Day 4 "The Shred " Must Travel

June 4, Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Prov. 15:1).

Things are not always as we think they should be. On day four of “The Shred” Jordan, Jay, and I left early in the morning for Denver to attend my nephew’s wedding, visit Colorado Christian College, a school that Jordan is interested in attending after graduation, and to attend a play, staring Barbra Andrews, a close family friend. Not exactly your boring week-end.

Our big problem....When and where will we perform “The Shred” (that I forgot to pack)? On the sidewalks of the 16th street mall, that’s where (isn’t that where all improv happens)! Oh, it didn’t look like a typical Jillian workout but it was power walking and arm moving at its finest; I guarantee you that we shredded not only our bodies but our checkbook as well.

No, it wasn’t the normal Shred, and you can judge me if you like, but I assure you our hearts were right. This was the environment that we were in and we had to make the most of our conditions. Speaking of environment, on our way over the beautiful Rocky Mountains I couldn't help but notice the pine trees that grew so mightily in their perfect climate. I flashed back to the peach orchards in Palisade, CO that we had passed earlier that day and said to myself, “Those peach trees wouldn’t survive in the Colorado Mountains.” It wouldn’t be a matter of good seed or good soil; it would simply be that the environment wasn’t right for growing peach fruit.

Have you ever walked into a place that the spiritual climate was so stressful that you could cut the tension with a knife? While you didn’t see it, you could feel it? So my question is… can we change the climate of our environment (our homes, youth groups, schools, etc) so that healthy fruit trees grow?

I know that I’m rambling but the Bible tells us that we can change our environment and the climate around us by speaking kind words (Prov. 15:1). We can actually change our surroundings so that people can grow and love one another by simply speaking kind words into their lives.

You know I could have cussed myself for forgetting “The Shred,” yelled at Jay when he was back seat driving (the whole way over the mountain), and freaked out when Jordan was driving down Vail pass, but instead I decide to speak positive to myself, “June, you can get “The Shred” on free exercise TV tomorrow,” then I decided to joke with Jay about the comments coming from the back seat, and I pressed hard on the floor board of the car as if that might slow the car down.” Our environment stayed positive and we all learned and grew from the situations. So until tomorrow speak love into your surroundings and watch them grow.