The Little Engine who COULD!

 Today we are training our Mind. Training ourselves to Persevere. To Not Give up no matter what the load we are carrying.

"I think I can, I think I can..." The famous words of "The Little Engine Who Could". This is a story that many of us shared with our parents as children. A story of Motivation and Determination.

As a runner this story of the little engine has become part of my framework. I have never thought of myself as a big powerful fright train..More like a little engine.

I have always been the under dog or the side kick. 

I chose running or running chose me as a way to escape. A way to cope and deal with my baggage..or like the little engine my cargo.

Many of us have cargo that we are carrying around.
My cargo that I was lugging was not like The Little Engine. It did not contain toys or a bed of goodies.
The freight that I was hauling included past failures, disappointments, hurts and hardships I had been carrying from a child all the way to an adult. My cargo contained not just my baggage from a child but also from a daughter, a wife and a mother. 

As a child of an alcoholic I had many haunting memories and mistakes.
As a wife I carried that load into our marriage.
As a mother I found myself duplicating the mistakes my mother had made.

I learned to run. I found great solace in running. I felt God embracing me in my surroundings.
I heard God calling me in my quiet place. Whispering to me to keep going.

"I think I can I think I can..."
One mile at a time I continued to increase my distance. With my miles accumulating I felt more and more free. My load was getting lighter...Or maybe my load was transforming.

The load I carried was burdensome and the more I sought God for Strength and Encouragement the more I noticed I started carrying a cargo of Love, Forgiveness and Gratitude.

God started putting goals in my heart. He began to push me farther than I ever thought I could go.
God believed in me...just a little engine.

In 2010 after a long 3 hour run..for no reason but to just run, God whispered in my ear to run a Marathon and try and qualify for Boston.

This was ludicrous. I had never ran a marathon. I was not trained or equipped. I was just a pipsqueak.
I prayed about it and decide I was going to go for it. I ran Chicago Marathon in 2010.
And almost unheard of I qualified for BOSTON.

He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength. Isaiah 40:28

 "I knew I could, I knew I could." Said the "Little Engine".

Many of us are carry cargo that is burdensome and discouraging. The load is too much for us to Persevere forward with out wanting to quit.
One step at a time we seek God and his power and his strength he will remove the load we think we should carry and he will supply us with the load that will lead us to success and a victorious life.
May I encourage you to not give up. Keep pushing forward listening for Gods direction in your life.

1. What Burden are you Carrying?
2. Are you feeling overwhelmed in a area and want to quit?

Just Remember the "Little Engine Who COULD."
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Please Check out the other 15 Bloggers in our Series "5 Days of Intentional Living".

 CONTEST: At the end of the 5 Day Series if you have commented on the questions on all 5 days I will send out a care package that will be related to health and fitness.

RULES:

You HAVE to be a subscriber to the blog.

You have to answer or comment on the post. 

At the end I will contact you to receive your address.

IF by chance there are more than 5 participants I will Draw 3 names. 

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 Rundown
Miles: 3 Easy, The Mothership (GAC Track)
Great Run with "Paula".

Anita