Body and Spirit by Deborah Horack

I had written this last year for my community news paper. Please enjoy this and realize that God does show up in places we never except. About 3 years ago I started attending Liberty Fitness Gym. It actually wasn't by choice but I felt I was predestined to be there. I had a knee injury I received from a previous work out program that I had been with for 14 years. Doctors explained I needed a less intense workout. My future was uncertain and also a chance of surgery. Upset and wondering what I would do next, I started searching for my so called less intense workout. I truly felt God placed in my heart Liberty Fitness. I signed up and the weight and inches started coming off quickly. Not only was I losing weight but also realized there was more to this gym than weights and machines. The woman I was meeting were such Godly woman and I felt a sense of belonging. 

We began sharing stories about good times and bad. The trials we had gone through or the trial we were going through at that time. I was dealing with a son on drugs and these wonderful woman lifted my soul and spirit. I could see God in all these beautiful woman. And God was using them to help me through and give me comfort.
 

Each woman had her own story to tell and we were there trying to deal with the world around us and our place in it. I feel God had spoken and used them to help me with my son. Just knowing they are praying for me, knowing I have their support and love has been such a blessing in my life. I received more from this gym than I ever expected. We are a support group for each other, we are a smile and a hug, we are that shoulder to cry on. I wanted to share our story to let people know that God can truly turn up in places we never expect. The reason I feel this is true is because there is a higher presence at Liberty Fitness that seems to be the true foundation that is holding the gym up. And our foundation is God. God's light, God's love and fellowship. Those of us that have talked about this take comfort in knowing that as we are taking care of our bodies and health God is taking care of us.