not your appetite that is controlling your over eating. In order to create better eating habits you need to check your spirit. What is controlling force in your life?

Gods will is for us to lead healthy lives. To protect our temple (our body) the bible talks about this many times.

1 Corinthians 10:31
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Imagine how differently we would eat if we thought about this scripture every time we sat to eat. Have you ever ate something loaded with fat only to feel bad and sick after eating it? Why do you think that is? Perhaps because it isn't God’s will to be eating that way, to eat junk that is polluting our temple. Can you imagine polishing off a pastrami from the “Hat” and saying Jesus t” all glory to you”! Oh heck no!

Lets talk about the spirit aspect of it.. There is no doubt that depending on your spirit will dictate how you eat? Does “comfort” food sound familiar? If it does be careful because there should be only one comforter and it shouldn't be food. For some reason when the rain and grey clouds move in, my spirit is weaken. I don't know why but I get lazy, feel blah and when that happens, guess what?

I start to crave more coffee and a pastry to wash it down. On a sunny day it is totally not the case. This can seem innocent, however it is just an example how your spirit can be the driving force to bad eating. Being aware of this can help me check my spirit before I check out what I can eat for dessert.

Food isn't necessarily the problem. You have problems with your eating? Check your spirit and practice self control! I read one time that, self control is like a great big hug, it wraps itself around you and keeps you safe!!

xoxox
mon