Joshua 1:9- "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Isn't it strange the different talents and gifts God gives his people, you and me. I love how God can change something that could potentially be evil to bring glory to him. Ever since I was a child I have been very active. I loved playing sports. I love basketball, volleyball, and swimming. I loved being able to use my height (I'm 5'10) and having an advantage over others. I loved the feeling of pushing my body to the extreme. Like anything though it's so simple to get burnt out. So by my senior year of high school I wasn't playing as many sports and not nearly as dedicated. I had gained some weight; not very much but to my high school self it was a TON. I started by eating less greasy food and being more active, running, lifting weights now and then. Then I wanted to lose even more weight. I did excessive amounts of cardio and watched everything I ate. I stuck to veggies as much as possible. I became addicted to having the perfect waist size. I wanted to look like a Victoria Secret model. I would push myself to be a certain weight. It became an idol. It stole away from the inner beauty God had put inside of me. I remember one day while showering strands of my hair coming out and I rinsed shampoo from my hair. I was eating food but not enough to supply by body with the nutrients it needed.

God knows the heart well though. He knows us even when don't quite know ourselves. I remember the first time I had a conversation with Drew. He made me laugh and I thought he was super cute. Little did I know God had a plan neither of us knew would happen. A couple months after we started dating Andrew told me how he thought I was too thin and he told me I needed to eat more. I had no idea he felt that way. Since he is a personal trainer I thought he didn't think I was thin enough or in good enough shape. I admired him for his honesty. I added more protein to my diet and didn't worry as much about what I was eating (or how much). He also introduced me to lifting weights. At first I did it for him but then I fell it love with it. It connected me in a way to God that I didn't think lifting weights could connect someone. I began my workouts asking for God's help, asking him to give me strength. I know it may sound silly but lifting weights has shown my body and my mind that it can push through anything. I was revealed how powerful God created us to be. It's a beautiful experience when you feel your muscles burn and you realize that God created this muscle you're using.

I love my curves now. I love that I can eat and not worry if my waist is small enough. God used Andrew to teach me that I am beautiful. I don't have to put my heart into being a certain size. God created a women's body to be strong and curvaceous. He gave us hips so we can bare children and muscles to carry them in our arms and chase them with our legs. Don't be ashamed of the body God gave you. Don't be afraid to strengthen your body either. Lifting weights keeps me healthy, strengthens my muscles and my mind, releases stress, and gives me some great curves. I'm thankful God uses others to change our lives in significant ways. If it weren't for God placing Andrew in my life I don't know where my body would be. Jesus already overcame the world, don't be afraid to go beyond what you think you can. P.S. The only way you'll look like a scary muscle head lady is if you do steroids :)