Thursday, March 24, 2011

Reshaping it All - Day 24

Reshaping it All - Day 24

By Darlene Schacht, Co-author of Reshaping it All

After ten years, I can finally say with confidence that I am a lifetime member of "Reshaping it All." Being a lifetime member doesn’t mean that I’m so tiny I slip back into my high school jeans, nor does it mean that I don’t struggle with the desire to eat more often than I should. What it does mean to me is that I have been walking this journey day after day, year after year for over a decade.

I’m averaged-sized, and while I’d love to be micro-mini-sized, so I’d look adorable in baby doll dresses and swimsuits, I’m not. I walk and I fall; I lose and I gain. Three steps forward—two steps back. But slowly and surely I’m getting there.

I wear a size 7 pants, but if I shop at the “generous” clothing stores that stroke my ego with rock bottom numbers, I might squeeze into a size 4.

I haven’t always been this way. I wore plus-sized clothing in my mid-twenties through to my early-thirties, but I’ve come a long way, and I’m not going back!

One day as I was reaching into the fridge for some strawberries, a revelation came to mind. It was then—during that moment of choice—that I realized a key factor which has kept me from gaining back all the weight.

I had tried diets before. I had joined reputable groups. I had practiced things that I’ve learned. But the one ingredient I had been missing was this: persistence.

When you combine persistence with the grace of God, you become a dynamic living force. It’s as simple as that. Stop giving up when the going gets tough, and for once in your life, make it happen. This lesson in persistence is one to be applied to every area of our lives whether it be healthy eating, working out our marriage or trusting the Lord through a trial.

Next time you feel a hint of discouragement dragging you down, remember Bartimaeus the blind man who sat by the side of the road. The Bible tells us that many rebuked him, telling him to be quiet, but instead of heading their voice, he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

The result of his persistence was the restoration of his sight. (Mark 10:46-52)

And look at Zacchaeus—a wee little man with great persistence. The Bible tells us that he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus. His determination resulted in a personal visit from Him that day. Can you imagine? We get excited about winning a celebrity lunch date, but this little guy had the Messiah over to his house for tea! Well maybe coffee–who knows for sure.

Then in Mark chapter five we read about a woman with a 12-year issue of blood who pressed through the crowd just to touch the hem of His garment, and immediately she was healed.

Anyone of these people could have given up when the going got tough, but they chose to persist, and in doing so reaped the benefits that perseverance has to offer.

We can only imagine the opportunities that we’ve lost over the course of our lifetime because we gave up just before sunrise.

Ever have one of those weeks where the plateau gets you so low that you give up all together? Have you ever wondered what might have happened if you would have waited one more week? My guess is that the scale would have moved.

And what about those nights when you get so down on yourself because you made a mistake. Have you ever thrown the plan out the window because you didn’t meet your own high level of expectation? We’re not created to be perfect—we’re created to press on:
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 3:12
Stick with it! If it’s been dark for a while, have hope—it could possibly be the last hour of the night. Don’t fall asleep now, and miss the breathtaking sunrise.

Visit me at my blog, Time-Warp Wife, where I empower wives to joyfully serve:


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Time for a giveaway!!

This week we're giving away a $25.00 gift certificate from our sponsor, "The Rusted Chain," to one of you!

The rusted chain offers custom hand stamped jewelry, full of meaning and inspiration! A bit rustic, a bit elegant, and a lot gorgeous!

If you would like to enter for your chance to win, please put your name in our draw by leaving a comment below. Along with your comment, tell us one thing that you would like to "reshape" in your life!

We'll choose one winner and announce it here next Monday!

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Twitter: Hashtag #reshapingitall

Wanna Get Connected? Leave a comment, add your linky below daily, or chat in the Cbox. And have fun!!

33 comments:

  1. Thank you for this encouragement! "We're not created to be perfect--we're created to press on!" So true in EVERY area of our lives as Christians--we are called to look different than the world who quits too easily! Pressing on beside you!!! ~Kim A.

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  2. I really want to give it all to God! I pray, I study, I honor Him, But I still have such a hard time turning to Him first. And I'm an eater, when I'm happy, sad, lonely, bored... I'm eating. I want to learn to turn to God during these times and relish in His love!

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  3. This was a good reminder. I have been tossing the towel gently. I need to hang on! I really want to reshape my attitude

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  4. Awesome Darlene. This was just the encouragement I needed at this time.

    I want to re-shape my entire attitude about food and healty living. I have done it before only to go back to my old ways. I want this time to be forever.

    Shelley Guiseppi

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  5. I would love to win! I love the way you wrote if you had just waited one more week. I give up too easy. I am going to work on and pray for the power to resist giving up!
    Thank you for your post today, very inspiring

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  6. I want to reshape my way of thinking. That by eating healthy I am not depriving myself.

    Loving reading Reshaping it All!

    Jenifer
    www.jenifermetzger.org

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  7. What a great encouragement! I'm so excited to be #Reshapingitall with such an amazing and inspiring group of women.

    Tara Johnson

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  8. Thank you for the motivation from God's word this morning! I'm trying to reshape my sugar craving and indulgences these 65 days.

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  9. I struggle with being in the word everyday. I'll be consistent for a few months and then I start slacking off.

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  10. I love Rusted Chain's jewelry! I would love to reshape my daily exercise habits - it's the first thing to get pushed aside when life gets busy. Not good.

    Thank you, Candance, for bravery in speaking out your Christian faith - you and your brother are inspiring!

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  11. Right now the thing I want reshaped in my life the most is my relationship with God. I need to try harder, and I am. I don't know why I have trouble going to him first for my needs but it is getting better. :)
    -Stephanie

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  12. Great encouragement for today!
    I also am looking to Reshape my attitude; to get past the 'there will always be tomorrow' vice that I've clung to for so long! For me, tomorrow starts TODAY! <---I may have to say this to myself everyday for many to come, but I'm willing!

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  13. I'm looking to reshape what I am always striving to reshape - my body, of course!!

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  14. Great giveaway!

    I'd like to reshape my attitude towards exercise and eating right.

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  15. I really want to reshape it "all"... my body, my routine, my bad habits, even my house! I'm reading the book faster than I can keep up with the suggestions (like decluttering the house), but I will continue working on reshaping it all!

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  16. I wish I could do this with you all; my library doesn't have this book yet :S

    anyway I'd love to win a rusted chain gift certif. I love their jewelry!

    And Darlene, dear, size 7 is not average. Size 10 is average. You're teeny!!

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  17. Thanks for you words always, Darlene.

    brittany @ www.myabcsoup.blogspot.com

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  18. I need to understand why we eat...to nourish our bodies!

    For the last few years I struggled with severe anemia, adrenal dysfunction and a dairy allergy (that I just recently found out about) that would leave me dizzy and nauseated. Now that I'm regaining my energy and strength, I'm trying to find the time and motivation to exercise again.
    Stephanie P.

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  19. I would like it reshape my money. Sounds odd, but I would like to make better use of and not waste it. I feel like we as a family are working hard on that right now. :)

    Machele dlmlc@yahoo.com

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  20. I love my life but to reshape one thing - it would probably be my me time.. there is no such thing lately... :)

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  21. I'd love to reshape my laundry, and continue reshaping my "diet." By that I mean the type of foods I choose to eat. I've gotten so much better at it. I'd also love to cut off caffeine. I haven't done that yet. Maybe writing it down here will move me to change that. :)

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  22. S Club Moma, so much motivation here to get you involved until the book comes available at the library. So I hope you continue to join us. :)

    And thanks for calling me teeny. Believe it or not I was 8 pounds once!! LOL!

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  23. I needed to hear/read this post today. Thanks!

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  24. Great Giveaway! I'd like to Reshape my house and body :)

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  25. Truly needed this today. I need to reshape my attitude of always thinking I'm too busy to take care of myself.

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  26. There are sooo many wonderful verses in the Bible about not quitting...recently Micah 7:7 (The Msg) came before my eyes right when I needed it! Makes you realize that God knew how much encouragement we were going to need...and that He lovingly wanted to give it ahead of time for just the right time! What an awesome God we serve!!!

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  27. Throw my name in! Mama can always use a new piece of jewelry!!

    The Lazy Mom
    www.imalazymom.com

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  28. I am trying to reshape my time and make time for exercise with 3 kids.
    shmambee@yahoo.com

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  29. "Persistance" is now typed up and printed on my mirrors in my bedroom and bathroom. What a powerful word. Thank you for your entry! One thing I'd like to change is my emotional tie to eating. I am learning to spend more time with Jesus when i'm emotional instead of the fridge. It's working too!

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  30. Zaccheus keeps coming up this week for me. I never thought of him being persistent, but it is true. I need to be more persistent in my decision to change my eating habits.

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  31. I am so inspired by this book, and have turned to it daily for my motivation. I love the fellowship RIA provides!

    One thing that I really want to 'reshape' is my connection and love with God. I know that there is always room for improvement with our Lord and I look forward to growing daily with Him.

    Lately, I've seen some major, amazing changes in my faith lately and I know RIA has helped in that!

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  32. Thank you for this post! I am trying and have been behind. Just started reading from day 1 yesterday, trying to catch up. Personally am at the end of ch 8 in the book but going to try to catch up with the blog before it is over. I need to be persistent! That's for sure!

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  33. Thanks for the great giveaway chance! As far as reshaping - I think just the diligence to keep going at exercising so that maybe I can at least trim down my tummy after 4 c-sections. It just doesn't seem that I can keep that going. I do good for a few days and then there seems to always be some excuse to let it go.

    Nancy at mom2jebj@gmail.com

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