i. hate. exercise.

parenting is like dying a thousand deaths.

every. single. day. 

so is marriage.

every. single. day. 

so is faith.

every. single. day. 

Jesus said following Him 

would require

some serious

self-denial muscles

so we could

pick up a cross.

i. have. never. liked. exercise.

ever.

what's a girl to do 

when she wants to 

love her Jesus

love her husband

love her kids

but 

she hates to exercise?

she gets to choose...that's what.

self-indulgence or self-denial.

impatience or Spirit living.

frustrated talk or gentle lips.

annoyance or embrace.

dukes up or open hands.

push back or readiness.

discontent or gratitude.

my agenda or God's timetable.

the funny thing is 

for as much as i hate exercise, 

i sure do expend a LOT of energy 

fighting God's way of doing things.

when i live 

pushing back 

against what God has, 

I am still using muscles, 

exercising self - will.

and i have to wonder

if it's actually easier work 

to move with God

then against Him?

maybe 

for all the sweat of trying to make life what I want

I have really just made myself more tired.

maybe that's really dumb...

creating more work for myself.

especially for someone who hates exercise.

Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! 

Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, 

but a disciplined life in God is far more so, 

making you fit both today and forever. 

You can count on this. Take it to heart.

1 Timothy 4:8 (The Message)

We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, 

making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. 

As you learn more and more how God works, 

you will learn how to do your work. 

We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—

not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. 

It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, 

thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.

Colossians 1:9-11 (The Message)