Jogging With Jesus

  "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!" Ephesians 3:20-21 It's been exactly one year since we left Florida. I can't believe a year has already passed. It's been a roller coaster for sure, but as I reflect back over the last 365 days, I can see how faithful God has been. Even when my faith wasn't the strongest, and I seriously doubted, God provided every step of the way. When we first felt the stirrings, four years ago, that God was calling us to the Pacific Northwest, God said, "I have a plan for you." When we got our official orders, and the location was Washington, God said, "This is just a peek at things to come." When we struggled to sell our house, and we felt anxious and overwhelmed, God said, "Don't you trust Me?" ...

"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...

"I look up to the mountains -- does my help come from there? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!" Psalm 121:1-2 It's been 24 days so far. It's been a hard 24 days. Sometimes I feel like I'm drowning. I'm overwhelmed. I'm defeated. I feel like a failure. I feel alone. For 24 days, I've felt as though I'm barely hanging on. Some days it seems impossible to juggle all of the things I need to do.  I feel guilty for doing anything I actually want to do.  I finally semi-adjusted to being a full-time teacher and then our entire routine was flipped upside-down. Just 3 days later, we found out we're moving. Moving?! And not just moving ... But moving across the country. I've walked around in a state of shock for a couple of weeks now.  When anyone asks me how I feel about it, I don't know how to answer. Am I sad? YES! We've made a home here! We just...

"Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done." Psalm 105:1  Although this is supposed to be a "jogging" blog, my post today will not be about jogging. It will instead be about a huge blessing the Lord has given our family.  Around a year ago, Jack started preschool. We had him enrolled in a Christian preschool at a local Methodist church, and he absolutely loved it! His teachers were amazing, he had a great group of classmates, and most of all, Jack loved learning about God. He loved it so much, it was the first thing he asked his teacher at orientation. "When are we going to learn about God?" I have to take a moment here to explain something. I grew up in a small town in Arkansas and public school is all I've ever known. I even decided on a public university over a private Christian university when I attended college. My degree is in early childhood education and most of our emphasis wa...

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised." Proverbs 31:30 While perusing Facebook this evening, I read an interesting blog post. The title was "Why Christian Girls Post Seductive Selfies." It really got me thinking.  Where was this post when I was in high school? College? But even if it had been around, would I have read it? Listened? Heeded it's advice? Probably not.  I was that girl. Almost desperate for attention from the opposite sex, it reflected in the way I dressed and often in the way I acted. "Selfies" weren't what we called them, but I definitely knew how to take the "right" picture. I hear a lot these days that parents should control and monitor how their daughters dress/act/etc. And that's true, to an extent. Christian parents are judged and berated by other Christians for not "having a handle on th...

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:8-9 I know I've already written a blog post today, but I've had an epiphany.  Are you ready for it? Here it goes.  I. AM. NOT. PERFECT. Don't tell me you already knew that?  Okay, you did. And I knew it too.  I just haven't been living like it. You see, I have this problem. I have this tendency to try so very hard to be perfect ... and when I fail, because I always will... I condemn myself.  I feel defeated. I feel guilty. Why CAN'T I be the perfect wife? The perfect mom? The perfect daughter? The perfect sibling? The perfect friend? The perfect Christian? Oh that's right. I'm not God. And let's be honest, I have a head knowledge of that.  I know that realistically, I can...

"Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58 This has been an awesome week for me, as far as running goes! Last Wednesday, I ran a 5k on base and although I didn't PR on my 5k time, I DID PR on my 2 mile time! (18:57!) It was an extremely hot race, but I can tell that I'm slowly getting faster and stronger! While running, God brought Isaiah 40:31 to mind, "But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint!" It was just what I needed! Yesterday, I surprised myself AGAIN by breaking my 1.5 mile and 2 mile records! (13:11 and 17:51!) I almost threw up afterward, but I was pretty excited! The current training I'm doing is preparing me to pass an Army PT test. (No, I'm NOT joining the Army!) My goal was to run 2 miles in under 18 minutes and I did it! I've also started cr...