Hair Color & Wrinkle Cream
I’ve noticed that I use both hair color and wrinkle cream a lot more than I use to. They have become necessary elements in my Esther Project. This project started by writing out some goals that I wanted to achieve by a certain date. During the goal setting process I was reading a book by Mark Batterson called Prayer Circles. He talks about goals and says, “Any goal that cultivates physical discipline will cultivate spiritual disciplines too.” He also said, “When you write down a goal, it holds you accountable. Goal setting is good stewardship.”
Because this journey is about both outside and inside changes, God introduced me to an internal product called re-conditioning. That word means to remodel, recreate, rejuvenate, restore, make-over. Over the years I have become a very content person and that can be both good and bad. Being easily content to me means low maintenance, easy going, and finds joy in the little things, not competitive and peaceful. But the other side is that there doesn’t seem to be much spark, excitement, drive, passion or flare.
Aside from a few goals to run some races, I haven’t sat down and thought out goals for quite some time. I’ve prayed to be a good steward of what God has blessed me with, but even that was done with a content mindset. The book challenged the reader to ask God for more for the soul purpose of using it for others. I don’t think I’ve ever done that before.
Remember how I mentioned that for years I had done the same things over and over and to no surprise, ended up with the same results. God is showing me how to re-condition my mind to do things differently, to think differently and to pray differently. By making these internal changes my outward actions will follow. So I prayed about what goals to set. The book suggested making goals in the following areas: family, influential, experiential, physical, financial and travel. He gave examples that really lit a spark in me.
The thing with goal setting is that listing a goal is just the first step. From there you have to know how you are going to reach that goal and break it down into smaller steps, achievable steps along the way. I made a goal to be at my target weight by my birthday, how am I going to make that happen? God helped me set some influential goals like writing a daily blog and meeting someone new every weekend. What do I need to do to make those happen?
To reach my target weight, I need to get active and be mindful of what I eat every day. To write a blog I needed to learn how to create one, research topics, spend time with God and pray for God’s leading on what to write. To meet someone new every weekend I need to get out there, see people and make sure to notice them with a smile, saying hello and give them a You Matter card.
I’m noticing that the internal re-conditioning is more enjoyable that the conditioning I experience with hair color and wrinkle cream. Both of those feel like striving for the inevitable, while the internal is like a fountain of youth. It creates excitement, passion and a desire for more. All the extra time spent with God in prayer and researching has been priceless and I find myself giving up things like TV and social media to just have more time with Him.
I notice when I look in the mirror there is a sparkle in my eye and joy on my face. Those aren’t there from the wrinkle cream. They are there from spending time with Him and having adventures with Him. The exercise and healthier eating of course have physical benefits, but they also help me to have stamina for going out there and meeting others. I’m learning that the internal and external changes all work together.
On Christmas Day I was outside building snowmen with my granddaughters. A lady by the name of Joy walked over to see what we were doing. She had flown in from Florida the night before to visit friends and had never seen snow before. When she saw us outside she had to check it out. She asked us how to make a snowball and after showing her we all participated in a snowball fight. It was so fun and she was laughing and dodging snowballs thrown by my granddaughters. She later thanked us for including her and went on her way.
God works everything together for good! Over the last few months of my Esther project I have become healthier, lost some weight and been able to do fun things with my granddaughters. On this special day He added the internal parts of noticing a stranger and inviting them to join us. Only He could have orchestrated the exact timing of everything coming together. My goal of meeting new people is one that I think He particularly enjoys helping me with.
I’ll continue to use the hair color and wrinkle cream because they do what they can to soften the exterior, but I really do prefer the re-conditioning on the inside. It’s softening my heart towards others and opening my mind to think more like Christ; quicker to forgive, slower to anger. Knowing where my help comes from and trusting that I can walk boldly into the future because He is the future, He holds the future and He’s already there.
My Prayer
Father, thank you for goals and the opportunities to achieve them. I know that You work everything for good and that You guide me toward the goals that will serve Your purpose. Thank you for the work You’ve begun in remodeling me inside and outside. You care about every detail. I’m blessed to be Yours. Amen
Where does my help come from?
Romans 8:28-30
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Philippians 1:6
“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”