Encouragement

Yesterday, I planned on going for a run. I thought about it the night before and scheduled it in my mind. As the morning wore on, I began to talk myself out of going. Finally, I just said "Right, no matter how hard or painful it is to get out the door, I have to go". I got up, got dressed, got Christian in the stroller and proceeded out the door.

As I approached the wooden gate at the end of our front garden, an older gentleman who was walking by, stopped and opened the gate for me. It was such a small gesture but was so encouraging! It was as if, God was saying "I know how hard this is for you, so let show you I'm taking care of you."

I ran to my "half-way" point and when I turned around to head back, I got an extra pat on the back from God. A little Indian woman was getting off a bus. As soon as our eyes met, she started smiling at me. It's nice to see someone smile at you, especially when you live in a large city where often times you feel invisible. While passing her, she spoke to me. She said, "Keep it up! That's great exercise!"

Starting this running program has been so difficult for me. There has been such a dread in my stomach each time I think of what I have to do. These little acts of kindness were so needed. They meant so much and those people will never know how they lifted my spirits. They might not even know they were sent by God, but I know.

"But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. I was crying to the LORD with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah." Psalm 3:3-4

Easy Street? (part 1)

"Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I've warned you of them many times; sadly, I'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites." Philippians 3:17 (The Message)

I am sharing my journey towards commitment with you. I know many people start out wanting a deeper relationship with God or being physically fit in order to honor Him. Then somewhere along the way, they get discouraged or lost and they stop. I don't have all the answers. I don't have all the inspiration in the world but I will run with you.

I only began making a serious lifestyle change when I was 33 years old. Before then, I was truly under the impression some people were born to be athletes and I was not one of them. My road to healthy living started slowly. As I gained abilities, my confidence grew and I sat specific goals to reach each week.

When I was young, running was something I only did if I was in danger but at the age of 35 I aspired to become a runner. Setting goals was extremely important for me. Each objective kept me motivated and the experience fresh. A new desire meant a new plan to see to fruition. Nothing came about unless I planned, got off the couch and worked hard.

On my 40th birthday, I reached my ultimate goal. I ran 26.2 miles by myself. I did not run in a proper marathon. There were no other runners, music or crowds of on-lookers. Very few people knew of my intention. I can honestly say this was the hardest thing I've ever acheived. It was only by the grace of God that I finished. Mentally, the discouragement I threw at myself was the biggest obstacle I had to overcome.

Several months later, I completed the Army 10 Miler in Germany. It was a much different experience. There were other runners, family and friends. I ran beside a woman from Houston and we encouraged each other every step of the way. We paced ourselves. Even though we were some of the last people during the first few miles, we didn't get discouraged. We knew a secret. We knew that there were many more miles to go and we wanted to finish strong.

Now I find myself in a completely different situation. After having a baby and moving, I felt in my heart I had lost my inspiration. My motivation disappeared. Just the thought of physical activity brought out the struggle between my mind and body. I was frustrated. Recently, I made the commitment to begin running seriously again.

The first thing I discovered, the mind does not forget what it has done but the body does. I remember being able to run for miles and now, mentally, I think I can. However, my body tells me a different story. It's the same old battle between the spirit and the flesh. "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41 (New American Standard) When I looked back longingly to my past, it almost pained me. I was able to accomplish so much and now, it was discouraging.

Begining
God's Word is so motivating! "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8 (New American Standard) I began by dwelling on the acheivements the Lord allowed me to attain in a positive manner. If the Lord allowed me to build up a strong endurance in the past, He can certainly do it again! I also went back over one basic of physical fitness....start slow!

The Christian walk is like being physically fit. It's just not easy. There are highs and lows. There are times of great fitness and other times when maintaining is a struggle. There are times of great closeness and times of feeling far away.

Maybe, you are on the same path. Maybe, you are struggling to start a fitness program. Maybe, you are finding it difficult to have a relationship with God. Whatever you are going through, focus on the positive steps you have taken. Focus on the acheivements and not the disappointments. Write down the great things God has allowed you to reach! Then ask yourself the question I ask myself each day.

Am I satisfied where I am or will I be brave enough to move beyond this point?
(To Be Continued)

Climbing The Stairway To Pain

Every Day
Our house here in London is lovely. It was built in the 1920's and has 3 floors. The house has been expanded and updated in many ways. However, there are two things we would change, if we could. First, we would put a toilet downstairs. Second, there wouldn't be as many stairs!

When we moan about the 32 stairs to our bedroom, most people say something like "it's a great way to get exercise" or "be thankful you can still climb stairs". Now, both statements are true; however, most people forget that something begins to happen to the brain when you are in your mid-40's. Memory, or rather the lack of memory, begins to be a nuisance!

I do not know how many times I climbed those 32 stairs just to get to the bedroom and discover I have no clue why I'm there! At first, I would go ahead and walk all the way downstairs then I finally wised up. Now, I just stay in the bedroom until I can think of why I'm there. If it weren't for the baby needing other things, there are days I would be a prisoner in my room!

Stairs Vs. Escalator
I'm impatient.....there, I've admitted it. Isn't that the first step? So, why....oh, why do I get bad ideas in my head....know they are bad ideas but still do them? Let me see...."I do not know why I do the things I do. I do not do what I want to do. But I do the things I hate." (Romans 7:15) Yep, that sums it up!

I went to meet Skip at work and after eating supper we took the tube to catch the train home. At one of the tube stations, there was a long line of people waiting to get on the escalator. Now, there are stairs but no one was walking up. I got a bit impatient and decided to just take the stairs.

Let me take a moment here to explain how I travel with the baby. When I go into the middle of London I carry Christian in a baby backpack. Yes, on my back. I've gotten use to the added weight and I actually find it easier than lifting a stroller. Not all the tube stations have elevators and not all people are kind enough to help me when I'm on my own.

So, there I am with Christian on my back and I decided to be bold and just take the stairs! I begin climbing and it's not too bad. I mean, there are only 3 flights...right? I arrive at the first landing and I'm feeling the burn in my legs. I get half way up the second flight and now I'm ready to scream for help. But, I'm still in my right mind so I don't.

My pace is getting a little slower and I also start realizing that people are watching me. I then over hear some man talking with a friend. The conversation went something like this..."she's walking up the stairs"....(the friend says something I can't understand)....."look, she's walking and she has a backpack".....(the friend says something else I can't understand)....."she's walking up the stairs and she has a baby on her back!" Now, I feel the pressure to complete what I have started!

I'm so vain! I realize that I'm walking about the same pace as the escalator is traveling. Well, I can't let people SEE that I'm dying! So, I pick up my pace a little and try not to look like I'm gasping for breath! I hit the middle of the final flight and I'm acting like the Little Engine that could....."I think I can, I think I can, I think I can".

Reaching the top was like placing a flag on the summit of Mount Everest! I was so proud that I had finished! I just hoped that a slight breeze didn't come along and push me over. My legs felt like rubber and they were screaming with pain! I don't know how many steps I climbed. If I would have counted, I think I would have been prepared to just sit down and wait for the rescue people. I thought.....that was the dumbest thing I have ever done! Until...........

Do Not Use Unless There Is An Emergency
Traveling to the theatre to see BloodBrothers, I came across a tube station that was so deep underground there was an elevator for everyone going up to use. Not having traveled through this station before I also saw the group gathered waiting FOR the elevator. Then I spotted the door marked "stairs".

I thought about taking the stairs but decided against it. As I waited for the next elevator, the crowd began to swell. Seems everyone wanted to go somewhere and they all decided to pass through this place. So, I listened to the evil call of the stairs and went through the door.

As I entered the stairwell, I saw a sign that said "139 steps". I have 32 steps in my house! How bad could 139 be, right?

Other people decided not to wait on the elevator and suddenly a stream of people entered. So, of course....I wasn't going to turn around! I'm no chicken! I mean, if women in 4 inch heels can go up 139 stairs, I think I stand a good chance of finishing!

Sometimes, it's just not good to listen to the little voice in your head.

I walked up a couple flights of this spiral tower and I'm going slowly, pacing myself. I'm trying not to count each step. Then I hear the most encouraging thing in the world. A man's voice comes over the intercom. "Caution, there are 139 stairs. Please do NOT use the stairs. Only use the stairs in case of an emergency. 139 stairs is equivalent to a 15 story building. Please do not use the stairs." On average, a person is photographed 300 times in London. There are CCTV cameras everywhere. So, this warning is probably coming from a live person who, for some strange reason thinks that there will be no survivors on this journey. Not encouraging. I continue to climb and this man continues to usher his warning. Now, I'm taking this personally! Who does he think he's talking to??? I don't quit!

I'm watching the young lady with 3 inch high heels in front of me. I feel better about myself because she has to stop and rest. I take a moment to stop and encourage her. O.K...I'm resting because I'm tired.

Getting close to the top, this poor woman is ready for her boyfriend to carry her the rest of the way. I keep going and when I see light at the end of the tunnel, I have one final act of bravery. I turn, walk back down 10 steps to let this lady know she's almost at the end! During the middle of me saying something like "We're almost there! You can do it!" I hear some poor woman further down the stairs screaming....."help me!!!! help me!!!!!" It wasn't like a "someone is killing me" scream......it was a "I've listened to that little man over the intercom too long and have given up" scream.

There are times in battle when a solider will summon his last ounce of strength and go back for a fallen comrade. There also moments when that fallen buddy looks at his friend and says dramatically...."go, go....save yourself".

As I took that last step up on that glorious day, I listened to the screaming lady. Her "help me, help me" began to sound more and more like "save yourself". So, I plucked up the courage to save myself and leave.

Didn't I say I had already committed my final act of bravery?

(I know, I'm a horrible person. I just wanted my legs to stop hurting. Don't think less of me.)