Okay you guys, I have a confession to make. I have talked the talk but I have not walked the walk. I kept true to the fast food challenge though! In fact, when the month was over I went into Dairy Queen and enjoyed the most delicious burger my heart could ever desire. Unfortunately, my stomach had different ideas. So, all in all, I decided fast food is no longer for me. It is no longer a monthly challenge but a permanent dietary change. As for the physical part of the challenge, let’s just say it was nonexistent. In the last month or so I have encountered some setbacks that will hopefully be resolved soon. Some of these setbacks have included quite a bit of fatigue and some pain here and there that is a bit worrisome. With the intent of catching everything early (if it is anything at all) we are going back to the Lyme doctor to get it all checked out. I went into all of this thinking that after the initial treatment I would be all better and that I would stay in remission unless something traumatic were to happen such as surgery or something that would drastically lower my immune system but what I am learning is that this may in fact be a longer process than I thought. Recently, I got the chance to meet with someone who also has Lyme disease. He has had it for about five years so he is a little bit ahead of me treatment and recovery wise. None the less it was an eye opener for me. It made me realize that ten months of antibiotics is not going to magically cure me. It is going to take a lot longer than that and I have to learn to be patient. I heard a saying once that has always stuck with me, “An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backwards. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means that it’s going to launch you into something great. So just focus and keep aiming.” God knows my future and he knows where I need to be. I will get there in God’s timing not mine. This is just a detour. This is my scenic route so I will be patient and stop to smell some roses on the way! I don’t mean to say all this to complain, I promise. It is merely to explain that everyone has their ups and downs and this is one of my downs. I am still planning on participating in the Capital 10K in April though! Nothing will ever change that! I still strive for my goals and give 110% at everything I do (even when I shouldn’t). I work hard, play hard, and enjoy my life to the fullest despite my limitations. So this month’s challenge is to look around you and thank God for everything you have. Spend this month like it is your last. Take nothing for granted and really think about how much we are all blessed. When you are out on a walk around your neighborhood look at all the houses and realize there is a family that calls that house their home and inside that family is a unique story. There are seven billion people on this earth. Every number has a name and every name has a story. So your challenge this month is to look at your story and to realize all the blessings that live inside your unique story. This month is dedicated to saying a little prayer for the person who cuts you off in morning rush hour instead of getting irritated. It is dedicated to knowing it is not about where you've been, it's about what you're doing now and where you are going. It is dedicated to opening your eyes and seeing what God has done for you and those around you. February is dedicated to looking at everything through God’s eyes and seeing what truly is his awesome power. That is your challenge this month and I wish you all the best of luck! Remember this is a challenge so dig deep and really put some thought into it! You might be surprised at all the things you find!
“People think I’m strong for the struggles I’ve had, problems I’ve encountered, and pains I’ve felt, but they are wrong I am weak but behind me is a STRONG GOD.”
