Shedding Old Skin

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I had just finished my lunch break and was walking back inside as I passed a tree... a few actually... bare, brittle, no leaves, no color, just lifeless. And a thought occurred to me (as they always do)... Maybe it is necessary to shed old skin to become new continuously, just  like nature does. 

I'm the first to admit that I have many new leaves I could embrace. There are things I could do to: 
- be a better wife
- be a better friend
- be a better daughter
- be a better follower of Christ
- be a healthier and happier me

But why is it so easy and convenient to put these efforts on hold? Is it so hard to shed old skin to become new?

I've been doing a challenge where I'm reading my Bible everyday. It has been challenging. Some books aren't as interesting to me, but they are important to me. Those books are my history and it's important to know where you came from to know where you are going. And this is where I turn over a new leaf... In the Bible, there are many times that the same people I came from have turned evil and against God and this is NOT the person I want to become. (start the shedding of old skin now please!)

Husband: I want to do things with a happy heart for my husband, and make his journey a smooth one. I want him happy (and it doesn't take much so that's doable!) Justin is very simple. You feed him, keep his clothes clean, and love him. Done.

Friends: I want to be a better friend and have for some time. I'm that friend that most people can pick up where they left off with. No issues, no one complains, but I don't want to be just that friend anymore. I want to call in between or text in between visits and check up on my friends. I do care about them and I do want to know how they are doing. I also want to be better about hanging out with them.

Daughter: Not gonna lie... I'm a pretty bomb daughter. haha j/k. I call my mom and dad often. My improvement here would be offering to help more often with my precious grandnana. It's a lot on my parents I'm sure, and I could be more available to help... and let's just throw one more thing in here... I could do it with a more of a happy heart.

Better Follower: This is a work in progress. Shedding my old skin (old skin=just focusing on me) has been such a blessing. I'm the person that wants to handle everything myself and trying to let someone else control it has been the toughest challenge for me. But it's been the best decision I've ever made. Letting God be in control of my life has been an awesome experience. I have no idea what I am doing or where I am going, but I've got a pretty magnificent chauffeur and I'll trust Him with getting me to the right places in my life.

Healthier Happier Me: Lately, I've been more focused on what I am putting into my body and what I am doing with my body. I've been doing some yoga and trying to be healthier. As for the happier, If I do all the things I've listed above, I don't see how I couldn't be happier!

You see... Shedding old skin is a challenge. Old skin is comfortable, familiar, sometimes you may even think it suits you well.... But don't be fooled by old skin. There can be damage done with wearing old skin too long. And the way I see it, God is forever changing us, forever improving us, forever making us better versions of ourselves, and forever making us new.

Ditch the old, embrace the new. I promise it will look good on you.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
-2 Corinthians 5:17

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