what have I done?

so I received all of my P90X equipment today in the mail. I excitedly unwrapped everything and made an attempt at installing my pull-up bar. It's still a work in progress. Now comes the time for the fitness challenge. This is where you do various exercises to show just how out of shape you are. The idea is that you come back in 9o days and do the same challenge to see how much progress you have made. The evidence of my inactivity over the last few years very quickly came to light. I managed to do only 12 push ups and the 1.5 minutes of jumping jacks nearly killed me! Thus, the reason why I need this. I may die doing it, but if I stick with it, it will be worth the effort.

So why am I doing this now? Especially along with the other challenge I have set before myself of reading the Bible in 90 days. Also, besides the fact that they both neatly fit into 90 day packages! Also, along with the fact that I feel that physical and spiritual well being can go hand in hand quite nicely, I simply need this. I need to dig into the word of God and let it take hold of me. Despite being a Bible College graduate, I have yet to a place in my life where reading the Bible has become a regular life changing thing. I have sparks of hope, but it never really catches hold. I need that. I feel called to let that happen in my life. Unfortunately, I don't think it is something that is just going to magically happen for me. It's much like working out in that you have to put in the effort first.

So again I wonder, why now? While being bored and needing a project are part of it, there are a few more things involved. I've been complaining of my clothes not fitting for quite some time. I suppose I'm not going to shrink down to the size I want simply with good intentions. If that were the case, no would be out of shape. I suppose the biggest factor was the birth of my beautiful daughter Julia, three weeks ago. She's perfect beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I never knew that you could instantly love somebody that much. This may be a new dad thing, but I have become overwhelmed with the responsibility of fatherhood. Not only to be a good dad, but to simply be here for her and later in life for her kids. To do that I need to get healthy. I had open heart surgery 5 years ago so things are not exactly in my favor health wise. I need to work doubly hard to achieve this!

So I guess you could say that I am doing this now because I cannot afford to wait. My desires have finally met up with the proper motivation and determination.

Wish me luck!
-Michael