Wednesday, December 31, 2014

The Wind At My Back

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On this last day of the year, I went running. Baby, it's cold outside, and windy. It was so cold that after the first mile I ran home got my jacket and continued. My splits were amazing - today was my fastest 5k. I completed this run in 25 minutes.

During my run, my effort felt the same but because it was so windy, I was getting a much needed push. I didn't realize it until I heard my time. 2014 was an interesting year - to my mind my effort felt the same but my result may have been better than I anticipated because God had my back the whole time. He was there through all the twists and turns, sending His wind to keep me going. I wanted to go in to a malaise today, but this run made me realize that God is there. Even when I can't see Him, He is there. We just need to keep prayerfully seeking and living for Him and through Him we can do more than we can ask or think.

As you prepare for next year, drop the weight, worry and debt. Weight holds our bodies back, worry stifles our spirit, and debt makes us poor stewards. Run the race that you are called to run. Even if you don't know what your purpose is,  keep living and keep believing.

God's got your back.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Hebrews 12:1,2 [NLT]

Have a wonderful 2015.

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Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Things That Don't Have to be Perfect

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Perfection is an ideal that has many caught in its trap; it is an illusion that is unattainable.There's a false pride associated with trying to do everything to perfection which dulls the spirit and irritates many. As a parent I sometimes see my offspring place unrealistically high expectations on themselves (sometimes I wonder if I played a part in this); but be that as it may, I try to let them know that while it's OK to have goals it's crippling to be so hard on oneself.

In the spirit of dispelling the myth of perfectionism and for those of you that struggle with being perfect here's a list of things that don't have to be perfect:

a hairstyle
an outfit
a Christmas tree
Christmas cake or cookies
Decorations
a cover letter
a presentation
an interview
job performance
a report
a gift wrapped present
friendships
a meal - breakfast, lunch, or dinner
your children
your spouse
you!

What can you add to this list? Do you struggle with perfectionism?




I wanted to end this post with a scripture like I typically do, but I couldn't find the perfect one for this post. I was stuck. So instead of delaying this further, I decided to follow my own advice - this post doesn't have to be perfect either. I hope it gets the point across that most things do not have to be done to perfection to be worthwhile; and if you think of the perfect verse for this post, please share it with me.  Blessings.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Terrain

Ever run in to a goat while running?
Sometimes when I run the road is rough, sometimes it's hilly, and sometimes it's smooth. If I'm running the same route I always I know what to anticipate in terms of the terrain.  However if I'm running on a new route I never know what to expect.

Sometimes the terrain works with me and sometimes it doesn't.

It works with me when I'm going faster than I anticipated with minimal effort. This usually happens on a flat piece of land or if I'm going downhill.

It works against me when I'm going uphill or there's lots of crevices in the sidewalk. I have never had an easy time going uphill and don't think I ever will because hills aren't meant to be easy.

Life is analogous to the terrain we run. Sometimes it's hard and sometimes it's easy. As a runner, regardless of the terrain, because I know how to run I keep running.  We give it more effort when we're going uphill and coast when we are going downhill. We are more aware on uneven sidewalks but breathe more easily on smooth trails. We don't quit, we adjust. We are grateful for the downhills but just as grateful for the uphills.  The steep inclines really help us appreciate the down hills. When you've gone through a rough time, the fact is you have gone through and are grateful to have made it to the other side. As a runner, how I make it to smooth terrain is almost irrelevant. Being able to pump my arms, breathe and whisper to myself "you can do it," gets me to smoother terrain. 

If we can do this while running, we can do this as we face various challenges in life. For the longer you are in the is race the more experience you gain in navigating the terrain.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)
Don't quit; keep doing what you have been trained to do.