First Baptist Church of Herndon

Gift One

Linda Soller | Dec 04, 2023

Last week I introduced the idea of giving myself three gifts each day. One for my physical well-being, one for my mental well-being, and the third for my soul. This week we are going to look at nurturing your physical being. In my world, it’s not joining a health club or starting a new diet. Both of those can be helpful depending on your situation. I’m looking at it on a very basic level. For example, I walk for exercise now and then. With this plan I try to walk more. I just think, do I feel like a walk would be helpful today. If I decide the answer is yes, then I go on a walk and if the answer is no, I think about what I could do instead. It’s rarely housework.

We all wish there were easy answers. The author of a book can’t know how you are feeling on any given day. Only you know what you need to do. Maybe what your body really needs is a nap, or to call it an early night, or maybe a good stretch. If physical activity is not an option, you may need be creative. Trust me, simple things can make a big difference if done routinely.

The other part of this goal deals with food. Again, only you know how you respond to fad diets, holiday temptations, and after dinner snacks.  I ask myself if I’m really hungry or bored. I don’t drink enough water, so each day I try to do better. There will be good days and not so good days, such is life.

In summary – God wants you to be happy and feel good, but life happens. Old and sometimes current habits impact how we feel and how well our body works. Genetics play a big role, and they are out of our control. So, I think our job is to listen to what our body is telling us. To be honest with ourselves and take each day at a time. Don’t focus on what you are not doing, focus on what you can do to take care of yourself. In other words, each day give yourself the gift of caring about your physical well-being.

Be the love in the world  : )   Linda