Here’s our second month of putting you, Beautiful Bricklayers, in the spotlight. Enjoy the wisdom and encouragement from this month’s interview with Erin Sheehy: a gorgeous, fun-loving, hard-working Daughter of the King of kings!
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am 30 years old, a Californian native, and the oldest of 5 kids. After studying at Wheaton College (IL), I taught in Honduras for 2 years before moving back to CA. Currently, this is my 9th year of teaching 7th grade English. During my free time, I love being with my Young Life high school kids, spending time with my family, and working out.
Since this month’s theme is health, how do you stay so healthy in mind, body, and spirit?
I stay healthy in my mind and spirit by spending time alone with Jesus. I love to make a bowl of oatmeal with a scoop of natural peanut butter and to have a cup of strong coffee while I read the Word in the morning before work. I prefer to turn off the radio of my car and to pray instead. As far as staying healthy and fit physically, I start my day with push ups and I always try to work out for at least 30 minutes daily even if it is late at night after work. Consistency is key for me. I love to spin on a bike at the gym or hike but my favorite workout is walking. In fact, this is where I do my best praying. I put my cell phone up to my ear, so people don’t think I am talking to myself as I pray out loud while I walk at the beach.
Why are you so intentional about being a healthy person? Who taught you the most about what it means to be healthy?
It is important to me to stay healthy because my body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and I want to be strong in order to better serve Him. It is also a stress relief for me to workout. I just feel better.
My parents had a great impact on my choices about prioritizing working out. I realized that my parents made time to invest in healthy living and that it should be a part of my life too.
Regarding men: what are some key qualities/attributes that you would like to see in the man you would marry? Do you ever dream of what he would be like?
I pray that the man I marry will be one who loves Christ. I also love having people over and showing hospitality, so I would love it if that were a part of his life. Since I work with kids, I would love it if he enjoyed youth. Finally, since taking care of my health is important, I would value it if a man took care of his physical health too.
Do you ever struggle in your singleness? What do you do when you are feeling down or aching in your heart?
Yes, there are times when I struggle with singleness. I liken it to a roller coaster. Some days I struggle and am scared about the next “twist and turn,” but other days, I enjoy the ride and smile at the future. When I feel down, I tell myself about the goodness and faithfulness of God. I also tell myself to “Do the next thing.” This was a mantra of Elizabeth Elliot, and I want to be one who is not full of self pity but one who redeems the time and opportunities I have now in front of me! Finally, I think of Proverbs 31:25 “She can laugh at the days to come.” I know God is in charge and He is taking care of me for my good and for His glory!
If you had to share one of the biggest blessings of living a life of purity in singleness, what would you share?
The greatest blessing of living a life of purity while single is that it is pleasing to the LORD. HE is the audience of One that I live to please, and I want my actions and conduct to bring Him glory.
Do you have a Scripture passage that has been like an anchor of truth for you?
Psalms 37:3-7 has been my favorite passage to turn to throughout the years as a foundation of Truth to anchor my heart to.
“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this; He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”