People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
I made it to step class at the gym on Monday and about half way through I thought I might die. Seems drop squats and side lunges aren’t as easy as they look when your carrying a whole lot of extra kilos. So I feel heavy and awkward and slow but I guess thats why I’m there. And I could be so mad at myself about it all. My gym clothes are old and baggy because they are what fit at the moment and I’m going for maximum coverage. My gym shoes are worn because we’ve done many a sweaty and teary workout together but they’ve been gathering dust of late. So I get there self conscious and a bit embarrassed at my lack of lycra and all those mirrors. I get there even though I want to be at home and hidden and doing something I like to do. But I know that in the end what’s gonna make the difference isn’t the staying at home, it isn’t the getting mad at myself and it isn’t whether I look the part or even feel the part.
What will make the difference is the showing up and doing the workout. That’s it. And then showing up again even with my old gym clothes and with my hair all over and the hole showing in my shoe.
We show up and we give our selves a fighting chance.
You may feel like your the one showing up at times not looking or feeling the part, the one slow and stiff and three steps behind everyone else, limping along not even sure your gonna make it to the end. The one ready to cry into your towel at any moment and so mad with yourself that you haven’t got it all together yet, mad that you’ve made mistakes and ate too much cake and chose fear too often instead of brave.
And you might be fooled into thinking that these are the things that count, that these are the things that matter to God,
but they aren’t
because your doing the thing that matters.
Your showing up.
And what I see (and read) is all of you amazing ladies (and some gents) showing up. In your church, in your families, in your workplaces, in His presence, holding on, trusting, hoping, believing, nerves raw sometimes yet hearts open, doing the next thing you need to do even when it’s hard and heart breaking. I see you serving and being Jesus to people, loving your children, choosing brave more often than fear, finding joy, doing so much more than what you see.
Yet we fret because we haven’t arrived.
but we needn’t
because Christ has arrived,
“the God in the manger who makes Himself bread for us near starved. – – – -the Savior in swaddling’s who makes Himself the robe of righteousness for us worn out” Ann Voskamp
Christ came
For the ones who dare to show up weak and heavy laden.
For the ones who dare to show up bowed down.
For the ones who dare to say yes to Him just as they are.
When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Mark 5:27 & 28
We show up to give ourselves a chance. We show up in anticipation of what God can do, we put one foot in front of the other, we hope in His goodness, we wait in His presence and we look for the water to turn into wine.
When we show up – – – Hope gets the last word.
Love to you all today
Tracey xx
And because it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas you might like to read these recent Women Connect posts Christ Our Peace and A Prayer to Prepare Us
Linking up today with
Three Word Wednesday, Coffee For Your Heart, Tell His Story, Fridays Blog Booster Party, Celebrate Your Story
Hey Tracey…girl… your encouragement is balm to my heavy soul today. Thank you for the message to keep showing up even when it feels excruciating. Hope indeed came to earth in form of a baby but I confess I sometimes want to run from that too– just like it’s easier to hide from dealing with my own issues… or my husband… or my job… or my exercise plan! *(yes all those things regularly make me think I’m gonna die too…!) Happy to show up with you here in this crazy blogging land. ♥
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Happy to be showing up with you too Heather – ahhh the beauty of blogging. Thanks so much – always so enjoy and appreciate your thoughts and your company.
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When we show up – – – Hope gets the last word. Makes me want to do the happy hallelujah dance!
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Fantastic – I might just join you. Thanks so much for visiting!!
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I often find myself not wanting to show up- at exercise, gym, social events, even church. i am almost always happy I did and enjoy it once I get there. For me, just showing up is half the battle!
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Me too Michele!! If I can get myself there the rest takes care of itself. Thanks so much for coming by :))
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How do you have time to excercise? I am always blogging.
Thanks for bringing this to the Bloggers Pit Stop Linky
Janice, Pit Stop Crew
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Ahh well Janice that might be why you have a whole lot more blog followers than I do. :)) I’d quite happily do the same but staying on the fit side so I can keep up with my children keeps me turning up there. Thanks so much for coming by!!
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Thanks for sharing an inspiration article. Maybe you don’t know but it helps a lot.
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Thank you so much !!
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Love this piece! I’m grateful that God wakes me up each day so that I am able to show up. May blessings abound! Happy New Year.
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Me too Michelle. Thank you so much for coming by and thank you for the follow. God Bless and Happy New Year
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Love your message about showing up. Sometimes that’s all it takes. In our pursuit of always wanting more, I wonder if we will ever arrive. Thanks for visiting and I’m looking forward to reading more of what you have to say!
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Hi Leigh – you know I’m with you I don’t think we do ever arrive so it’s all about how we do the journey. Thanks so much for coming by and for your kind commen.
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