Hey everyone, glad you’re here!

Things are a bit messy today, but I’m determined to get this post done.  Dinner time is creeping up on us, and chaos is reigning supreme in my house. Sound familiar? Picture this: I’ve got about 30 minutes until we need to be out the door to midweek service, no one has eaten yet, and I’m scrambling to throw together a meal while simultaneously trying to finish my to-do list and the needs of these kids. It’s a scene of sheer mayhem, but amidst the madness, I wanted to take a moment to connect with you all.

 

I’m Dr. Andrea Christian Parks, an OBGYN, Christian, and weight loss coach. I’ve been through my own weight loss journey, shedding 60 pounds about 16 years ago. Tonight, I want to drop in and offer some words of encouragement, especially for those moments when everything seems to be going sideways.

We all start the day with energy and motivation, but as the day wears on and we’re faced with saying no to tempting snacks or dealing with the madness of family life, it’s easy to veer off course. Trust me, I’m in the kitchen right now, trying to multitask while my kids demand my attention from every corner of the house.

 

So, how do we navigate through this chaos and stay on track? First things first, take a deep breath.

Seriously.

Stop right now and breathe.

It’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy, but remember, life itself isn’t an emergency. Take a moment to breathe and remind yourself that this is your life, and you deserve to enjoy it.

Before diving into the madness or if you find yourself already knee-deep in it, take a minute to pray.

Literally.

One minute. 60 seconds.

Center yourself, remember why you’re doing what you’re doing, and who ultimately holds everything together. A moment of prayer can change your perspective and help you approach the rest of your evening with grace.

 

Taking a moment to breathe calms your nervous system and gets you out of emergency mode. When your mind is dealing with an emergency (real or perceived), you can’t make good decisions. That’s how you find your hand in the bag of Doritos when you plan to have a salad for dinner…

Prayer connects you back to your purpose. You love God and want to honor him with your body? Pray and remind yourself of that commitment. Then tap back into the source and move forward with Him. Listen for His hunger signal. Stop eating when He tells you you’re full. Pray to hear those signals clearly and welcome them. Hunger is a GOOD thing – it means you waited until God told you to eat and that you didn’t eat on your timing!

 

Now, let’s take a moment to pray together. Father in Heaven, thank you for this time together and for all the blessings in our lives. Help us find peace amidst the chaos and remind us of your presence, guiding us through even the busiest of times. Amen.

Thanks for joining me. Now, back to the kitchen I go. See you later!