I readily admit that I do not have a green thumb. Maybe it's my helicopter parenting style that causes me to overwater most of my plants. Eventually they die from rotten roots. On a recent morning walk, I spied this fallen tree pictured here. It's roots were black and rotten. I couldn't help thinking what a shame it was that the whole tree suffered as a result of these little rotten roots. The tree looked to be in pretty good shape. It's deadly base had not yet caused any malformation on the surface. Yet now it would; the whole tree would now die quickly.
Hmmm, I was starting to think back on my years of unhealthy eating habits. I was now overweight and fatigued. For years, my "surface" looked to be in pretty good shape. What didn't show, however, was my arthritis, my high blood pressure and my high cholerosteral. My roots were starting to rot - gross! Six years ago I commited to taking supplements. This habit changed my health. After a few weeks, I started to feel energetic. After a few months, my blood pressure returned to normal and so did my cholesterol. Even my anxiety melted away.
Ten weeks ago, for the first time in my adult life, I finally started a regular walking routine. I now joke with my friends that I only walk on the days that I eat! Yes, I commited to walking seven days a week. It isn't a legalistic routine. I walk because I thoroughly enjoy it. I play beautiful praise instrumentals or acapella music while walking at a comfortable pace. I have experienced wonderful benefits! I've met new neighbors, I'm getting stronger, and my arthritis is quieting down. I'm also eating healthier while minding my caloric intake. I'm losing weight, and just feeling more peaceful overall! (For accountability, I'm using Noom.com on my phone.)
Now my roots are dipping into the living water of health. Thankfully we can heal our roots. The same is true for our emotional, mental and spiritual life. If you are feeling unhealthy, you can dip into the Living Water of God's Word to obtain health in every area. I call this Shalom Health.
When we feed on God's Word, we blossom with the fruit of the Spirit.This spiritual fruit is displayed as: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22).That last fruit, self-control, is one I am now experiencing more often. The more I practice it, the easier it becomes. It's benefits penetrate into every area of health. Now I am releasing myself to a routine that is all about love and health. So here's a cheer for healthy fruits and health roots!
See you next week at www.sparklinghope.com. Have a blessed and healthy week!