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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"You Can Do It"
February 16, 2011
I finally wore the shirt today. The truth is that I was embarrassed to be
seen in it. I've had it since Christmas. I just couldn't put it on. What would
people think if they saw me wearing it? No, it didn't feature an obscene
saying. It was Marc Nee's "Training with the Heart" T-shirt.
I hired Marc as my personal trainer last year. I did great. I lost 20
pounds. I was working out regularly. I was in a routine and everything was
coming together nicely. Then last Fall I started taking a few days off here
and there. I began snacking again. Before I knew it I had gained ten pounds
back. My clothes started to feel tight again. Next thing I knew I was
skipping more days and making lots of excuses.
I was too busy. I had too much stress in my life. I was working on other
things. Every Monday I promised myself I would go back to the gym and
get back on the fitness wagon. Monday would come and I would find a
new reason why I couldn't go.
I saw Marc a few weeks ago and I told him how I felt about the shirt. I
offered to give it back. I didn't want to do anything that would be
considered negative advertising for him. He looked at me and said. "Go
ahead. Wear it. Everyone has set backs. What's important is that you keep
trying."
I walked out of the gym and it struck me that I've said the same thing to
countless people that I have counseled at church. We all have the best
intentions. Yet, we stumble and fall on our faces at times. We make bad
choices. We stop doing the things that we know will bless us.
I can't tell you how many times people have dropped out of sight at
church when what they needed most was to be part of a community that
loves and supports them. Why do we do that? Only heaven knows. The
truth is that God wants you and me to be blessed.
God is like Marc, my trainer, in that he roots for us to achieve all the
blessings that life can offer. God calls us to live lives that are productive,
happy and fulfilling. He gives us the tools to do that. The scriptures,
personal prayer and the community of faith are aides that will help us reach
our goals.
The good news is that God will never give up on us even if we stumble
and fall away for a time. He will seek us out and encourage us on. So don't
give up. Keep trying. Join the rest of us at church or synagogue. Let's do
this together and share the goodness of God.
God bless. See you in church. Cal
February 16, 2011
I finally wore the shirt today. The truth is that I was embarrassed to be
seen in it. I've had it since Christmas. I just couldn't put it on. What would
people think if they saw me wearing it? No, it didn't feature an obscene
saying. It was Marc Nee's "Training with the Heart" T-shirt.
I hired Marc as my personal trainer last year. I did great. I lost 20
pounds. I was working out regularly. I was in a routine and everything was
coming together nicely. Then last Fall I started taking a few days off here
and there. I began snacking again. Before I knew it I had gained ten pounds
back. My clothes started to feel tight again. Next thing I knew I was
skipping more days and making lots of excuses.
I was too busy. I had too much stress in my life. I was working on other
things. Every Monday I promised myself I would go back to the gym and
get back on the fitness wagon. Monday would come and I would find a
new reason why I couldn't go.
I saw Marc a few weeks ago and I told him how I felt about the shirt. I
offered to give it back. I didn't want to do anything that would be
considered negative advertising for him. He looked at me and said. "Go
ahead. Wear it. Everyone has set backs. What's important is that you keep
trying."
I walked out of the gym and it struck me that I've said the same thing to
countless people that I have counseled at church. We all have the best
intentions. Yet, we stumble and fall on our faces at times. We make bad
choices. We stop doing the things that we know will bless us.
I can't tell you how many times people have dropped out of sight at
church when what they needed most was to be part of a community that
loves and supports them. Why do we do that? Only heaven knows. The
truth is that God wants you and me to be blessed.
God is like Marc, my trainer, in that he roots for us to achieve all the
blessings that life can offer. God calls us to live lives that are productive,
happy and fulfilling. He gives us the tools to do that. The scriptures,
personal prayer and the community of faith are aides that will help us reach
our goals.
The good news is that God will never give up on us even if we stumble
and fall away for a time. He will seek us out and encourage us on. So don't
give up. Keep trying. Join the rest of us at church or synagogue. Let's do
this together and share the goodness of God.
God bless. See you in church. Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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