A Peaceful Harvest

Today is a great day for a lot of reasons, but one reason in particular. Hard work is evident.

This morning I put on my clothes and saw the evidence of my hard work over the last two months. I wasn't sure it would fit, but I put on a shirt that I could not wear two months ago. I had bought it a while ago and wore it one time. When I washed it and tried to wear it again, I realized it had shrunk. It was noticeably uncomfortable. Today it fit perfectly. 10 pounds lost, multiple miles logged, and countless hours of insanity had paid off. This was a happy girl.

The other evidence of hard work will lie with my husband. Today we will close on our new house and turn over a check that will to date be the largest I have ever paid in a lump sum. I have my husband to thank for that. Being honest, when we first made the offer on this house I was nervous. I didn't know how it would work, but Zeb took care of it. 35 days straight without a day off and not a complaint to boot, we will have the money for closing and then some. This is a happy girl.

Hebrews 12:11 says, "no discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way."

This could not be more true. I had great days, but more often than not I didn't want to do my workout. I wanted to eat something other than fruits and veggies. I wanted something other than water to drink. I know there were days when climbing out of bed at 3:45 am for the 15th day in a row was hard for Zeb. I know he wanted a Saturday to relax. I know we both wanted to enjoy a night on the town or at least dinner. Being disciplined was painful! However, today we are experiencing the peaceful harvest.

All of that discipline was more than worth the feeling I had today when I got dressed and I know it will be even more worth it when I write that check later today and am handed keys for our house. A peaceful harvest it is.

Someone once said discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. Set your goals today and then find the bridge to accomplishment. A year from now you will wish you started today. There is no time to wait. And when your only half way across and the end of that bridge seems so far, just remember discipline will get you there. It makes all the difference. The accomplishment will be a sweet, peaceful harvest.