One focus Archives - Kristin Saatzer

Baby Steps Part Three

March 3, 2016 By Kristin Saatzer 2 Comments

“…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. ” ~Philippians 1:6 NIV

Thanks for joining me again for Baby Steps Part Three. Who knew a funny movie could inspire so!*

Please refer to my last two posts for reference: http://wp.me/p4RztF-v3 and http://wp.me/p4RztF-vY

So, did you do your homework? Did you list your SMART goals and hindrances?

How was your time of prayer? In what ways did the Lord speak to you?

Let’s wrap up with steps 4 and 5.

Baby Step Number 4: Enlist a Friend (s)

“Jonathan said to David, ‘Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD is witness between you and me…’ “ 1 Samuel 20:42 NIV

Share your ONE thing with your buddy. Brainstorm together. Plan times of accountability. Choose a friend (or friends) that will truly hold you up and ask the hard questions, no wimps allowed. Perhaps your friend has a similar goal or struggle and you can hold one another up?

How about joining an online support group? Or make your goal public by posting it on social media and ask for accountability (gutsy, I know). Perhaps you send a group email asking for prayer.

All of the above?

When I began working towards my goal, my husband and I buddied-up and did a sugar fast. I also joined an online support group. When I’m well, I go to a weekly workout called Revolution Fitness. It is faith-based and encourages me as I continue in my health journey.

Victory is found in community.

Baby Step Number 5: BEGIN!

“The beginning of a habit is like an invisible thread, but every time we repeat the act we strengthen the strand, add to it another filament, until it becomes a great cable and binds us irrevocably in thought and act.”

~Orison Swett Marden

JUST DO IT! Start. Execution is everything. Commit your goals to the Lord and take off.

Baby steps enable us to gain success. I have implemented one thing at a time in my healthy eating journey. I began with a sugar fast, then I started examining my foods and recording what I was eating. Small, do-able steps toward success.

My friend, I’m praying for you as you commit your ONE thing to the Lord. May you experience success as you take baby steps. When you stumble and experience temporary failure (as I already have), give yourself grace as God does and begin again. HE who began a work in you will carry it to completion, one baby step at a time.

Your ONE thing is waiting…

On your mark, get set- GO!

PC: Unsplash and Google Images

* “What About Bob”

Baby Steps Part Two

February 25, 2016 By Kristin Saatzer 3 Comments

Psalm 37:23 tells us the Lord delights in every detail of our lives. Every. detail. He desires to direct us in our point of struggle, delighting in our first small steps toward change.

Have you chosen your “ONE thing” yet (see Baby Steps Part One http://wp.me/p4RztF-v3)? Did you ask yourself the questions?

As mentioned, my ONE thing is my diet goal: 80% of my eating will consist of unprocessed, organic “real” food. Pondering the questions, I sensed God’s leading in choosing this goal at this time. Firstly because I have a sweet tooth or a chocolate tooth. I also grapple with eating on the go and mindless eating when life gets crazy or when I’m emotionally and physically bankrupt. I cycle between healthy and intentional to careless and unhealthy eating.

Because of chronic health issues, I believe cleaning up my diet will impact my vitality. When I am strong, it positively affects those I love and gives me energy for relationships, work and ministry.

Discouragement often holds me back and steals my success. YET I know that I know, I need to do what I can to live the best I can every day the Lord grants me.

Once we answer our questions and determine our ONE thing, we take steps toward change.
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Baby Steps Part One

February 16, 2016 By Kristin Saatzer 2 Comments

Have you dropped your New Year’s Resolutions already? Or are you pressing on? Maybe you don’t set goals because you know they won’t come to pass?

Our family loves the movie “What About Bob” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3JPa2mvSQ4 Bob learns that future success awaits him; he decides to follow the “Baby Steps” philosophy prescribed by his Psychiatrist. Yes, it’s a funny movie scene, but when I watch Poor Bob, I see a nugget of Psychology that makes sense. I find when looking at an entire goal, project or assignment I become overwhelmed. You too? Dr. Leo Marvin knows Bob has a LONG way to go towards his mental health healing. Instead of tackling it all at once, the doc encourages Bob to take one tiny step at a time.

I’m a resolutions kinda gal. I’ve been a planner and list-maker since childhood.

But I’ve resolved to do resolutions differently this time. I’ve made small, measurable goals instead of throwing out lofty hopes that may or may not come to fruition by the end of the year. Baby steps.

Are you a goal-oriented person? Maybe you are more casual and like to ride the waves of life instead of telling them how to get to the shore. Either way, we all have dreams and heart-filled plans don’t we? Something we’d love to see happen or even need to see happen? Perhaps it’s a broken relationship healed? A chunk of debt chiseled away? A successful step in your weight-loss journey? Or even tackling that ridiculously junked-out closet?