Heart of Thanks: Day 4

~*Day 4*~

DONE! 

I delayed my workout.  

Like, by 30 minutes. I felt myself slipping into old habits... So I got up, and jumped into my workout. Possibly with tears in my eyes, but I got it done!!!!  

Biggest challenge today? LUNGE KICKS! 

I'm committed. 

Not just interested. 

I will see this through. 

Had Pumpkin Spice Shakeology *yum!* and a mile run in today!!! 

I can't wait to see the results of this round. 

Want to join me???? See post HEART OF THANKS for more details! (http://pamdiggity.blogspot.com/2015/10/heart-of-thanks-challenge.html)

I'm going to be transparent with you today. 

I just finished my workout, but I've got something real heavy on my mind. 

I'm sure you've seen my posts about "battling past depression", but today, I want to get a little real with you. 

I learned yesterday a young man took his life... He was twelve. This breaks my heart. 

My life story is full of laughter and animation (my parents can attest to that!) but I want to share with you briefly a few not-so-happy recollections I have of my past. 

I faced some mental hardships at 17. Was it anything in particular that triggered this turmoil? No, not really. I was just severely unhappy with myself. There were days I would hardly eat, and days I would eat all day long. I didn't have any real friends to connect to and I felt isolated and alone. This time period didn't last too terribly long, but the heart pains and dark depressive thoughts that attacked me made it seem like forever. 

It was during this time that I received some of the absolute best advice I could have heard. "Pam, be yourself. Be exactly who YOU are. You don't need anyone but Jesus. Maintain your relationship with your savior, let Him lead your decisions, friendships, and heart." 

Was I alone? Sure, physically I didn't have friends surrounding me, but my heart was full. I spent more time reading the Word of God, praying, fasting... My days was spent with school, work and shut up in my bedroom with my Bible. 

I lost an Aunt to suicide that December. It really shook me, because similar thoughts had haunted me just three months before-- but I had tapped into strength to ground me. Something no one could take away. My relationship with Jesus mattered far more than what I perceived others were thinking of me. 

It was just 2 months later, I met Joseph. I wasn't looking for him, nor did I want a relationship. But I had been praying and fasting God lead my life-- and as "they" say, I guess "the rest is history". 

God brought me through such a trying time to a season of joy and laughter -- and I only found it by drawing near to Him. 

Regardless of who agrees with me or not, I know that JESUS is the answer for "the world" today. But how do you change "the world"??? 

ONE PERSON AT A TIME. 

How do you change "one person"? 

BY STARTING WITH YOU. 

Be the example. Dive into The Word of God. Allow God to direct YOU -- and in turn, you can lead with passion & purpose. Love God & Love People. 

Be the One. 

Make an impact. 

Reach to those around you. You NEVER know what people, kids, children are going through. 

Be the Light. 

Illuminate the dark.

My Heart Focus Today: 

I am thankful for the Love of God. I cannot say it enough. There's nothing like it. He reaches to us where we are, regardless of where we are in our lives. He brings hope and love. He has fashioned us for a purpose! Before we were formed in the womb He fashioned us for a purpose in this life. We are HIS children! I cannot thank Him enough for keeping His hand over my life!!