Core Strength and Receiving Blessings

As I was walking around Green Lake this morning, I saw a chocolate lab on a leash whose owner was talking on the phone. I heard someone yell from behind me, “Hello!” The woman with the dog looked up and waved, and the dog braced himself while his tail started wagging – seemingly uncontrollably. That dog was so filled with anticipation and joy that he literally had to brace himself on all fours to be able to stay standing while his tail wagged with vigor.

Anticipating the Future

As an older mother of two, I have noticed changes in my physical core strength. That being said, I have intentionally been working out in order to strengthen those core muscles. For me, this is about being able to keep up with all the good adventures that await me with my two young girls. I am full of anticipation for all this goodness, but I have to keep up my core strength to keep my body properly aligned and strong enough.

I also think about inner strength. I refer here to that part of us that has to be strong and alert enough to create boundaries, embrace challenges, open-heartedly receive goodness, and make wise choices. Often we think about the strength we need for the challenges ahead, but we also need to be ready to posture ourselves in the way of all the good things ahead.

The Core of Me

I remember my 30th birthday. My community at the time threw me a surprise party, drawing together cherished people from my past and present. My housemates even collected money to buy me my first laptop, as I would soon be embarking upon a graduate school adventure. At the end of that night, as I was alone in my room, I started weeping from out of nowhere. I was overwhelmed by the generosity and found myself saying, over and over again, “Take it back. This is too good for me.”

I look back upon that night and remember that, during those days, I was struggling with deep feelings of unworthiness. I was receiving much prayer around those feelings that existed at the core of me. And since then, during my own journey in counseling and graduate school, I have uncovered some of the roots of that unworthiness and also gained insights into the truth of who I am.

Standing in What is True

(NAS) says, Behold You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.- Psalm 51:6

As we stay grounded in truth, we are more able to fully be in any given moment – with a grateful heart and a steady mind. Rather than spend our days dwelling on regrets or disappointments from the past, or worrying about an upcoming event, we can stand strong in what is true. Mentally and spiritually, it takes intentional time and consistency to build up core strength and to saturate our “innermost being” with Truth.

I think about the way my daughters run full force toward me and leap up, trusting that I will catch them. At this point, I still can catch them without falling off my feet, even when they catch me off guard. And if I keep being intentional in building up my core, I will be able to do so for years to come. What a blessing – to be in the path of receiving such goodness from my little girls’ overflowing hearts.

That dog at Green Lake this morning – full of anticipation for the next pat on the head, or rub of the belly, or eye contact with a beloved human – knew that he needed to strengthen his legs while his tail started wagging in abandon to that joyous moment. He instinctively knew it. He was prepared. I don’t know why that image has stayed with me. But that dog inspired me to keep working, with intention, on my core. He challenged me to be ready to receive and weather, not just the challenges and tasks, but the joys and good surprises that life brings our way.

Christian Counseling to Find Inner Strength

If you find yourself at a time where you need help and guidance in your process of discerning truth and finding inner strength, please consider calling a Christian counselor today.