Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Day 2 / Week 3 - Little Things

Yesterday was our weigh-in after completion of what have been deemed the hardest two weeks of our 12-week program. I did good, even if not quite as well as I might have initially hoped. That said, I am happy with my progress to date. Following my workout yesterday morning and nutrition class last night, I was preparing mentally for the coming challenges I knew Trainer EJ would bring today, while also settling it in my mind that the toughest weeks are now behind me.

This realization has reminded me of our youngest daughter, Sandra, and the struggle she had a couple of years ago in 3rd grade. She is a smart kid, probably a little too street smart given her life experiences before joining our family as one who suffered neglect and abuse before entering foster care and being legally separated from her mom, step dad, and older brother. Her biggest challenge with homework was getting started. The simplest of things, as I worked with her one night, was to pick up her pencil. That's it. The next step was going to be reading a word from her spelling list, copying it down on a blank sheet of paper as she said the letters, then saying the word again. How hard could it be, I thought?

I guess for some, the struggle is real. Yet, I would hedge to bet the greatest barrier we human beings have to overcome is just taking that initial step by faith and believing everything will be okay. I have been putting off getting healthy for decades and my wife the other day was being a bit snarky toward me when I asked her to load my omelette with all kinds of fresh veggies. She made a remark about how many years she has wanted to cook healthier meals, but the rest of us have been disinterested. That is when a revelation came to me and I said, "Well sweetie, consider this an answered prayer!" After that, when I was headed out the door, she wanted to give me a hug, and it was a real one. In the interest of being totally transparent, this was a huge deal for me because smiles, pleasant talk, and intimacy have been quite absent in our relationship for many, many years. So in what might seem like a little thing to others, I rejoice as it is a sign of an answer to one of my long-term prayers.

A couple of months prior to the start of this program, I made three goals:

  1. Get healthy physically
  2. Write a book - "No Excuses!"
  3. Win back my wife's heart
I am very happy to report that I am seeing signs of progress on all three goals. Thank you all for your encouragement, kindness, and support. You have no idea just how much you all mean to me!

1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NLT) says, 
"God will make this happen, for He who calls you is faithful." 

God said it. I believe it. So be it!

4 comments:

  1. Gavin, you are so encouraging to us. I'm glad you see improvements, especially with your wife. Keep it up. And thanks for this verse. I love it!

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  2. What beautiful, amazing goals!
    I rejoice for you for your hug!
    There are a lot of things Frank and I share now, like grocery planning, cooking, shopping, and packing food, and walks together! This is all HUGE to this particular wife!

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  3. What beautiful, amazing goals!
    I rejoice for you for your hug!
    There are a lot of things Frank and I share now, like grocery planning, cooking, shopping, and packing food, and walks together! This is all HUGE to this particular wife!

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  4. Great response to your wife!!! I love how you turned her frown upside down! May God continue to bless you in all three areas!

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