Drifting

There I stood on the shoreline gazing out looking out at all the surfers . I remember thinking how I would never go that far in the ocean. I was about nine years old and we rarely made it out to the beach much, perhaps because we were Mexican. And when we did we didn't stay long because my mom didn't enjoy the sand. 

So , there I stood with my lil butt cheeks hanging out of the bottom of my swim suit that was a little snug. ok who am I kidding that thing was screaming to get off. I don't care, I had a rad new boggie board. Gripping tightly to that board, I held on for dear life as I approached wave after wave. "Come out here."..came between the waves from my brother and cousin who were much daring than I.

"Nope! I'm comfortable here where my feet can touch the ocean floor." They made their way to me making fun of me and again trying to convince me it was much funner farther out. Wave after wave, we played in the ocean and before I knew it there I was clinging to my board and my feet could no longer feel the bottom.

Looking out to see how far the shoreline was I Immediately panicked, how on earth did I get this far out?

Webster defines "drift" as this-

: a slow and gradual movement or change from one place, condition, etc., to another

I slowly drifted and it was not intentional, but as I got distracted with playing with the boys I slowly made my way to uncharted waters.

I don't believe someone intentionally ends up at 189 pounds at 5'2. I don't believe some intentionally draws away from the Lord. I don't believe that someone who has been working out consistently for months or years, wakes up one day and decides not work out anymore. I don't believe that someone goes to a place of sin that will wreck their life intentionally.

This weekend I attended a women's retreat and one of the speakers brought up drifting, and it really made me evaluate times in my life when I have drifted from the things that are good. It is easy to drift If we are not careful.

You see one compromise here, one there and soon you find yourself in waters where your feet cannot touch the ground. It made me really evaluate where in my life at this very moment have I drifted from. Taking that self examination it made me realize that I have drifted from the very three things that prompted this blog, my faith, food and fitness.

Lord how did I end up here? You drifted Moni, that's how. Remember when you were to busy to hear me calling you? I was trying to increase your faith.Remember that testing, I was trying to get you to trust me. Remember when you said, just one bite of this will not hurt? It led to another and then another. Remember when you choose to sit on the couch and watch two hours of tv, when it was time to run? You drifted.... 

It didn't happen overnight but very slowly. If we are not careful and intentional in the things that matter most we will find our self in a place far off wondering how on earth did I get so far away. 

My brother saw the panic in my face and he swam to me and grabbed a hold of the board and wave after wave we rode it to shore. 

In the book of Matthew, it tells us that when Peter was walking on water to Jesus and started to sink, he called out, and IMMEDIATELY Jesus stretched out His arm to help him. Don't you love that about God that despite how much we mess up, lack faith, have unbelief or don't trust, when we call upon His name and He immediately stretches out His arm to save us.

 

I mean seriously Peter, you had Jesus right there walking on water with you and calling you, how on earth could you have any once of fear? It says Peter took his eyes off The Lord and placed them on the water. Doh..... Um yea that's happen to me more than a few times!

 

Are you drifting? Have you drifted? If you have, you have to know that you are never to far from the shore. When you call upon The Lord He will immediately stretch out his hand to save you and help you. May God help us to keep our feet planted in Him and His word. When we use Him as the anchor and truly believe he is the anchor of our soul, it is impossible to drift.

 

Commit all your ways to Him. Tonight I commit to Him my faith, my food and my fitness and declare that He is the anchor to my soul. I pray He is also yours. Friends it truly a labor some journey ! I know I can beat a dead horse by saying don't do it alone, but I will encourage you again. Surround yourself with ladies that will come alongside and be the lifter of your arms. Be humble, be transparent and be real, because we all know no one is all that and a bag of chips! #whatdoesthatmeananyways #idontevenlikechipswithoutsalsa #dopeoplestillsaythatanymore

Here is a picture from our retreat.. These are a few ladies who stand in the gap and are the lifter of my hands when I am tired.. I am truly blessed and many more who are not in this picture. I heart truly overflows with Gods Grace! 

Trusting god, being faithful, 

Love you,

Moni