Let's Be Honest...About Jesus

I'm going to start out by saying that this is not going to be a normal outfit post. This post is me being completely honest about my intentions for this blog. This isn't about clothes. This isn't about recipes. This isn't even about fitness. It's about Jesus. All about Jesus.

When I started this blog, I was driven by the idea of impacting people's lives through things that I love: Jesus, clothes, food, and fitness. It's important to me to keep the focus of what I am trying to accomplish through this blog. I love to share my outfits and favorite brands and products with you. I love to represent companies and showcase their items. I love to share my favorite recipes and exercise tips. However, I especially love to share the love of Jesus with people, and I want to make sure I take that opportunity every chance I get.

The longer I live on my own (4 years and counting now), the more my need for Jesus exists. Life never gets easier, in fact, it only seems to get more stressful every day. My list of things to do never grows shorter, and my bills never get smaller. In fact, my bills are only growing larger now that I'm starting physical therapy school. I cannot work near as much, and I'm no longer going to be on scholarship. I realize that most college students live off of loans, but I have never ever been in debt. I dislike asking people for money, and I am the kid who has even had a savings account for years to prevent myself from ever having to ask for money. That's a huge stress that I'm about to take on, and I couldn't do it without God on my side. I am investing in my future and investing in my abilities to serve my God through medical ministries in the future. That is what keeps me focused on getting through the next 3 years. I want to help underprivileged people in poor countries get the therapy that they need, and bring them the Gospel while I'm at it. Whether that's full time or during short trips, I have no idea. I just know that's somewhere in my future.

My health is also an area of worry in my life. My pictures showcase me in my best state. My hair is fixed, my makeup is on (usually - although sometimes I hide my no makeup eyes with sunglasses!), and I have on my best clothes. What you don't see is my struggle with P.O.T.S. I take beta blockers every single day in order to try to keep my symptoms away, but sometimes it's not enough. I probably drink twice as much as a normal human everyday, but I'm still chronically dehydrated. This tends to cause migraines at times, which totally throws me out of the game. I have several food allergies and intolerances which have made the actual medications for the disease impossible for me to take, so I just have to try to manage it day to day. I'm blessed to have the degree in exercise science that I have in order to understand exactly what is wrong with me so that I can still exercise safely and manage it as best I can, because sometimes I get attacks while I exercise, which is frustrating, especially when I'm in the middle of teaching a group exercise class. I know that God has a reason for me to have this, and I pray everyday that I'll grow out of it (the doctor seems hopeful!), but until then, I'm still praising Him.

Now, I'm not sharing my struggles in order for you to feel sorry for me. That is not at all what I want. I am a strong human being, and I tend to feel like I could take on the world with God's help despite my obstacles. I am sharing these things with you to show you that although I like to post pictures of myself looking my best in my favorite outfits, I am human, and I struggle just like anyone else. I have bad days, and my life is not all rainbows and sunshine. I do not fix my hair or put on makeup every single day. Although I love to eat healthy and exercise, I struggle with my sweet tooth. I am human, and I absolutely cannot live a fulfilling life without God at the center of it. Our world loves to portray women in their perfect states, but I want to be honest about myself. I want to be real with my readers, and this is as real as I can be.

Yesterday I posted a verse for encouragement, and it is one that I have been really focusing on this week:

1 Corinthians 10:31 - "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

This verse is a constant reminder that no matter what I am doing, it is for the Lord. He died for me, so I am living for Him. I am nowhere near a perfect Christian (and probably never will be - it's a process of growth, not perfection!), but I want to strive every single day to bring Him glory in all that I do. So that is the point of this blog. It's to use the gifts that God has given me in fashion, food, and fitness, and using it to bring Him glory. I am excited to grow this blog even more so that I can reach even more people with the love of Jesus.

So what is Sweeter than Serenity? It is Jesus. Serenity is a peace, but Jesus is even better.

If you don't know the love of Jesus, please send me an email and I would love to talk with you! (hannahmarieanderson11@gmail.com)

God Bless!
Hannah