Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Accountability

Life is busy right now. I'm sure it is for everyone. It's easy to get caught up in just going through the motions and neglect important areas of life. But in the midst of all the busyness, I have been hearing God whisper to me. Much of the whisperings have been coming through others. 

Some new things I have going is starting challenge groups online and I'm on my 2nd round of bootcamps. I'm finding that accountabiity is quite valuable. I always knew that but for some reason lately, it is like a fresh idea. I am cherishing talks with friends while our kids play together, phone conversations with faraway friends, praying with my husband, step challenges with my Fitbit, reading books with friends, memorizing scripture with family, and time with my heavenly Father. I definitely believe that the benefits of accountability spread well into fitness and food. If anything, I think accountability with exercise and eating is the most welcomed accountability. 

- some women daring to be vulnerable and encouraging each other to push their limits. 

Something I have been hearing God whisper to me is the word "grace." He has been whispering it to me a long time and I continue to hear it louder as I go on this journey. It takes on new meaning each time I go through a venture, or challenge. I'm finding that I really stink at this grace thing. God continues to open up new areas in me that I need it more because I so quickly withhold it from others. And I just hear God whisper that He has grace for me when I am not perfect. He shows me where I need to let Him take over, and how I can extend His grace to others. 

The word "accountability" has taken on new meaning for me in recent years. Some may see it and cringe. Guilt, shame, and trying to measure up to something might be your experience with accountability. Maybe you have had struggles in your life and asked someone to keep you accountable but each time they asked you, you weren't "measuring up", and accountability became an avoidance. 

Grace and accountability go hand-in-hand. For me, it means people coming alongside you to encourage, help, pray and extend grace. It's not limited to just a quick question through texting, it's doing life with you. It's walking with you on your journey and working out your fears, celebrating baby steps, and speaking truth in love together. It's also maturing in your journey and reaching new levels. People who keep you accountable with grace help you grow up. The beauty and purpose of accountability is conquering things! It's finding purpose, developing confidence, and being set free to live the way you were designed. As we embrace it, there's a trickle effect because once you start changing, you'll influence another person and help them in areas that they need it. 

-This man. He teaches me grace everyday. He is patient and caring. God shows me how valuable my husband is and what an impact on others he has. He is my best advocate. 

The joy of being so passionate about fitness and nutrition for me is being able to help others--people I know and even people I don't know! This is why I have started challenge groups online and recently doing a couple bootcamps. My blogging has been dismal lately, but the joy I am experiencing through new relationships of these other avenues and taking on more one-on-one training is fulfilling. 


Where do you need accountability? Are you reaching out to people who will ask tough questions and affirm you at the same time? Where do you need a dose of God's grace? 


-sweet friendships with friends who encourage and live life alongside you. 

- cousins playing while one of my sisters and I chat about parenting with grace (and how much we need improvement) and we celebrate another year gone by.

The writer of Hebrews says it all...."witnesses" is refering to others, a body of people; accountability...
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)

Keep watch for new challenge groups I will be doing in the next few months and feel free to keep messaging me with questions and blog post ideas...I'm still here :)