Clay and I along with one of our close friends Maggie decided to venture up to our community pool to check it out. Being new residence and with the summer coming to an end we were hoping to enjoy an afternoon by the pool before we were out of town a lot in the upcoming weeks. Oh and to give ourselves a pat on the back for our countless hours of painting, switching out light fixtures, unloading boxes, painting, cleaning, sweeping, measuring, taping, painting, and oh yeah PAINTING! I didn't even think twice about it but my bathing suit was certainly not one of my 7 so I definitely was hit with a sense of failure, guilt, disappointment when I realized I had broken 7, but it wasn't in a way that was so discerning to the point that I felt the need to give up on the fast or this challenge. It was just eye-opening and made me realize that perhaps we just take the convenience of things in our life (material or not) for granted. It's just THERE, it's AVAILABLE and we use it, we eat, we touch it, we have it, we wear it out and we don't even think twice about it.
I could have worn undergarments to the pool but I'm pretty sure that wouldn't have gone over well with the neighbors or lifeguards....not exactly the first impression Clay or I would be going for so what should I have done? Skipped out on the pool and sat at home? Attempted to wear a sports bra and workout pants rolled up? Sat by the pool in my 7 drenched?
On a better note, I did wear my gingham print sundress as my coverup for the day so it wasn't a total disaster!
Day 7: soaking mess!
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
So Saturday evening rolled around and we were celebrating Clay's 29th birthday with a nice dinner out at Capital Grille. I don't think my denim skinnies or white tee would have made the cut so thankfully our Sacred Tribe of ladies agreed special events and occassions wouldn't count. So right off the bat before the fast started I made note that I would get an exception on the night we celebrated Clay's birthday and the last night of the fast which will be a wedding we're attending in New Orleans. I found myself humbled by the opportunity to wear something outside of my 7. I wasn't bouncing off the walls with joy because it was something different like I expected myself to be. I was praising God for giving me the opportunity to work hard for the things he's presented me and given me in my life. I am so grateful for the riches of the Lord and all the blessings he's bestowed upon Clay and I. Odd to think that while steaming out the small wrinkles in my dress (top.....oh yeah...thats a slip dress converted "tank top" so I could wear it with my maxi skirt...I'm telling you....I can get crafty and make one look go a LONGGGG way!) or picking out the jewelry I was going to accessorize with I felt the presence of God around me, like he was guiding me along while I was picking out my outfit. Sounds eerily strange but it was comforting, it was real and I felt like if he could physically be with me in person he'd probably be my partner in crime when raiding the racks at the town center or local boutiques....he's an ever-pesent God and he is with us ALWAYS.
Happy Birthday Clay!
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