Unexpected friendships

Have you ever found yourself in a place where you had an unexpected relationship?   That doesn't happen often, as the very heart of the strength of any relationship is the fact that it usually takes work.

A few months ago, I found myself sitting in a training.  Being an elementary school teacher, I'd done plenty of trainings for a variety of things.  So, nothing new, right?

Wrong!  This training was so that I could become a REFIT® instructor.  I found REFIT® a little over 2 years ago, via YouTube, as I was looking for ways to become a healthier me.  Being a Christian and a lover of music, REFIT® spoke to me.  This uncoordinated, introverted person would workout to REFIT®, a cardio-dance workout, daily in the privacy of her own home. 

Fast-forward about a year and a half, and there I was, sitting in a training with the REFIT® founders (insert "EEK!" here), readying myself to become a fitness instructor!  Me, the girl who was a wallflower at school dances.  Me, the girl who was voted "Most Bashful" in her Senior class.  Me, the introverted girl.  Me, the girl who got a "C" in wellness class in college, simply  because she didn't show up. 

Yeah, that's me!  I am now a REFIT® instructor and I love it.  I am enough!

At that same training was a woman that I only knew through my blog and through acquaintances.  Yet, through God's timing (and REFIT®), I found myself in an unexpected friendship.  It wasn't like teenage years or even in early adult years, I wasn't looking for a new friendship.  I had(have) friends.  I was just looking to more forward in my fitness.

But, here's the thing.  God delights Himself in His people.  I have no doubt that God plans relationships for everyone: marriages, work-relationships, and even unexpected friendships.

In the book of Ruth, Naomi (who just so happens to be my late-Mamaw's name) finds herself as an unexpected widow.  She finds an unexpected friendship in her daughter-in-law, Ruth.  Ruth refuses to leave her mother-in-law's side:

"Don't urge me to leave you or turn my back on you.  Where you go, I will go.  Where you stay, I will stay.  Your people will be my people.  Your God will be my God" ~Ruth 1:16

Just like Naomi found herself with Ruth, I found myself in an unexpected friendship. 

So, if you've never stepped out of your comfort zone, I encourage you to do so.  In moving forward in life, my out-of-comfort level provided the opportunity for new friendships.  Take a chance.  Take a chance on yourself.  Take a chance on people and you just might find yourself in unexpected friendships, as well.

Be blessed.

Six Folds: a new beginning

My name is Julie Lewis.  In no particular order:  I am a teacher, REFIT® instructor, mother, daughter, child of God, wife, minister, reading-fanatic, and overall crazy multi-tasking, organizing woman.  I love God with all my heart and soul.  I love my family and am an advocate for all things related to family and faith.   I am a multi-tasker by heart and I cannot change.  You won't find me sitting still.  I love my kids, but sometimes get cranky with them for no particular reason.  I love my husband, and, to this day, am amazed by our relationship.  There you have it.  I am me.  And, I am enough.

I am a Proverbs 31 woman.  Yes, you heard it right.  Proverbs 31.  In fact, this is the first blog post under my new blog: Six Folds!  I was a previous blogger of aproverbs31challenge.blogspot.com .  Why the change?  I feel like I'm growing as an individual.  Growing in life.  So, I'm going to blog about my life as it falls into one of six folds:

1. Faith--First and foremost, I am a Christian and child of God.  Am I perfect? Far from it....but that's the beauty of Christ.  So, I will be blogging about my spiritual walk.

2.  Family--I come from a big family.  But, I also hope that my love for the family (not just mine) is embedded into what I post.

3.  Friendships--By nature, I am shy and an introvert. People find this funny because I deal with people all the time, as a fitness instructor, teacher, and minister. I don't make friends easily, because of this shyness (though it has gotten better over the years---just ask my parents!).  Once I make friends, I don't let go easily.  I value people.  I value friendships.

4.  Food--My husband is an awesome cook (by hobby, not job) and has recently started his own local television show.  We LOVE food, but also have a desire to live a healthier lifestyle.  I'll be posting about food, recipes, etc.

5.  Fitness--If you would have told me that I would be a fitness instructor, I wouldn't have believed you.  I hated working out and exercising when I was younger.  HATED IT.  But, I am a certified REFIT® instructor.  Check them out at refitrev.com.  I adore this company and everything it stands for.  So, I'm positive that you'll hear me talk about REFIT®.

6. Fun--Life is what you make of it.  So, why not make it fun?


I hope that you'll continue with me on this six-fold journey!  Be blessed!