Community in Unexpected Places
About two months ago my daughter and her son opened a fitness gym. She decided to offer classes for those 65 and over. It started off with 4 women and we now have about 9 when everyone makes it.
A few weeks ago we began barbell training… and have slowly added weights. The barbell training is always with a partner. It has been amazing to see the progress we have all made. Yesterday part of our workout was to do sets where we would be doing 8 knee raises pulling yourself up on the rig.
A couple of us weren’t sure we would be able to do it but what a feeling of accomplishment after we actually did it. I think the big takeaway is that we are willing to tackle the “hard” things because we not only have friends cheering us on but also we know no one is judging us.
When I committed to going 4 times a week I didn’t expect that it would become a place I actually looked forward to going to. It has truly become a family of like minded people. The love and support is as evident in this gym as it is in my church on a Sunday morning.
Just as spiritual growth requires the discipline of going to church, reading your bible, prayer physical fitness does as well. We must discipline ourselves to going, persevere and make healthy eating a priority.
When I am willing to push through with what I thought was impossible I am reminded God is the God of the impossible. He has given me this body to take care of and so I enter the gym 4 days a week with gratitude in my heart. It has become not only a place where I experience physical strength but spiritual strength as well.
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” -1 Corinthians 6:19-20