Fourth day of Lent


I’ve got to get into a better routine of taking care of my physical self. I love to walk, and it always feels great after the journey. Why is it so hard to be disciplined in this area? I am so good at blaming my lack of disciple on this and that. The weather has been a great excuse lately. Then my schedule works well as an excuse. That’s a good excuse because it makes me feel important to be so busy. My entitlement attitude works well as a reason not to exercise. After all I deserve to relax in my chair and watch hour upon hour of the Olympics. I deserve that! (This is a painful blog. It is getting too honest!) And the lamest excuse of all is that if I have any time in the middle of the day to walk, then that might mean I’d have to take a shower and that would mean wasting water and having to change clothes. (What a wimp I can be!)

God, your expectations are just hard to live up to some days. I know that my body is a temple and that your spirit abides there, and therefore, I should take care of it. I do know all of that, but it is difficult. I have an idea. Why don’t you work through some grand chemist and invent a pill I could take every day that would take care of diet and exercise for me? After all, it is all about ME! In some sense your love is all about me. The fact is that it is not JUST about me.

I have a sense that you want me to do more than just send notes to folks during this Lenten season. You actually desire me to take care of my body as well. You want me to give up something for Lent. You want me to give up my laziness (Ouch! That is painful to say.) I’ve got to do a better job of regular exercise and healthy diet. I’ve got to be more consistent. I am tired of whining with excuses as to why it doesn’t get done. Lord, help me today to get out of the chair and love you with the discipline of taking care of me. I am beginning to see that it would be an act of gratitude for you.