Battles Won

What a beautiful day for a race! Waking up to 55 degrees and not having to wear gloves, tights and a hat was an absolute dream for this tired-of-cold-dark-mornings runner. Prayer #1: answered. With all the runners this year, it took my pace group 8:45 minutes to even get to the start line. Luckily we were microchipped. It was elbow to elbow for most of the race, and I was thinking what a good girl I was for following the rules and not wearing headphones while several rule-breakers ran to their tunes. I've always had trouble keeping my blood sugar even during long runs but this time I ate a clif blok every two miles or so. It worked! Prayer #2: answered. The bike path was extremely packed with people so that slowed me down. I won't forget running that path with Jen 6 years ago and waving at our lovely husbands on their bikes on the highway, in the pouring rain. The dreaded hill came at mile 9, but I asked for perseverance. Prayer #3: answered. Miles 11 and 12 proved extremely difficult for me as my low ab and low back took on extreme cramping-the crippling kind. A running couple came upon me about that time and said, "we've been watching you the whole way. you can do it!". I nearly cried on the spot. "Lord, get me to the finish line. I just want to make it!". I crossed the finish in 2:17:30. Two and a half minutes faster than my goal this year. Prayers #4 and 5: Answered! The Lord watched over me and was with me for every stride, even when I wanted to lay down on the street it hurt so bad. And yes, I too cried at the finish; tears of joy, tears of mental battles won, tears of physical pain, tears of strained faith. I'm so glad for the faithful God I serve. He is the best running partner I could ever ask for.

Thought for the day...as I battle burn out from many weeks of training....

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you." II Cor 4:7-12

Two weeks to go until the Half. I can do all things through Him who gives me strength!

a new year

Having a quiet time in Maui is like sitting in a masterpiece of art created only by a God who knows true beauty, while the sound and scent of his creativity and glory swirl around with every brushstroke.

What a privilege to know my Creator this personally! He cares about me enough to meet me wherever I am, no matter what the current state of my heart. I love that about Him! I relish in the truth that He will never leave me or forsake me.

So, in this new year, no matter the trials and fears that I face, my God is big enough. He loves His children, He has a plan, and He will not let us be snatched out of His hand! Praise Him for that!

Season of hope

The seasons are changing. What happened to my lovely crimson maple leaves? They are but icy wet mulch on my front lawn now. So many people are talking about change recently. Rarely does a day go by that I don't hear or read that word in relation to weather, government, culture; you name it. I read a verse this morning that gripped me so.

"May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope." Romans 15:13 Amplified

I have hope in a Savior who brings real change. The question now is this: am I so enveloped in that hope that it spills out onto those around me? Wow! What a picture.

.

Gratitude in the chaos

I finally join the ranks of those who post their thoughts upon this site for all to see. Sometimes I feel as though I'm writing a book about my life inside my head. So why not post some of these thoughts, I asked myself?

Today is about sippy cups. My kitchen cabinet is being overtaken by the small plastic hydration vessels and I wonder if I will ever see my china and glasses again. Sometimes I feel like throwing them all out because of the chaos they bring to my cabinet. The lids, the plungers (that are supposed to keep the cups from spilling), and the various colors of plastics truly spill off the shelf-much to my chagrin. I try so hard to keep them organized! Then, a still small voice reminds me that I have so much to be thankful for. Including the reasons for owning these chaos cups: my two little blessings, Grace and Samuel. For them, I am overwhelmingly grateful. I'm wading through the chaos in my life as a mom of two young children and seeing just how much I need to enjoy the moments that God has so graciously given me during this busy season of my life.

Enjoy the chaos friends.