Hello everyone! I know we’ve gained a lot of new friends this summer, so let me reintroduce myself: My name is Amber, and I’m the SoulfulMOTION Director. I try to write a newsletter every…. Once in a while, so here’s your chance to learn a little more about me, about SoulfulMOTION, and to gain some insight into who we are as a commUNITY. Welcome!
Now back to it…
Phew!! It was one busy summer yall! This summer was packed with sun, food, fun, and so many great times with my family and friends! I pray that you were able to experience some joy this summer as well. I know we only get a solid 12 weeks of summer here in Michigan, and we try to soak it up as much as we can.
As you know, I’ve been teaching SoulfulMOTION Fitness classes for 10 years now, and this summer was one of the best. I really loved our new outdoor location at MacKay Jaycees Park. It was secluded, no residential areas, parking worked, all good things. As I look back, it was easy to praise God within the goodness… because nothing went wrong. Except for that one day.
Myself, Kelly, and Ashlee typically try to show up 30 minutes prior to classes to get set up, make sure the sound works, etc. On this particular day, our parks and rec assistant set up the sound, and left. As I arrived with the speakers, got them all plugged in, we realized… nothing’s happening. Kelly assessed the situation 32 times as she does, but still no sound. We were plugged in, speakers turned “on”, etc. I started to panic… (which can be my typical response). I immediately thought, “We will have close to 100 people here in less than 10 minutes… and we have no sound.” At this point, all of our other instructors begin to show up. And in true SoulfulMOTION Fitness Instructor fashion, they ALL want to know what they can do to help. We advise them to start the “circle”.
Christina is wiggling some cords around, we asked Sammie to bring some extra extension cords… and nothing worked. Typically, I’d be and feel defeated. But not today Satan! After a LONG conversation with my husband one day, he told me that I was a negative thinker.
Me?!?!
Who!?!?
What!?!?
No I’m NOT!!!!!
(But was I?)
Optimism wasn’t always my initial thought or way of thinking. As a person who deals with FACTS on a daily basis, FACT became my way of thinking and dealing with situations. For instance, the power isn’t working and that’s a fact. We can’t have a class. 100 people aren’t going to be able to hear anything and we can’t sing our way through a class.
BUT WE DID.
By being a “realist” or a facts based thinker, there were many times that I would omit our amazing God from a situation without even knowing it. And as “saved” as I thought I was, I was doing myself a disservice by being a realist. Although I was offended by my conversation with my husband, he was right. And since that day, I’ve made my best effort to keep any FACTS based opinions to myself, and attempt optimism first. This has changed my life.
If I truly believe God’s word, then regardless of the facts, I’m putting my faith in Him.
When those doctors read those facts about my oldest child, we went to God in prayer. Those facts turned into miracles. Once we let go and let God work, those facts were reduced to mere afterthoughts and words of the past.
My God.
~
As I pulled my old 2013 vehicle up on that concrete, I was still a little unsure, as this optimism mandate is new for me. But God showed up for us all. Although we ALL couldn’t hear the music, we ALL moved our bodies in worship to Him, and that is all that mattered. Optimism is faith in action yall. If you are someone who struggles with this, welcome. I challenge you to move your faith past facts, but in the TRUE and ability of our amazing, mysterious, miraculous, holy God. The one who is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ever imagine.
How can you change your thinking in this season, to be optimistic, positive, hopeful, and faithful? That is my challenge to you dear friends. Find a way to remind yourself to be hopeful and optimistic.
God is waiting to show you who He is, but only if we open the door to Him through our faith, belief, and optimism. Blessings to you all friends, and I hope to see you soon!
