Juicing, Napping and Battle

My husband and I started a five-day juice detox on Monday.

I haven't weighed myself because for me, for once, it is not specifically about weight loss, but is about my health.  I have been sick with a chest cold three times in two months.  And frankly, it scared me. Because I have done a lot of things to live a healthier life style such as drinking more water, taking a good multi-vitamin, using essential oils, etc. One large thing that I am doing, however, is being counteractive to what I am not doing, eating better.  So we bought the groceries, and each morning I spend almost two hours prepping our four juices each for the day. It has not been fun, but it has been eye opening.

Energy. I have been filled with energy, serious amounts of energy.  It is a bit sad for me to look back at how the horrible diet I have been relishing in has not only caused me bodily harm (i.e. weight gain, high cholesterol, gateway to many diseases, being uncomfortable in my clothes and my own skin) and mental harm (depression, anxiety, feelings of worthlessness, etc.) and even spiritual harm (My body is a temple and it belongs to Him. What am I doing to my body, His temple? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20), and now, I realize....even more harm: napping.

Ahhhh, naps.

My body, over the last 20 years, has given in and given up and I believe that it has controlled my mindset in that I have to take a nap.  I can feel a physical pull to lay down and rest.

Sluggish, brain fog, exhaustion.

I am not saying that naps are bad, or spiritually wrong, just that my naps have been for the wrong reasons.

And this juice detox, has taught me this scary fact.  On day 2 of the detox, I laid down for an afternoon nap out of habit. Minutes into it, I realized that I was not going to fall asleep, and my mind became preoccupied with the things I needed to do, wanted to do, around my home. So I got up, and did the things. Worked around the house, cleaned, parented, etc.

Days 3 and 4, no desire to nap. None.

Ummm, what amazing discovery have I stumbled upon? You really are what you eat. And what you eat can affect every aspect of your life.  So, eating healthier can actually be good for my home making, my homeschooling, my activity?  The realization of this had me dancing and singing all over my kitchen. All over my house. Until an hour ago.


The enemy swept in, disgusted with my enlightenment and awareness, and did his thing between my husband, my daughter, and me. He maneuvered right into our living room and spread his evil plan. And I fell for it. My daughter ran to her room to isolate herself. My husband left for work angry. And I sat in my office crying and exclaiming what a failure I am. Bad mom, bad wife, bad home maker, bad...bad...BAD.

And guess what my answer was to it all...a nap. Yep, a nap. I started wrapping up my work and prepared to escape to my bed for a nap. Until the notification pinged that someone I follow on Periscope had just popped on. I pulled it up, and it was straight from God.  Seriously, her scope was all about "how creepy easy it is..." to lose your perspective because one little thing happened.

And so, I cancelled my trip to the Land of Nod and continued working. And although I am still reeling from the fight, my heart has been reminded that I may have lost that one, but I am victorious in the battle. Because He already conquered. And I am a joint-heir.

So, my conclusion is this: When I am eating healthier and when I am in His Word, and when I am doing anything that is pleasing to Him, I have a target on my back.

On my head.

On my Soul.

Therefore, I must not just pay attention to what I am eating, wearing, feeling, but also to the Spiritual Realm that is real, and alive, and happening, right now.

{Purse}onally Yours,
Tina