I guess I’ve had a lot to say lately, but I haven’t taken time to write over the past few weeks…that have turned into months.  Or perhaps I didn’t have much to say at all…since I’ve been giving intentional focus on consistently working at staying healthy and attentively caring for my family’s needs.  Nothing too out-of-the-ordinary, but now that I’m reflecting, it has been a steady, busy time.  Among other things – I survived yet another one of my son’s science fair projects (without having to blog my way through the anxiety – that’s progress!), encouraged him as he prepped for (and passed) his standardized End of Grade (EOG) testing, and accrued more of the legendary tooth-pulling acumen for which I’ve become so well-known (it’s how I ended this year’s delightfully restful Mother’s Day – it took under a minute and I was less than sentimental about this bottom front pearly white from my daughter).

Fitness-wise, I’ve been working pretty hard at keeping active (sweating and suffering – LOL) – trying new classes at the gym and making sure to get in some movement at least 4 times a week.  As a matter of fact, my local YMCA recently concluded an 8-week Fitness Challenge – here’s some feedback I gave the staff:

“The Fitness Challenge 1Q2012 came at JUST the right time – I lost 8.6 lbs. in 8 weeks AND got a free t-shirt!  (As a result, I feel better physically, I’ve gotten surprisingly stronger, and I pray all the time to get through my increasingly challenging workouts – LOL!). PLEASE keep these Fitness Challenges coming…I have 20 more lbs. I need to lose!  Thanks for the support and encouragement!  Consistently coming to the YMCA for the past 8 weeks has turned my “I can’ts” and “I’ve nevers” into “I DIDs!”  I tried new classes that I didn’t think I could survive – then returned because I discovered I liked them – wow!  As my 7 year-old daughter says, “Go, ME!”  This has definitely been a blessing in my life.”

In addition to receiving the wonderful benefits of participating in the Fitness Challenge, I also WON a prize, and that was like a cherry on top – a free personal training session, which I redeemed today.  And that’s when I realized something simple, yet profound:

My personal trainer has her own personal trainer.  And her trainer has a trainer!  Go figure – the “best of the best” build in a system of accountability in order to not only maintain their achievements, but to continuously improve themselves.  It feels like a total “It Takes a Village” effort, but I’ve intentionally involved most of the class instructors and trainers in helping me stay accountable at the YMCA as I work towards my personal health and fitness goals.  If I miss over 2 consecutive days of exercise, I know there’s someone (or several someones) I’ll have to answer to.  And that is good for me – because who needs to be isolated and left to their own devices? Exactly – no one does.

As Christians, we often think we’re self-sufficient, but we are not.  We are interdependent parts who need one another for accountability – because no individual has it ALL together (though some may try to convince us otherwise).  That’s why it’s called the BODY of Christ – that denotes an interconnected system.

So whether you’re a thumb, a big toe, an arm, a leg, an ear, an eye, or some other part of the body, know that you are significant.  And needed.  So make sure you’re doing your part – what God has called and instructed you to do…or someone else will suffer deficiency without the benefit of your valuable contribution.

By the way (for those of us afflicted with uncontrollable CHOD – Chronic Helping Others Disease), don’t play the “superhero” role 24/7 and try to win your personal battles alone while appearing to be a rock and a martyr for everyone else.  There are brothers and sisters willing (and able) to help you reach your next level.  Allow them to do so.  Does that require vulnerability, honest confession, and transparency?  YES!  Does that mean they’re perfect?  Not at all.  But will you be strengthened from their wisdom, experience, and support?  Definitely, so it’s worth it to humble yourself and receive the assistance…I’m a witness.

“4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

(Ephesians 4:4-6, 16)

© Copyright 2012 by Kayren J. Cathcart