SHOW ME WHO, GOD!

Will God show me, out of a huge roomful of people, the one person who will help me? I was desperate—gaining weight, unhealthy, looking awful, and feeling worse! I was so out of shape, I was losing my strength. Ridiculous as it sounds, I was praying, “God, show me who will get me to the gym.”

I had a wonderful community gym and I could bring two guests with me each time I went. Trouble is, I never went! For seven years I MEANT to go to the gym, but each day seemed too busy, or I was too tired.

One time I agreed to go to the gym with a neighbor before daybreak, but when I didn’t feel 100%, I didn’t go since she was able to get into the gym without me. All my neighbors had memberships in the community gym that came with buying their house. What I needed was a gym-buddy who would be unable to get into the gym, unless I showed up.

I was fairly new to Arizona, and I knew only neighbors and people at my church. Since all of my neighbors belonged to the gym, that left people from church. So sitting in church early, I asked God to show me who would get me to the gym three times a week. “WHO SHOULD I ASK, GOD? It needs to be someone who really wants to go to the gym—so I have to go too, so she can get in as my guest.”

I sat down in the back row of church and watched for who God would show me. I noticed a teenage girl, who I could see was struggling with a weight problem. I knew her mother, and if her mother wanted to go to the gym, that would be perfect! Her daughter could come along as my second guest, and get in shape, along with her mom and me.

I found her mother, Karen, and told her I was looking for a gym-buddy. She was interested, provided we could work out a schedule. She was a wife, a homemaker, she home-schooled three children, and worked part time, so her schedule was very tight.

We made a plan that was good for both of us, and thus began five years of Karen faithfully getting me to the gym. Karen had the drive that I didn’t, to get to the gym three times a week. Because she drove nine miles to get there, I HAD to show up in order for her to get in.

WAS THAT GOD WHO POINTED ME TO KAREN AS A GYM-BUDDY? The proof is in the pudding. Here is the evidence–the blessings God gave to Karen and me:

1. Both of us are in better physical shape.

2. Because of exercising, my bones are stronger, and when my dog caused me 3 bad falls, nothing broke—no serious injuries.

3. Karen dropped 4 dress sizes exercising at the gym.

4. Friendship with another generation is a blessing. I’m old enough to be her mother!

5. Karen’s younger daughter now comes to the gym with us and she keeps helping me with my I-Phone, since I didn’t grow up with I-Phones.

6. Karen gets me out of my narrow world. Twice she has coaxed me into an incredible Bible class that I needed.

7. We advise one another. She knows styles of clothes and has a young perspective. I share insights I’ve learned over the years.

8. Karen noticed that I took my dogs to the vet more than necessary and suggested that I call her before going to the vet. She has saved me a lot of money on vet bills.

9. We dog-sit for each other.

10. She listens to me and is a natural problem solver.

11. We are a support and encouragement to one another.

12. We discuss lots of things together and pray about them.

13. We have each other to be accountable to.

14. It is wonderful to have a confidante–someone with whom we can share anything and know it will go no further.

15. Since we are both wives and mothers, we have much common ground, where we understand one another, and there is a natural camaraderie. We even went into business together.

16. Karen and another friend, Jan, also edit this blog for me.

THAT WAS GOD THAT POINTED KAREN OUT–TO GET ME TO THE GYM! Out of a big church filled with hundreds of people, He pointed out Karen’s daughter. Even though her daughter never went to the gym, He used her to direct me to her mother. IT WAS KAREN I NEEDED TO GET ME TO THE GYM! Countless other blessings came to both of us—-and continue! God promised, “Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24).

I challenge you to talk to God and ask Him for help for ANYTHING that you need. In Phil. 4:19 He promises to meet ALL your needs! That is an incredibly huge promise, but He loves you just as you are, and will answer you and bless you, because you ask. Be sure to get my free eBook, “Ten Steps to Answered prayer.” It tells you how to live on praying ground, where God will answer your prayers.