Finishing the Race

I love the holidays! I love having my children home to hug, kiss, and admire what beautiful adults they have become. I love the opportunities to make memories with family and friends, such as playing the Right Family Christmas, or new to us—Heads Up. I love the warm, coziness of my home filled with Christmas lights, candles, and decorations. It’s truly a labor of love, as I cook and bake. And as God gave us the gift of Christ, we continue the tradition of expressing love to each other with thoughtful gifts. All of these things made for a beautiful 2015 holiday. Another reason I thank God for the gift of life.

My son traveled back to the banking business in Chicago, my daughter to floral designing in Los Angeles. Once my hubby returned to work, I looked forward to the clean slate of 2016.

One of the desires I had for this year was to save up for a masticating juicer. Masticating juicers render more juice from your produce and protect valuable enzymes. To my surprise, I was blessed with unexpected gifts of money for Christmas, which allowed me to buy the Omega J8006. This juicer should greatly improve the nutritional value of my juice/smoothies and our health!

As I was journaling yesterday, God led me to a scripture that validated some thoughts I have been wrestling with. Funny thing, the scripture didn’t offer a solution, but God simply communicated, I know what you’ve been through. That Word brought me comfort and released tension.

Whenever I am given the right word at the right moment, it is healing to know someone understands and cares. Then I thought about this blog and my manuscript—Finishing the Race. Although we may not have experienced the exact same challenges, I hope you will find comfort in knowing you are not alone, you are not crazy, and someone understands. I’ve experienced adversity. But through my journey, I have learned to manage and conquer self-criticizing myself and my body, which used to fuel years of constant dieting and the insecurities that tagged along.

The beautiful thing is once you know the truth, the truth sets you free. Truth gives you peace, comfort, and the strength to make sound, healthy changes. In 2016, I look forward to sharing more truth on how to be more in tune with your body, soul and spirit. We’ll continue to:

• Look at ways to nutritiously feed your body with foods God created to gain energy, improve health, and maintain a healthy weight
• Help you release your fears of gaining weight
• Give you “principles to live by” to free you from dieting obsessions, self-criticism, and insecurity

You may be thinking, “Julie, you don’t know how long I have been dealing with weight issues.” No I don’t. Personally, my issues go back to when I was an obese toddler. However, truth was revealed to me as an adult, and the truth always set me free. It wasn’t overnight. It was a process. But I am free!

Now as we enter a new year, a clean slate, I want to continue to share truth with you. Thank you for joining me in this healing journey. And thank you to all of you that have spoken to me and have shared your positive outcomes—that encourages me greatly.

Blessings and healing to your mind, body, and spirit this year. xo