Character building.

You can't really tell but I am drenched!! And smiling!

I woke up to dark skies and the rain tapping on the deck outside. It was 6:30am.  I just received my morning forehead  kiss from Andy as he departed for work. Then I hear my good morning wake up call from my son, Austin, as he was getting into the shower, "Get up MOM". I thought who needs an alarm clock when you have this. 
I grumbled in my head and listening to the rain I continued to grumble more as I  remembered I had a Running Date with "Katie." UGH...Rain, Wet and Cold.

I secretly waited by the phone waiting for "Katie" to cancel. Through breakfast, making beds and getting the kids off to school my phone NEVER rang.   I gathered my gear and remembering what I learned on those "survivor" shows and  grabbed some dry cloths to put on after my run.
"Katie" and I met at our usual place and drove out to Indian Springs Metro park. It was still raining. Without any more whining I adjusted to the idea of a "Rain Run" I thought to myself,  "Katie is watching my response to the weather, If I am a fair weather runner I may as well be a phony." The foliage was so green it looked majestic. The rain was coming down romancing us. Soft and rhythmic, . like God himself was singing to us. It was not cold at all. It was 64 degrees and perfect. Everything was perfect. We were even entertained by frogs and toads dancing around our sneakers throught our 8 mile trail. This Rain Run was my favorite run of the season. And to think I entertained the idea of staying home.

Romans 5:3 "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,"

"Nice Job: Eh just builds character! Way to keep keepin on!" This was a comment on a run this week where I was whining. We miss out on so much when we quit or do not follow through. By digging our heals in and reminding ourselves that alone we can not find the strength or the will but with Christ we are strengthened, prepared and awaiting victory.  God does not promise an easy road. But through adversity we do build character. The adversity of a challenging run is parallel to life. We can no more predict the weather than we can predict what the following day holds for us. But as we Build our relationship with Christ we are preparing for whatever comes our way. We are challenged daily with obstacles and diversions. It is our response and reaction to this that either builds us up or tears us down. As I wrestle with my mind I have to remind myself alone I am WEAK. But I do not want to be alone. So with God supplying my nourishment and strength I know I can conquer all those obstacles. Because he designed me to do so WITH HIM...And each struggle, each trial, each heartache I am growing. I am Learning, I humbly allow God to build me, break me and build me again.
1 Peter 5:10 "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you" 

Anita