"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you, Whom you have received from God? ... So use every part of your body to give glory back to God..." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Monday, August 8, 2022

"Wish we could..."

"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow you have to put up with the rain." 
Dolly Parton


It's been HOT. A stubborn sort of hot that won't let up, relentless to say the least. 
Today, was no different than it has been for the last week. 
The skies had opened up on me coloring the sky with a dark overcast. It felt like a game of mercy, who would be more mulish?
Today, was my "back-to-back" long run. 
Yesterday 20, today 15. 

With about 8 miles in, my clothes drenched and my chaffed skin burning, I came off of Elliott Rd. The sweetest older man was walking his aging dog down the driveway when our eyes met. 
I smiled in my suffering. And I was suffering! My legs were tired and sore, and my energy tank was on low fuel. 
"HI there!" I cheered up and greeted him. 
Very quietly the gentleman responded, "We miss running like that..." 
My heart melted. 
I smiled even wider, "It's Ok, You are doing what you are doing now and that's great!" 
Wednesdays super sweaty track workout. 

As I ran farther from him my thoughts drew closer and closer to his words. 
I was reminded of how gracious God has been to me. 
I was reminded of how God has redeemed me. 
I was reminded of how God has recovered me. 
I was reminded of how God has humbled me. 
I was reminded of how God has covered me. 
Loved me.
Been Faithful to me.
Been Patient with me. 
Been True to me. 

Here I was running. Today, I get to run. I get to feel soreness. I get to hear my breath panting. I get to taste the sweat as it drips heavily. 
I get to.  
My run is not anything spectacular by athletic standards but it is miraculous by the circumstances I have overcome. 
It is gracious and humbling. 
 
I ran for 2 1/2 hours with no music. I just prayed. 
I prayed for a voice louder than my own. 

The Lord is working even when we do not understand. 
Even when we do not see. 
Even when we do not feel like we deserve. 
Even when things look hopeless. 
Even when things do not make sense. 

Sometimes it is not only the sky that appears cloudy, it is the circumstances in our lives that look overcast. 
But today, I heard the words of an older gentleman to remind me that cloudy days come and go, suffering comes and goes, but we get to live it. 
There will be a day when we will "Wish we could..." 
And we will "miss" those days sooner if we don't embrace them as we have them. 

I want to live every day in such a way that no matter how ugly it might feel, I get to LIVE it out with gratitude. 
I get to live out loud loving myself and loving others. 
I get to live it out loud with grace, giving myself grace, giving others grace and allowing myself to receive God's grace above all. 


In other news: 

Austin got married this weekend!! It was beautiful!! I am still over the moon from the wedding. It truly is a dream come true. 
Growing up was such a mess for me.  Living with addiction is total chaos. I never believed I would have the life I have. I never believed it was real, it was something that only happened on TV. 
I would pray over Austin in tears. I knew I could control myself from being a alcoholic or a drug addict if I didn't use but I couldn't control what my kids did. 
I fervently prayed my kids would not be lured by addiction.  
And my dreams have come true in ways I never imagined. 
God gave Austin a beautiful God loving wife and God gave me a daughter. 
I am so blessed, so humbly blessed. 


So many days, I have struggled to see beyond my past circumstances. But I am reminded that God does not visit my past because he is to busy working on my future! 

Anita~

13 comments:

  1. You're such an inspiration...if I could push the way you do...wow! After a week of dragging, not sleeping good, aching n hurting. I see this! I'm trying...I know where to go to lift my spirits . I need to stop my own thoughts as they take me where I don't want to go n pull me down. I did pick back up a craft project I left undone since last year...that's huge. It keeps my thoughts calm! Ty for all you do...I'm always in ur court rooting for you πŸ’•πŸ™

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    1. Dear Anonymous, Girl, you trying! give yourself a pat on the back for trying! Then give yourself some grace. Sometimes we are so hard on our selves that we don't even try. We gotta crash the chatter inbetween our ears. You are to beleive YOU are enough! You are worth the work! You are!!

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  2. I needed to see this as well. This season I am in has been so extremely difficult. Over a year of some of the greatest challenges but also sprinkled with great joy. SO many changes I can hardly catch my breath. What a blessing to be able to be here though, feeling God’s smile and love even in the midst of the chaos

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    1. Dear anonymous, I am s sorry for your struggles. They are REAL, and sometimes the pain of our circumstances can scream so loud that it paralyzes us. We find ourselves "Stuck". Exhausted emotionally and physically we can't find the energy to MOVE. KEEP moving Girl! In the hardness of life's challenges, difficult relationships and painful choices. Find a place for YOU, because YOU have to be healthy to deal with life. Keep smiling, keep trying, and Trust God in it all!

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  3. You are such an inspiration Anita! Keep the faith girl!

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    1. Sharon, your encouragement means so much to me. Thank you for your kindness sis!

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  4. You are such a blessing to those of us who know you and genuinely love you!!! Anita, the spirit inside you glows on you !! Glory be to our Father!!! You inspire me!! I don’t run. But watching you , that’s such a blessing! Your endurance, your going through trials and pain and no excuse attitude is beautiful!! I love that your running with your faithful, spirited heart!! No matter any race your in…. Competitive, self affirming, prayer led, and even from the things that you fight…. Your already a WINNER! I love you!!! πŸ’•

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    1. I am smiling so big. Thank you. Your words are so powerful. WORDS bring LIFE. And your words are so edifying and encouraging. The Lord uses my running. It doesn't make sense to many, but I use it as a ministry. I want to point even my running back to JESUS. The Lord giventh and the Lord Taketh, and as Long as the Lord keeps filling my lungs with the passion to run I just want to Glorify HIM in it!!

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  5. Love this, thank you

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  6. AnitaπŸ’• Thank you for opening your heart and allowing God to share the Love, Blessings, Hope, Goodness, Fairh, Courage, Humility, Mercy and Grace He pours into the hearts of all who diligently seek Him! You are definitely an Inspiration and a thought-provoker as we grow in our relationship with God!
    Congratulations on your Son's Wedding! I have 3 grown Son's, who have blessed me with 3 Precious Daughters, so I know the Joy and Fulfillment you will be experiencing in the days and years to come!!
    L❤️VE YOU ANITA!!

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    1. Barbara Ersig

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    2. Barbara! I need more of you! I am so encouraged by your testimony of being a mother in law. I want to please the LORD above all as well as be the best MIL I can. I have no idea what I am doing. I know how to LOVE, and I am going to let that lead. But the truth is, girl...I could use some lessons!! I am grateful for such a precious daughter in law. I have read RUTH a few times now. I am moved by their love. Thank you again for such encouragement.

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