5K

A few weeks ago I ran my very first 5K.  I have walked in charity ones before but never raced in one. 

I tried to run track in junior high.  I'm pretty sure my coaches still remember me.  And not because I am from a crazy small town, but because I spent more time complaining about running than actually running.  I was terrible at everything.  It was obvious that I couldn't sprint, so they had me try high jump and long jump.  Nope, couldn't jump either.  I eventually ended up with the 800m and relays of course, where other people who were fast could make up for my slowness. 

I distinctly remember the time I actually got a ribbon in the 800m.  It was the only individual ribbon I earned.  There was a girl right behind me so I had to go all out at the end, but I squeaked by with a 6th place ribbon.  I remember my coaches at the finish line cheering me on and giving me a hug as I collapsed into their arms after I had crossed the finish line.  I didn't realize what great coaches they were until recently.  They did not discard me and only pay attention to those athletes that they knew would succeed.  They cared enough about the person inside to devote part of their time to someone they knew they would never reap any benefits from.  That's what makes a great coach.

All that for you to see how pathetically bad I was at running.  I said in an older post that I have devoted my running time to God.  Well, it's amazing what God can do when you surrender a part of your life to him.  Galatians 5:22-23  But what happens when we live God's way?  He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard--things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity.  We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people.  We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

In the 5k I placed 51st out of 504 people in my age group.  I placed 478 out of over 4,000 people.  My time was 26:39:1.  I don't really know if that is good or bad, but I don't really care.  I had so much fun and I don't want to obsess over my time.  My friend, Erin, asked me what I want to do now.  Am I going to work on running faster or farther?  Neither.  I plan on continuing to love running 3 miles a day however fast God leads me to run that day.  Because running to me is about spending time with God, not about being the best or the fastest.

Hope, riches, and power.

These verses have been speaking to me lately.  Each time I look at them, I walk away with a renewed spirit to do His work each day.

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.  Ephesians 1:18-19

Hope that's just waiting for us to realize it's there.  And power...great power!  Friends, when He calls us to something, He will provide everything.  All we have to do is believe.

Right now, I pray these words for my church.  That we may be enlightened to know the hope which he calls us to.  That we lean on His great power and not our own.  That we replace worry and fear with hope and love.  That we believe God will provide these things for us.

Proverbs 7:3

As I go through my daily Bible reading, many times there are verses that speak to me or just a new understanding that I gain.  However, something that seemed so clear to me one day easily fades over time.  This is an effort to remember those things and "write them deep within my heart."

King Solomon who was granted wisdom by God himself could not resist the temptation of sin.  Wisdom is important, but it is not everything.  We are called to study His word and hide it in our hearts, but most importantly we are called to love.  Matthew 22:37-38  Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself."  To love God and through Him love our families and friends, love our church, love strangers and enemies.  Because (1 Corinthians 13:2) if I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing.  Nothing.....

Father,  Please don't let me go through my life as nothing.  Fill me up with your unending love so that I can share it with others.  So that I can be a better wife, a better mother, a better friend, a better church member, and a better witness for you.  Please speak to my church as we go through a difficult time.  Help us to share with others and grow, but most importantly help us to love.  Love our pastors, love each other, love our community.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Small Victory

Each night, I wait until my husband is home so I can go for my jog.  Well, the other night he had a softball game to play.  I could either skip my run or do it with BubbaJ in the jogging stroller.  Because I'm pretty stubborn, I opted to go and push the extra weight.  I actually made it all three miles!  Yes, I'm pretty pumped:)

Running with God

I love running!!!  And I hate running!  There are days when I can't wait for my husband to get home so I can lace up my shoes and hit the pavement.  Then, there are days when it's all I can do to peel myself off the couch to go out.  Either way, I can't do it without God by my side.

I don't know about all those people who have always loved to run, but for me there is a moment in every run where I begin rethinking why I went.  The thing that gets me through that is God.  Because I know that alone I am powerless, but with God I can do anything.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13

I don't listen to music when I run.  There is so much going on in my life every day.  If the kids aren't attacking me with questions or needs, then my husband can't find something or supper needs made.  When I started running, I decided that I wanted it to be about me and God.  No music, no kids, no distractions.  Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10.  My runs are spent pondering the days activities, wondering what tomorrow will bring, and allowing God to pull it all together for me.  He reminds me that His glory, His agenda, and His will in my life are that really matters. 

When I get home, I feel so good!  I feel better about my health and my weight.  And everything has been put into perspective.  I can come home and love my kids and husband because God has filled me up with His love while I was gone.

Father, Thank you for being so faithful.  For always being there.  I know there has never been a moment in my life when you weren't there.  I'm so grateful for the love that you so freely give.  Without it, I would not be able to be the mother and wife that I am.  May all the glory be yours.  In Jesus Name, amen.

Mothers of Boys

I have recently developed a new respect for the mothers of boys.  I always knew that boys have lots of energy and run around way more than girls do, but learning that through experience has given me a whole new perspective.  It's like BubbaJ is just a ball full of energy just bursting to get out. 

The other day I put him on the trampoline and he just ran around and threw his arms in the air and jumped like a crazy person.  When I take him to the back yard, he runs around in circles like he has been cooped up all day(which he has not).  You would think at the end of the day he would be completely exhausted and ready to sleep, but nope.  He does not like to be in his crib where he is not free to let loose of his seemingly unending energy. 

I always respected my mother-in-law, but having a son has opened my eyes to some of what she went through raising three boys.  I just know that BubbaJ is exactly what my husband was like when he was a kid.  He still has oodles of energy and always smiles.  He half-runs everywhere he goes.  I'm not sure he even knows how to walk.  BubbaJ has also inherited his dad's stubbornness, um, I mean, dedication to his own opinion. 

To me, all of this means that God is going to refine me in so many ways through BubbaJ.  I'm sure I will question everything I have ever done as a parent.  BubbaJ has already reminded me that God is my source of strength.  I'm scared and excited to see all the things God has in store.  I pray that in the end I help BubbaJ as much as he helped me.

Customer Loyalty Anyone?

Whatever happened to companies that cherish their loyal customers?  Today, it pays to hop around from company to company.  It does not make sense to me.  Companies are willing to work so hard to get your business, but then they penalize you for being a long-time customer.  We recently received a bill from XM radio which we have on Bubba's vehicle.  For a year it was going to be approximately $190.  He decided to cancel because he didn't want to pay that much, so he called them up.  Immediately the guy on the phone offered to give him the year for around $80.  That is less than half what the original bill was!!!  Simply on principle he turned them down.  We went through this not long ago with Terminex.  If our business is so precious to you, shouldn't you be giving us the best deal possible instead of encouraging us to leave?  Could someone please explain this to me?