Skip to main content

My First Run in (Some) Rain

"Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying."
Romans 12:12

I enjoyed two new experiences this morning. The first, running in a little bit of rain! It didn't rain much, just sprinkled throughout my jog, but it was so refreshing! It may be cooler at 5:45 a.m. than later in the day, but it still gets pretty warm out there. God knew just what I needed to make it through and the light rain was such a blessing!

I also increased my mile pace by a full minute. I felt near death and was sure I wasn't going to make it, but it was so worth it when my Endomondo Sports Tracker let me know that my average pace was 13:15, when it usually sits around 14:25! Needless to say, I WAS EXCITED!

I know a 13-minute mile is nowhere near anything grand to most of the world, but to me, it was amazing! It was most exciting because I realized I don't need other people to be impressed. God pushed me through that 13-minute mile and I know He's just as proud of me as I am!

To get through my jogging intervals, I usually pray about extremely personal things that are so hard to confess and ask for help, that they take my mind off of my physical struggle.

This morning was a kicker: patience with my kids.

All parents go through this, right? There's only so many days you can listen to whining and deal with attitude. I want so desperately to not lose my own temper and to react with grace and love, especially with my children, but it can be hard. 

I've had an especially hard week dealing with separation anxiety from my infant and attitude from my preschooler. And while I'd love to say that I always react in a Godly matter, that would be a lie. So, when I started my first 1.5 minute jog this morning, God immediately laid on my heart to pray for my reactions. 

When the whining starts, take a deep breath and give her the love and affection she needs.

When the attitude starts, take the time to explain that feelings of frustration are okay, but talking back and losing our temper is not. 

And even if she whines and he loses his temper, let them know God still loves them and so do I.

And it hit me then.

God is saying the same thing to me. 

Even when I whine, complain, and lose my temper, God still loves me too. 

So Romans 12:12 gives me hope, when I feel like I'm at the end of my rope at the end of my day. 

I can rejoice and be confident in hope.

I can teach them through these struggles and let God improve me in the process. 

I can be patient in this struggle because God has been patient with me.

And most of all, I can keep on praying.

When she whines as I leave the room? KEEP ON PRAYING.

When he loses his temper and talks back? KEEP ON PRAYING.

When I feel the urge to scream or cry? KEEP ON PRAYING.

Because children learn by example, and what better example than taking my struggles to the Lord?

In the future, they will learn to do the same.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Even When I Run Away ...

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18 It's been over a year since I wrote in this blog. The past year has brought many life changes for our family. My husband returned from deployment and we packed up and moved across the country. I've had to adjust to a new home, a new school for my son, a new church, and new friends ... New everything. I haven't written in this particular blog because it's always been my place to share about my running journey and how my relationship with God has matured through that quiet time with Him. But over the last year or so, I haven't really been running.  And I've felt further from God than I've felt in a really long time.  At the beginning of 2017, I slowly began running again. A friend and I signed up for a half marathon and despite the sometimes awful weather here, I haven't missed a training run yet. I began to feel like I was fin...
12 comments
Read more

Run Like a Princess!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up." Hebrews 12:1-3   It has been several months since I last posted, but that's mostly been because of lack of training! After my first half marathon in Pensacola in November, our family stayed busy with traveling, holidays, the flu, and abnormally cold weather for Florida. With the Disney Princess Half Marathon quickly approaching, I was filled with more dread than excitement. I knew I had...
1 comment
Read more

Your Will Be Done

"Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air." 1 Corinthians 9:26 A lot of things have happened for me, as far as running goes, the past few days. Sunday night, I beat my mile record by 5 seconds! I really tried to beat 8:30 but it just didn't happen. I finished in 8:52, but I was still so excited to pass 8:57! I haven't even come close since last year! I also dedicated myself to a 100km in June challenge! That's 62.137 miles! But more than the distance, that's 2 miles with God daily! On Sunday, I ran with my praise and worship music for the first time in a long time. My iPod has been dead and sometimes I enjoy it just being me, the road, and the Lord. But one song came on and touched my heart in particular.  "For all of this life Your Spirit ignites A heavenly fire Untouched by the night You opened our eyes Turned death into life Revealing all truth There's no on...
1 comment
Read more