Sometimes you have to run Alone

I did a 10k this morning, I used to run regularly but haven't since last year...just walking. I'm out of "run" shape but NOT out of heart. I went to the race alone. No cheering squad and no one waiting for me at the finish line.

I had to walk...a lot. I couldn't run the whole thing. Naturally, I've got nothing but my thoughts...and time. I was sad to know there wouldn't be anyone waiting for me at the end. There was no one personally cheering me on.

I was running this race anyway. It was a fluke actually...unexpected. Someone just gave me the race entry the other day--I was unprepared but chose to do it.

You know--this pretty much sums up my life right now. Maybe yours too? We didn't PLAN to run this race we're in. We're running it alone. But guess what...you, we, can run it alone. There's still a finish line. Maybe, most of us were out of shape too---out of spiritual shape, out of life shape and completely UNPREPARED for what this race entailed.

But guess, what? You are going to finish. No matter what...the path you're on HAS a finish line! It's ok if you are running it alone right now. I KNOW you don't want to be alone...you want that cheering squad and we ALL want someone special waiting for us at the end of the finish line too.

STAY in the race! Because we/you are IN it. You're running it right now so DON'T say 'you can't' because YOU ARE! Keeping pushing forward. If you keep pushing forward it will be impossible to NOT get to that finish line!

It's ok that you were unprepared...God has prepared you along the way and the longer you are in the race...the farther you are from the starting point...and closer to the end! Some people will be faster and more ahead of you...and some people will be slower and behind you. Press forward and encourage those behind you.

STAY in the race!!!
*I* will cheer you on! ♥

The Real Strength of a Mother

The strength of a mother can run 13.1 miles, struggle and push through. She can cross that finish line and yet..see her hungry baby waiting, then present her own body to nourish that child.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Cor 9:24

The strength of a mother will hold back the tears of her own hurting heart to comfort and wipe away the tears of her hurting child.

 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. Psalm 126:5

The strength of a mother, will teach her children how to dance and sing when she feels the sorrow wanting to take over her soul.

The young women will dance for joy, and the men—old and young—will join in the celebration. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing. Jer 31:13

The strength of a mother will stand and hold her 25 lb toddler on her hip with one arm, while lifting the other arm in praise.

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. Psalm 134:2

Tuesday

It has been SUCH a peaceful day today. (completely different from *yesterday* which was one frustrating situation after another!) Today was my early day. Got up & got ready, baked a light breakfast for the kiddos and was on my way to school. It was scheduled to rain...it looked like it was going to pour at any moment but it only lightly drizzled. It was perfect homemade scarf weather!

My first class is my creative non-fiction class and I really love the professor. Just adore her. She runs her class so well. It's always a bonus when you have classmates who are great writers as well. In between classes I have been utilizing the campus rec center. It's awesome and such a great perk. I wish I could have used it sooner...it just never worked out with my schedule.

This semester though, I have one and two hours breaks between classes each day. Today was my one hour break. I've only been using the indoor track but it's enough for now. I try to rush on over since I only have an hour and the time passes quickly. I've gone back to actual running, even though it's a super short distance, only a mile. I don't have time for more since it takes me about 10 minutes to just GET to the rec center, then I have to change, load up my locker, stretch a little then run. A little time after to stretch and cool down, then back to the locker room to change and then back across campus to class. Which by the way, have I mentioned HOW MANY stairs this campus has? Remind me again WHO's idea it was to build a university ON a HILL? haha.

The rec center is filled with various work out machines, ellipticals, stair climbers, treadmills, stationary bikes, free weights and weight machines as well as other various pieces of work out equipment. Maybe one of these days I will climb on something and get busy. haha. For now though, I simply use the track.

Today when I left the rec center--I was greeted by very cool, fresh air. It felt so refreshing. I was still warm so it wasn't even cold but refreshing. It made me smile. Then, right before I got to class I ran into a classmate from last semester. She was one I had hoped to see in class this semester but haven't. I was happy to run into her. I hope I see her again--before graduation!

My second Tuesday class is a little frustrating to me. I am having a better attitude about it though. It's only 12.5 weeks more to endure and do well. Then the great CELEBRATION.

I keep my eye on that GRADUATION prize. I am so excited!!!

After class, I walk to my bike, ride it to my car, then I am on my way home. Yep. I use three modes of transportation, at once, to get to school. That makes me laugh.

Home was peaceful. Middles had their school work finished, the living room was tidy and they were watching this very addictive series on Netflix. Everyone was calm in their spirits and that was nice and relaxing.

I already had dinner planned so it was easy to produce with enough left overs for tomorrow's lunch.

I hope this fresh peace will continue.

Source: etsy.com via Katy on Pinterest

tion: underline;">etsy.com via Katy on Pinterest

Fresh Priorities

New Year's is such a special time. Everyone feels like it's an opportunity to start fresh. Reflect and reevaluate our lives. What worked? What didn't? What can we change, improve, let go, add more of etc. blah, Blah, BLAH!!!

Here are some great links to check out that I think are fabulous! It's truly about priorities and creating a life that will have an impact, right?

The reason I've specifically chosen the links below is because they are the type of plans and guides that can basically be picked up and started right where you are, regardless of the day or date. No need to play catch-up or think you can't start if it isn't exactly Jan 1st. You can start at ANY time.

What are you waiting for? Get started! :-)

First, I think prayer is the number one life changing act we can participate in, on a daily basis. As wives, it is our responsibility and privilege to lift up our husbands in prayer *daily*.  Here is a free printable prayer guide I absolutely LOVE. You pray each day of the month and then repeat the next month. If you like to write and keep logs you might enjoy this free printable prayer journal that goes along nicely with praying for your Mr.

Children are not forgotten. As mothers, the same obligation applies. And really, what mother DOESN'T call to God each day? Sick kids, explosive diapers or vomit, rainy-stuck-in-the-house-for-3-days anyone?

Here is a free printable prayer calendar of virtues to pray each day for your children. This one is just slightly different and basically the same but I wanted to give you the option.

I print out these calendar pages and store them in my One Year Bible. I LOVE my OYB. Seriously! It makes reading through the Bible so easy. Just start where you are and keep going. Next year, just start over. Personally, having grown up in church, I found it took a good year just to get everyone else's opinions and sermons out of my head while reading. It was so worth it though. Even if you don't have a OYB you can still follow the reading plan. Guess what? There's a free One Year Bible printable schedule for that too!

Of course, decluttering your soul will probably lead to a desire to declutter your life. So here's a link for that too.

This is a great link. A FREE calendar with tasks to do each and every day of the year to keep you DECLUTTERED and on track to enjoying the space you call home. It's absolutely FREE!
A decluttered environment allows creativity to flow freely, thinking to be clear, peace and tranquility.

Hahahaha! Of course NOT! For some reason my mind thinks staying fit is NO fun & lots of boring hard work. However, staying ACTIVE always sounds like fun. I try to avoid *exercise* as much as possible in this life. Honest. But I DO love riding my bike, a lot. I love the outdoors, hiking and {wistful sigh} I even used to love running. I'm not making any promises...but I am determined to be a better pet owner and walk my dogs regularly this year. So far so good!

If you do want to start running, and trust me, you won't regret it, this is the best beginner plan. Really. Hey! No pressure though.

While we're at it....why not create your very own customizable Owl themed calendar? Use card stock to print each months page. Then use a large file clip to hold them together. Flip the ends of the clip upwards to use as a hook to hang on a nail. Easy peasy!

You are beautiful. You are going to have a fabulous year, I just know it! Don't be afraid any longer. You can do this. Relax and CREATE something beautiful. 

What's the Goal, anyway?

I always have a goal in mind when I go out to run. A certain amount of time or distance. I often get frustrated & discouraged by my lack of reaching the goal. Sometimes I lower my standard & settle on a lesser goal. For example, for this half marathon, I remind myself I can always *walk* it. I don't really need to run because I am not in it to win. I have lowered my personal goal dramatically.

If I was really in it to win, I would not so easily give up or lower my standard, right? So in this life, who's goal is it? Are we lowering our standards to accomplish our own goals? OR are we keeping the goal & finish line in sight as we run God's race?

I know the spirit of competition is often seen in the negative in Christian circles. But why? We *want* to win or earn the *prize* don't we? Oh...but we are supposed to be serving God selflessly, right? Admit it, do we or do we not want to hear God tell us, in that day of judgment; "Well done, my good and faithful servant." ?

There is a huge difference when you are running the race to finish & when you are running to WIN! When you run to win you give over and above what you may believe you are capable. You push yourself to train harder & faster. Always wanting to move forward & show improvement. You feel disappointed if you take a step backward in your training. You take special care of what enters your body because you know it is your fuel. You want to be able to perform to an optimum in the best health.

If you are training simply to finish...well then it does not matter if you are slower one day to the next. It does not matter if you are too tired to run. If you feel discouraged, there is no motivation to push through. We do not pay as much attention tow hat we put in our bodies, we don't expect to be in tip top shape. You already know you are going to finish. It does not matter how you finish.

Do you think Olympians train w/ the goal of getting the Bronze medal? Of course not! They train for the Gold. Their goal is to be #1!

I think in our Christian lives, many times our attitude is simply to finish this life. Where is the motivation to excel? Our life is not just a race...I believe it is God's race. He encourages us to run as if we are going to get the prize, even though we know only ONE gets the prize. We are here not only to serve, but to serve in the most excellent way possible. Pushing past the obstacles and the discouragement. Taking care how we treat our 'temple' & what we allow to enter it. Next time you feel like indulging, practice extra self control. Next time you feel like slowing down, push a little faster instead. See what happens....

1Cor 9:24

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Predictable obstacles

I took another training run today. I realized @ a certain point in my route, I always feel like stopping. I feel like it's too hard & I just can't keep up the pace. It seems to be in a predictable spot in my route. I don't really know why it happens @ that particular spot but it does.

Life can be like that sometimes too. A predictable obstacle comes along & we want to stop! The route seems too hard to continue. Something triggers us & we *think* we just.can't.go.on! If we can recognize these predictable triggers--can we do something about them? Is there something in our life that we keep bumping into that is holding us back from staying on God's path? A trigger? A wound, sin, unresolved issue?

While running I know sometimes I have not prepared my body for the task @ hand. It's a familiar route, it's not a distance or run I have not taken before. SO why the struggle? Am I dehydrated? Jesus is the living water. Just like I need to have proper hydration through out the day, I need to have proper spiritual hydration as well. More when it is especially hot or dry outside...equals more when we are in living *heat* or dry spiritual weather.

Did I stretch, before or after? We must flex & stretch our spiritual muscles in preparation & afterward to avoid injury. It takes time & we might feel limited in our time but it is SO important.

About that route we're taking....who's route is it anyway? Is it the route we are supposed to be on? Did we choose an easy one when we should be challenging ourselves on a harder course? Am I running flat trails when I need to be on hills to be properly prepared for the race? We have to look @ the course map to know what ther ace entails & how to properly train. We must make sure we are on the route God wants us on or we're wasting our time.

to be continued...