More Than the Average

The Letter "R"

 

 

 

RUN

 

Road Runners

Jenn, Andy and Ken at GAC. I met them all as a coach for a running club we started. "COACH" is used LOOSLY! We continue to run together 3 years later!

 

Hebrews 12:1

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

 

Some of the best therapy I get is putting on my running shoes and running the crazy down. I don't think I am much different than you. Life can really bog you down. Family, bills, personalities, work, and unfortunate circumstances tend to hold us hostage.

This week was no exception. I am very good at putting on a smile and getting through. But please don't mistake my smile for a life void of issues. I just fight very hard to not let them rule me.

This week, they were getting the best of me. Thoughts were entering my mind that had no room to live there. Terrible thoughts. I could make a joke out of them, I could even make you laugh if I worded them right. No matter how you cut it, they were Bad Bad Thoughts.

Thoughts that were entangling me. Hurting me.

 

I actually confessed my thoughts out loud. Have you ever wished you could suck your words back in? I not only shared them once, but twice. Only because I didn't like the response that I received the first time. SO why not shop around until I get the response I need, right?!

I struck out BOTH times.

This was MORE evidence I was entangled in sinking thinking. And it was holding me down.

 

It reminded me of my run this week outside. Now in Michigan it is below 0' degrees out. We have had warnings to NOT go outside. When I decided to run outside I wear LAYERS of clothing. Yes, I may be warm, However; I am weighed down. The layers are cumbersome and a nuisance. This makes for a very difficult run.

 

Stinking thinking and sin is the same way. It weighs us down. It haunts us, whispers at us and even screams at us. Yes, it is a warm place to go at times, except it is like a wolf in sheep's clothing.

 

WE are in a RACE. It is time to let things go that are hindering us from progress.

Then we must DIG DEEP, Persevere, and Not Give up.

 

Today I tweeted "Great things are not easily achieved, they take Prayer, Preparation and Perseverance."

 

1. Prayer: Asking God to Remove the things that are holding me down. To forgive me for my Stinking Thinking. Giving him Thanks for showing me, leading me and directing me.
2. Preparation: This is planning. Being intentional in my thinking, in my actions, and being aware of the "Cloud of Witnesses". My Running is always designed with a PLAN, why shouldn't my life be the same?
3. Perseverance: Tenacity, Words of POWER. This is the grit that makes you want to quit. It is NOT an option, get back up and run your race. You Can't QUIT. This world needs Tenacity. Even if you don't think it matters your perseverance matters to someone, I promise you.

 

The RUNDOWN:

Distance: 8 miles on the TM. Kept it at a 1% incline

Abs, stretch, roll,  and arms. ICE.

My plan is to get 40 miles+ this week. It should be interesting with the temps being stupid cold.

 

 

On a Personal Note:

Cloud of Witnesses: Funny, how I am able to look at my son as an inspiration to me. How does a 15 year old encourage a 41 year old? Humility? Austin has had a rough basketball year. It has not gone the way he thought it would have gone. They have lost more games than they have won. As a starter, he get's a lot of playing time but he still leaves feeling discouraged and defeated.

Austin doesn't let that break him though. He practices 7 days a week. Often 2 times a day. He works out, eats healthy, shoots every opportunity he gets. Even when you think he is in bed, you will find him doing his "5 minute workout".  

I see that boy red faced, sweaty and stinky. As I am on the treadmill, Austin's face flashes before me reminding me "If you want it bad enough you have to go the give more than the average".

 

 

What is Entangles you?
Do you struggle with Perseverance?

Who Inspires You?

 

Anita