It's Not Broken -- Just Wrong Programming

Yesterday afternoon, I went to the fitness center in my community to run on the treadmill. As I ran, I watched the Dallas Cowboys game and they got off to a great start but, apparently they were "out of order" because they lost to Atlanta 7 to 27. On the same note, occasionally, you’ll see a sign on one of the treadmills in my fitness center that says “temporarily out of order”. I heard about one gal who was running on a treadmill and it started picking up speed -- a lot of speed -- and she nearly fell before she could get it to stop. But, it wasn’t about the equipment malfunctioning – it was because she "entered" a program she wasn’t capable of handling. It was “user error” and wrong programming. Now I know why they have some treadmills with a sign on them that says “This treadmill is for those members who prefer a slower pace.” So far, I’ve stayed clear of those machines!

Here’s my point for today’s post. We could be going about our daily routines -- coasting along -- business as usual. When, all of a sudden, our world feels like it's out of control and can't seem to stop the all-too-fast pace we are keeping. We realize we're about to lose it.....and we know we MUST push the STOP button, or we'll crash and burn. When we stop, we realize something is wrong -- is it my circumstances or is it ME that is out of order or I need reprogramming?

God created us as powerful, fully equipped "machines" that have everything we need to perform at full capacity, but occasionally "stuff" happens that causes our programming to become dysfunctional. For example, a couple of weeks ago, I was hit with an "issue" and I needed to go see my doctor as sson as possible. After tests were run, while giving the diagnosis, my doctor asked “How much water are you drinking?” I was caught by my doctor AND my body. I was drinking mostly tea and coffee and NOT drinking enough water, so my body AND my “programming” malfunctioned.

If we desire to be victorious, strong, confident, and faith-filled, always ready to run our race with vigor and vitality, we must keep up with maintenance checks -- to be sure we're programmed for efficiency. If that programming starts malfunctioning -- i.e., our physical bodies start breaking down, or we allow negative thoughts to bombard our minds – thoughts of fear, lack of self esteem, quitting thoughts, inferiority – it’s time to update our programming and get a tune-up -- from the neck up. Our thinking probably needs to be reprogrammed.
.
Our Master Technician's instruction manual (The Bible) has all the operating standards we need to run at best performance. And, it gives us all the basics we need to "Troubleshoot", "Reboot" and "Reprogram". Once we apply this technique -- we'll be guaranteed to continue to run with efficiency and success. Here's one of the BEST peak performance tips:

Joshua 1:8 "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."

We Know More as We Grow More and Learn More

've used every excuse in the world to deter me from my early morning walks, but this day, I was on purpose. First, I thoroughly sprayed myself with bug spray (we were alerted that mosquitoes are on a rampage here -- and the West Nile Virus has been reported. That was reason enough to deter me from my walk, but, NO MORE EXCUSES!!) Actually, it was the first time I did a 3-mile walk/run outdoors in my community. I've run on the treadmills in the Fitness Center but not outside. It's amazing how close to God we can feel when it's early in the morning, very little traffic on a Sunday, and what beauty and details can be noticed, as well as being able to talk to God, unhindered. Why did I wait so long? I made the turn around our entry and there was this beautiful waterfall. I've passed by it dozens of times and really didn't embrace it. I embraced everything this morning. I am healthy -- no aches and pains, I live in a free country, I have family that loves me, and I can worship God as I please. So much to be thankful for -- too many blessings to name.

I was also on purpose to take Denise, Payton and Alexia out for lunch. Larry and Staci are out of town so it was special "Nana" time! Oh, how I love the conversations at the table. Payton recently put an ad in their local community app "Work Needed" -- "Hey! My name is Payton Wallace and am 17 years old. I am looking for any jobs this summer that I can help with! I have experience with everything from power washing, dog walking, tutoring, piano lessons, house sitting, and more. I have a couple of bills that I need to pay coming up and don't have enough to pay them! (Car payment, insurance, etc.) So if anyone has any work that needs to be done let me know! I am open to almost anything!" And, he has been non-stop busy with over 58 folks who needed help. I'm so proud of his entrepreneurial/willing-to-work attitude and spirit.

And then there's my Alexia -- who was detailing her recent baby sitting job with two children who were bound and determined to be fed junk food versus making healthy choices. My Lexi has now matured to a ripe old "almost 16 years old", and along with that maturity has come the realization that healthy and nutritious food is most important, so she did her best to persuade the children to eat healthy food choices, but without very much success. Denise and I were both smiling at the changes in our girl. Not so long ago -- those two little kids represented my Lexi and Payton -- who loved coming to Nana's house and their Uncle and Aunt's house because food choices were "anything goes". Papa and I loved showering them with a wide variety of treats (i.e. Krispy Kreme donuts). That's a perk of grandparenting. That's why I got them a molten chocolate cake for dessert yesterday. Shhh! Don't tell their mom and dad! LOL!

The point of my post today is "don't sweat the seasons". In due season, we grow smarter, wiser and healthier when we listen to God's voice of wisdom, because "He that began a good work in us, is faithful to complete it." Philippians 1:6. It's amazing how much we come to know as we grow in maturity, wisdom and in God's plans and purposes for our lives.