“And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.” – Luke 10:39
I am an only child. I grew up with no siblings, but I do have sisters. I have sisters in the Lord. These are women that I love dearly, and we have formed a bond through our love for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. One of my “sisters” is a woman who has taken me by the hand and embarked on a challenging journey with me. It is my journey toward a better life, and that sister is my health coach, Anna Marie Lawrence.
I met Anna Marie when I worked at Dacula Middle School. Her classroom was opposite mine, so we’ve known each other for several years. I also had the pleasure of teaching her eldest daughter in my 8th grade class, so I got to know Anna Marie as a parent as well as a teacher. (She’s a great mom, by the way!) Our friendship developed further when we decided to earn our Specialist degrees at the same time. We carpooled to Ducktown, TN for the classes, and on the long Saturday rides to and from Georgia, we had ample time to share stories, laugh at jokes, and just have a great time together.
After I retired, we kept in touch mainly through social media. Then the coronavirus came, and we were all “sheltered-in-place.” Anna Marie had posted something on FB about “Quarantine Kickstart,” and I was intrigued, so I thought… why not give it a try? After all, it was just a 2-week thing, and I wanted something to do over the time of quarantine. As the end of Kickstart approached, I realized I wanted it to go on; I was enjoying it. I talked with Anna Marie about the whole program, and she shared her own journey with me. She had just started in January, lost 48 pounds at this point, and she sounded so happy. All of her postings showed her with the biggest smile on her face. I knew Anna Marie was not one to do anything on a whim; she is very intelligent and analytical, and we are like-minded spiritually, so I knew I could trust her judgment. I asked questions, and she answered every one with sincerity and honesty. (I took notes on everything she said!) She never pressured me; never coerced me; never guilted me into anything. She simply reached out in love, and I chose to accept it! Now, 10 days into the program, I am so grateful for her reaching out with that first post. Her success and encouragement was exactly what I needed to make one of the best decisions of my life.
Why do I need a health coach? For me, this journey is more than a plan to improve my physical health. It is also a time when I am striving to grow spiritually. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” When the going gets tough, having someone on whom I can turn to for help, who understand exactly what I am going through, is so important. Even the Bible references those who needed help from others in their journeys. When Moses grew tired, he had his own “coaches” to help hold his arms up (Exodus 17:12). Timothy, a young pastor, had the apostle Paul as his “coach” (1 Timothy 1:2). Having a coach who prays for me is far more valuable than anything else she could do for me. We are told to pray for one another throughout the Scriptures. Ephesians 6:18 reminds us, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” That’s what Anna Marie does for me!
However, the greatest advantage to having a sister in the Lord as my coach is the “bonus coach” that I get! Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20). Jesus is my bonus coach! Like Anna Marie, He is also with me every step of the way! Because my journey is also a spiritual one, I am seeking the Lord in every part of this effort, and I know Anna Marie totally understands me when I share my thoughts about the Lord, His part in my journey, and my dependence upon Him for success. I know that there are three of us working together on my health journey. What a team we make!
I am only on day #10 in my health journey, and my physical results so far have been very encouraging. As of today, I am down 8.5 pounds, and I have had no food cravings! My energy level is up, and I am feeling great.
Anna Marie, you are a blessing to me, and I am so glad God chose you to be my health coach!!
Bind us together, Lord, bind us together
With cords that cannot be broken.
Bind us together, Lord, bind us together,
Bind us together with love.
Made for the glory of God,
Purchased by His precious Son;
Born with the right to be clean,
For Jesus the victory has won.
(from “Bind Us Together” by Bob Gillman)
“Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.” Proverbs 27:9
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“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘You too? I thought I was the only one.’” – C. S. Lewis
Way to Go!