I set out on a modest experiment that I did not realize would yield such an enlightening experience: one month of focusing on pruning and purity. I am halfway through the month, and my inner voice is already chiming in, “Told you. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
My thought process and plan of execution were simple. I categorized my focus into two categories (pruning and purity), each having three areas of intention: mind, body, and spirit.
Mind: Limit social media interaction, release negativity, filter my thoughts through the Word of God, and reduce overthinking.
Body: Put an end to stress eating, break away from body-shaming myself, stop sitting all day (and night), and donate my clothes that no longer fit or are not flattering.
Spirit: Turn my worries into prayers, read the Bible rather than scroll on my phone, leave people better than where I found them, and trade in the hustle and bustle for resting in the Lord.
PURITY
Mind: Read Philippians 4:4-9 daily, think and speak more of my joys than complaints, trade concern for contentment, and approach others in peace.
Body: Exercise daily, eat healthier, drink more water, and wear the darn dress even though my legs are thick.
Spirit: Rest in God’s love, trust in God’s purpose, be a blessing, and forgive myself and others.
All this looked impressive on paper. By mid-July, however, I found myself at urgent care, severely dehydrated, four pounds heavier, overthinking my lot in life, and exhausted from sitting at work all day only to come home to work for several more hours for my second or third job (depending upon the night). In truth, the only thing that looked pruned was my pallid and bone-weary reflection in the mirror. And purity? I was averaging below 50% on making the mark. I did wear a dress to work one day, but even then, I stress-ate chocolates and downed a large cappuccino (or two) while wearing it.
Under the doctor’s orders, I was to drink water throughout the day. As I filled up my water tumbler, I thought of how easy it is to do what I know I should, yet often don’t. What does that say about me? Standing over the sink, I let the water lower in temperature until the coolness upon my hands gave my arms goosebumps. I witnessed the reaction of my body from an intentional action. I let the water run over my hands while I stood for a moment in awe — in awe of the disrespect to myself. I have everything I need to make positive and significant improvements, but it seems I have more excuses than results.
I decided to loosen the ties and let go of my shallow anchors: temporary satisfaction, opinions of people who do not have my best interest at heart, and not having a proper balance of work, play, and rest. I set these anchors to sea like messages in a bottle, casting them out with warnings for whoever may be tempted to attach them to their lifeboat: NOT WORTH IT.
I yielded myself to the knowledge that what God gave me was enough, and if He desires to give me more or less, then that will also be enough.
My job is to be a good steward of what I have, including the time I am given. How I choose to fill each moment affects the quality of the next moment and so on. In taking a broader view of pruning and purity, I realized it is not a checklist but an acceptance and the daily practice of acknowledging that God created me; the vessel He gifted me in this world is temporary and imperfect (and regularly has chocolate and cappuccino cravings). And yet, what a gift! Life.
Life will become a chore if we think of it as drudgery. If we trust and believe life to be a blessing, then it will not only be a blessing, but we will become a blessing to others. One way we can honor Christ is by respecting His creation and treating our minds, bodies, and spirits properly. I have so much to learn, and I get it wrong often. Perhaps that is part of the mystery of faith — if we knew it all, what would be the point of faith?
I am thankful I still have time left in my month of pruning and purity. I will regroup and focus more on identifying the priority level of things and people who attempt to garner my attention, and the caliber of self that I put into each person, thought, and action.
Thus far, I have been reminded of something so clear that often people cloud it and complicate it with overthinking and worldly views: When we honor God above all, all else finds its place… including us.
Tiffany Kaye Chartier
SGLY, dear reader.
(Smile, God Loves You.)
Tiffany Kaye Chartier, Author 