I Found Him In Running

 

I first started running to stay in shape, but instead, I found God.

 

He chose running to be one of the the places he revealed himself to me. In our quiet time together, on my feet, the God of my family and friends became my God.

It was on the runner's path that my relationship with God became intimate.

We developed a friendship which grew bigger than church and became deeper than it had before I hit the pavement.

 

 

Hebrews 12:1

 ....And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

 

 

Life Is A Marathon

It was my first marathon.

I had never ran 26.2 miles.

I began the race full of excitement that I was taking on this challenge.

And I had a stomach full of butterflies!

I was completely new to such an experience, but I had my cousin was running it with me.

A half marathon was more familiar to us and I knew it would be the easiest part of the race.

 

This first 6 miles was just the warm-up.

At mile 10, realization finally set in when the half-marathoners split off to the right and we kept straight.

There was no going back.

This is also when I lost my cousin.

I knew I would not be able to locate her in the massive pack that continued like a stampede.

I looked forward and kept running, realizing I was now going at this alone...

(But I was not going at it alone.)

At mile 15 a surprising unassurance came over me. I knew that my body would carry me to mile 20, but could I run the last 6.2 miles? At the steady pace I was carrying?

Up ahead of me I noticed a group of guys running together, one of them holding a sign.

It was a pace group.

Pace groups are there if you want to finish at a certain time.

I thought, 'Oh! there is the 4 hour 30 minute pace group.'

But my eyes had deceived me, as I etched closer the sign's numbers stood out as if it were a neon sign in the dark..

4:00 estimated finish.

...Whawhat?!

Umm...

Should I slow down?

Two things went streaking through my head:

1. I had extremely underestimated my ability to run the race at this pace.

                                                                                          Or

                                          2. At mile 20 I would fall over and be left for the buzzards.

26.2 Verses to Run With

I wish this was an original idea, but I stole the idea from another runner's blog..but I just had to share. It seemed pretty fitting, with all my nerves and excitement for the big Marathon on Sunday!

 

I wish I could tattoo all of these on my arm!... or maybe have it going through my headphones after each mile. I have highlighted a few of my faves.

 



 

Mile 1: Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of age. Matthew 28:20

Not Just a Good Book

Have you ever realized you are avoiding someone or something with the fear of facing a hard truth? It is like steering clear of a scale, because you might not like what it will read when your feet hit it. The real truth is I discovered...it is there, the weight (the hard truth) whether you choose to acknowledge it or look away. It will hit you, hard, even if you try to avoid it.

I recently watched "Book of Eli" with Denzel Washington. It is such an incredible movie. I highly recommend it for a time when you are wanting to watch something with substance.

Stop here if you have not seen the movie...

The Only Comfort I Can Give



As I sat there, in the hotel room with my friend who was suffering unbearable pain, I was at a loss for words. All I wanted to do was take away the pain. But I truly know I cannot do it, not alone at least. I alone cannot provide the comfort that He can.

I would not say life has been rainbows and butterflies, but I have been fortunate to not know the feeling of losing someone close to me, especially a parent.

Friday when I got the news that my sweet friend's dear father had passed, unexpectedly, I might add..was crushing. I was completely and utterly heartbroken.

Coincidently and devastatingly that is my second friend to lose their dad in a two month span...almost to date.

...and this special friend, also lost her grandfather, exactly three weeks ago.

That is when I start to ask, why God?!

I know life isn't easy, but I wished with all my being, I could soak up the pain for her. I would almost rather be hurting myself, than WATCH a friend suffer.

I feel tested.

How do I give comfort.

In these times of trials. I am learning.
.....

Notes In The Sand

I am training for a marathon, that will take place at the end of February. I have been slacking in all areas of my life, including this blog.... because running, well... it plum wears you out!

 

Still, I have to find a healthy balance.

 

Running is a passion of mine. And it also has become an outlet. It is a time to release all my worries through the pounding of my feet on the old country roads.

My mom, one of the most beautiful women in my life, is the reason I am hooked on running...

She is my inspiration.

This is my first big race without her. Which makes it bittersweet.
Excited for this challenge, but wanting so very much to share it with her!

However, she has been included by being my encourager.

Yesterday my cousin (who is running the marathon with me) and I went for our long run.
 

My mother while leaving us fuel (oranges and water), down one of our running paths, left us this note in the sand for us to stumble upon....

 

(I will run and not grow weary...Isaiah 40:31)

And this one....

You Have A Choice (The 5th Card)

I was going to post something different today, but this was sent to me this morning.

It is too inspirational not to share immediately.

you will be astonished by this incredible human being.

 

 

 

I, myself, wonder sometimes why I have been dealt certain cards...a few years ago I let it burden me almost every day.

Little Women

It was a white Christmas, one of those days to sit by the warm fire and dive into a book. But I decided to watch a movie instead...a nostalgic one, bringing back memories of my childhood.

 

Little women.

 

If you have never seen Little Women, (I prefer the Wynona Ryder version) it captures the lives of four sisters from childhood to womanhood. Like young girls do, their girlish selves long to be women one day, married, perhaps with careers or possessing great wealth. Time finds them, ten years later. And with that time, comes change. No longer shall they sit by the window of their playroom dreaming of what will become.Women they have became. I always relate to Jo March, the second oldest. Now Jo, the independent sister, ready to take on the world, finds herself longing and yearning for the days where their child ways belonged.

 

"Why should we marry at all? Why can't things just stay as they are?".



I find myself being taken over by The Peter Pan Syndrome, wanting things to stay as they were when I was a young girl. Playing on the beach with my mom, six years old, staring off into the blue ocean , without a care...

A Few of My Favorite Things--Reflection on 2012

Here are a few of my favorite things from 2012.

Favorite Day.

 January 10.

The birth of my second niece, Aubrey Bell.

Too Busy for God (Part 2) "The Story"

Too Busy For God 

(Be sure to read Part 1 first)

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.

In his opening address he said,

"We can't keep Christians from going to church."

"We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth."

"We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their savior."

"Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken."

"So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.."

"This is what I want you to do," said the devil:

"Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining
that vital connection throughout their day!"

"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.