1.) I am in awe of the transformation that has taken place, and continues to take place, in my husband. He got back from the Men's Encounter tonight, and he just has Jesus radiating out of him. In his eyes, as he stared at Brielle and me and told us how much he loves us... in his voice, as he talked to me with fiery passion about what God revealed to him this weekend... in his love for his fellow brothers in Christ that he has got to witness life changes in over the course of the past three days... I cannot help but thank God for captivating Brett's heart. Not many of you probably know what Brett was like before he re-dedicated his life, and I won't share because I haven't asked his permission. But all that is important is to know that one cannot explain the change in him and leave God out of the equation. Brett tried to change over and over again in his own will power, and it never worked. Then, about a year and a half ago, he surrendered. He went to the Men's Encounter for the first time a few months ago, and God used that time to heal him of things he had not let go of. At any given moment I can stop and think about all that God has done in and through Brett, and my eyes well up with tears. I love you Brett Richardson, and I am proud to be your wife.
2.) I want to transform my body. I have hesitated to do this because last time I did, I did it for the wrong reasons and I let the enemy use it to bring me down. Brett was in Iraq, and I decided that working out almost every day was a good way to kill time and get in great shape while he was gone. Sounds harmless enough, right? Wrong. I set a weight loss goal for myself. I met that goal, and still wasn't happy. So I set another one. I met that goal, and still didn't feel like it was enough. It was a vicious cycle. I could not enjoy a meal because I was worried about how many calories I was consuming. Not once did I make it my goal to stay fit so that I could glorify God. Looking back now at those pictures, I just want to smack that Desiree and be like, "Are you crazy?! YOU ARE PERFECT." I should have put more energy into my time with God and less into obsessing over my body.
I am doing things differently this time. I have two verses that come to mind when I think about wanting to do this from a different mindset:
If I can eat better and make time to work out a few times a week, I will be better ready to do all God has planned for me. My mind will be more alert and I will have more energy. I won't be so sluggish, worn out from the other demands on my life. And since the ultimate goal of my life is to bring God glory, I know I can glorify Him by keeping my eyes set on Him... not looking down at a scale. I don't want to make girls envy me and I don't want attention from the opposite sex. I just want to honor Him with everything. So if I lose sight of this goal, I hope I fail."So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corin. 10:31)
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your bodies." (1 Corin. 6:19-20)
3) Transformations are taking place every Sunday and Wednesday at Church of the Shoals. I am so thankful for Church of the Shoals, and all the people that make up my incredible church home. Our Pastors are full of love for people (saved and unsaved alike), God, and the Word of God. We look around and see people who are after truth, righteousness, and closer relationship with God. You walk in and are accepted just as you are. You don't have to look far to find friendship. People don't pretend to be perfect. Next Sunday is our Launch Day, exactly 9 months after our church was founded. We have grown so much already, and are eagerly anticipating all of the people we are about to encounter. Not because we care about numbers- We care about people. We don't want to be a church that stays confined to the four walls of our building... We want to go out to the city and reach the lost and hurting. I am so excited about what God is going to do with Church of the Shoals. If you do not have a church home, where God's love is alive and activated in the church members, I invite you to check out Church of the Shoals.