Preparation

Wow. It has been much too long since I updated this! I must confess...I have yet to complete the last 3 months of this challenge. And I do not have this list in front of me in order to catch up the months that I DID complete. :/ My life has been in constant transition for months which unfortunately put this blog on the back burner.

So then why am I writing a post? Good question!

When I embarked on this journey nearly a year ago, I knew God had plans for it, but I could not have dreamed what. Giving something up for a month at a time took discipline. Some months it felt easier than others. Yet in the back of my mind, I knew I could have the thing I was giving up back when the month ended.

Then January came. I was sick all the time. Bronchitis plagued me on a regular basis. I was at my wits end! Spending a week in bed every couple months does not bode well for anyone, especially a college student finishing up senior year! In one conversation with my mom, she casually mentioned giving up dairy. To be honest, I hated the idea. But I was desperate. Half-heartedly I gave it try. At first I only gave up the obvious things: milk, cheese, yogurt, etc. I didn't bother reading labels. And I would sneak a bite here and there. Gradually I became more strict...and actually read the labels of all the food I ate. Still would have a little now and again though.

I began to notice a pattern: off dairy, I was healthy or at least didn't develop bronchitis; after dairy, I got sick. Perhaps all the "colds" I had gotten were actually allergy reactions! One day I desperately wanted some cheesecake. So I had some. And got sick. Sigh. Maybe if I gave it more time I could have it!

I waited months. A few weeks ago, I was out to dinner with people who did not understand my allergy. They wanted me to have the dessert. So I took 2 tiny bites. And a few bites of cheese bread. Sickness hit 24 hours later...and yet again I went to urgent care with bronchitis. I had barely had any dairy. :( Up until that point, I had held out hope that in a year I could reintroduce dairy into my life. Now I'm not so sure...

So what does this have to do with Re-Challenge? A lot actually.

God knew that I would be needing to give up dairy--and with that a lot of foods that I love. He was preparing me by teaching me to give up other things month by month. Without the 5-6 months of preparation and practice, the transition into eating dairy-free would have been exponentially harder! Granted, it was still a difficult process, but one I was equipped to face. A moment when I pause to praise God for His ability to prepare me for the things ahead!!