Saturday, July 3, 2010

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last October I wrote a post about baby girl running a race. I talked about how I was so inspired I just might do the Couch to 5K challenge. Yeah, I blew that off as soon as I posted the blog! A couple of months ago I started to feel something nagging at me. Everyone knows how I love my bible study and all my bible study peeps. We love feeling stretched in our study and in our walk with the Lord. But many times I feel stagnant. I get too comfortable. Does that resonate with anyone? I am someone who knows how to focus on my strengths. I know what I do well and I stay there. Don't venture out much and stay in my comfort zone. As of late, I feel the Lord telling me I can't grow if I won't move. He doesn't want me doing what I do well, He wants to show me what He can do. And I am full aware that He is the only reason I can do anything at all.

Back to baby girl and her running. She will be in high school this fall (yuck) and is on the Cross Country team. Her peers have been running much longer than she has and she was feeling pretty inadequate one day. I jumped in Momma mode and told her she can do anything she puts her mind to allowing the Lord to help her do. Yeah! Then she said, "And so can you Momma." Uh, of course I can. But we are talking about you baby not momma. Yet her statement stuck with me.
I started to think about all the kids I teach and the excitement they have about venturing into their futures and I realized I don't want to be done venturing. So I picked up the idea of doing this Couch to 5K thing. Baby girl and I did it together with our goal being the Firecracker 5K race held every Fourth of July weekend. It seemed forever away. We ran every week except for the week I cried every day because my knees hurt so badly. Worked that issue out and moved on. Some days have been better than others but today was the day and I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND BABY GIRL DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We were so excited this morning. More than anything I want my kids to see that you never are too old or set in your ways to do something totally out of your comfort zone. And those of you who know me, know that any athletic endeavor is WAY out of my comfort zone. I spent much of my running time over the last few months praying. At first praying I wouldn't permanently injure myself, but then praying and listening. Such a sweet time. No, I don't think that my calling has changed to being some kind of marathon runner, but I won't stop running. I do know that what Philippians says is true "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." He is preparing me for something and when the time comes I will be less afraid and more confident that I can step out in faith and leave my comfort zone. Wherever He leads I'll go. Praise God.
My sweet man and my sweet kids were there cheering me across the finish line. Baby girl beat me but not by much. My boys kept telling me they were surprised by how soon I finished and that they were proud. It's a great feeling to hear your kids tell you they are proud of you. And a great feeling for my man to greet me with a big ole bear hug telling me he was proud of me. They are my heartbeat.

Happy Fourth of July weekend! Celebrate our independence as a nation, but if you know Christ, celebrate the true freedom that comes from being His child.

4 comments:

  1. We are so proud of you Michelle! We had so much fun cheering y'all on :)

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  2. Congratulations!!!! I am so excited for you and proud of you. You did an awesome job. You have encouraged me. Have a Great day.

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  3. You go girl!!! I'm so proud of you! And in 38 minutes...wow...not bad for a 29 year old :-)!

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