Enjoying the Blessing of Someone Else's Labour.

    Part of the opening remarks on a podcast I listened to at work today talked about enjoying the blessing of someone else's labour. It wasn't the topic for that episode, just her small talk about the beginning. But, it was the message that God had for me that morning. I don't remember the rest of the episode. She was referring to two new trees that she recently planted in her front yard. They were both big trees, and she was saying how she bought them that way. She didn't have to put any work into growing them herself. She was able to purchase them as fully-grown trees and started enjoying them right away.

    This opening thought got me thinking about the times when I got to enjoy someone else's labour. The first thought that came to mind was dinner at my in-law's a few months after hubby and I married. I believe it was for one of hubby's step-siblings' birthdays. The meal was chicken alfredo. A dish that I do not traditionally enjoy. But, because it was made by someone else and in someone else's clean home, it was delicious. Years later, I was talking with my stepmother-in-law about that meal. She had no memory of it and was surprised by the menu choice. Looking back, I think The Holy Spirit was blessing and teaching me about enjoying a meal in someone else's home.

    Hearing these opening remarks on the podcast also got me thinking about blessing others with my labour and that I don't always have a good attitude in the process. You see, I struggle with selfishness and don't necessarily want to bless others if it's inconvenient. It mainly occurs when trying to bless my hubby, not all the time, but sometimes. It's something that God and I are working on. I also want to bless myself with the fruits of my labour. Such as sitting back and enjoying the look of my clean home or finishing a sewing project. I usually think about our apartment being cleaned as more satisfying, but I could also look at it as a blessing.

    The idea of blessing someone with the fruits of my labour sounds great in theory, but it can be hard to act on. Mainly when I am tired, which I expect would be most people's answer.

    Today, (several days later) Blessing, and I went for a walk down a trail near our friend's house in Toronto. It's a beautiful trail that Blessing enjoyed running around off-leash. The trail was paved, and the grass on both sides had recently been mowed allowing Blessing to run around the trail with less concern for ticks versus long unkept grass. I was blessed to enjoy the labour and maintenance of this trail and blessed Blessing with off-leash time. God also stopped the rain and brought the sun out allowing me to get some beautiful photos. He did the labour, and I enjoyed eating the fruit.

Have you enjoyed the fruits of someone else's labour or blessed someone with your labour, friend?

I pray this post blesses, encourages and challenges you today, friend.

God Bless

~Hannah

Finding the beauty in the ordinary.

Counting My Calories

    On and off over the years, I have counted my calorie intake for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it's to lose a few pounds, other times it has been out of curiosity to see how much I actually consume, and every so often, it's secretly to freak out my hubby.

    I started counting them again recently. I never make it very far. It's kind of annoying logging everything you eat. But as I was contemplating my decision to count again, I started questioning myself about why I was doing it. I'm not sure if my next thought was from myself or The Holy Spirit. But my next thought was, "You log your exercise and water intake, why not log your food too." Instantly I had peace over the situation and wanted to share. It makes sense. If I'm already tracking two out of these three health factors, I might as well track my food intake. Yes, there is more to food logging than simply the number of calories you are consuming, but one step at a time.

    I'm reminded, that counting calories does not have to be a negative thing that is only for those trying to lose weight. Yes, stereotypically, it's for those wanting to lose weight, but it's time to break that stereotype. It can also be used to help you ensure that you are getting enough of all the right nutrients and help keep you in check with the bad stuff too.

    Simply put, I want to break the stigma that counting calories is only for those who need to lose weight. It's for everyone and anyone. It's no different than maintaining your spending or avoiding certain foods due to allergies or other health issues. It can also help to ensure that you are eating enough as well. Some people struggle with under eating, which of course is a whole other issue in and of itself, but the point is that if you are tracking your intake it can help you to keep track.

    Anyway, I'm no health expert on any level or a doctor. But I do feel that it's important to break the stigma around this topic. Just like mental health struggles. Counting calories is not just for bigger people, it's for all people.

    I know that by myself I probably can't change the world and how it views calorie counting. But I know that by encouraging just one person to think differently or maybe even change your mind, you will share it with someone else, and we will cause a domino effect, and eventually we will change the world.

I pray that this post blesses and encourages you today, friend.

God Bless

~Hannah

My Grace Is Sufficient For You.

    On Wednesday morning, as I entered the sanding booth to start my work day, I prayed. I asked God for strength and energy for the day. The Holy Spirit responded with, "My grace is sufficient for you." Referring to 2 Corinthians 12:9. "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." To me, at that moment, it meant that it was going to be a tiring day. But I would be okay.

    I then decided that I could take it easy that evening. You see, I woke up that morning a little exhausted. Monday night I worked in the evening and therefore didn't get to bed on time. Then on Tuesday, I had Small Group through my church which also led to a late night. Neither of which I regret attending, but by Wednesday morning, I was exhausted and dragging my feet. I quickly decided that morning that it was likely going to be a fast food for supper kind of night because I knew I wouldn't have the energy or strength to make supper. I was giving myself grace. Or at least trying to.

    Giving myself grace is not my strong suit. And on the days when I get home and don't have the energy to make supper or walk Blessing, I beat myself up and let the enemy tell me that I'm not enough and a failure. Thankfully God has other things to say. Such as, I am chosen, forgiven, redeemed, loved and His child. I'm allowed to be tired at the end of a long day. Being tired does not make me any less of a person. You could look at it as a good thing. Because it reminds me that I am human and that I need to rely on God for strength and not myself. Doesn't mean I like being tired. I don't like being tired. Makes me feel weak. Plus I'm not pleasant to be around when I am tired.

    But, in life, we have to take the good with the bad. Ying and Yang. If we don't have the bad stuff, like exhaustion, and any unpleasant emotion, we won't be able to truly appreciate the good things in life. Like enough energy to enjoy our hobbies ;) or the joy one can find in the community.

    So, I got through Wednesday, tired, but I made it. I didn't have the energy to walk Blessing and yes, beat myself up for that. I try to give myself one grace day a week where I don't have to worry about walking her. I'm sure someone out there is judging me, heck, I'm judging me. But otherwise, she gets lots of walks and runs every week. In fact, on Thursday, I meant to walk 5km and accidentally walked 6.5 km. I miscalculated the route we took. I stuck to my plan of take out for supper, and beat myself up the whole time for it, even though I didn't have the energy for it anyways. This sounds like one big pity party. Which is not my intention. I simply want to share that God gives us grace, so we should give ourselves grace too.

    I pray this post finds you well and resting up for the next work week ahead. I'm going to eat a piece of cake, sew a quick little project and call it a day.

God Bless my friend.

~Hannah