Well, as you may know: I'M HOME!
"Month 12" has been quite a transition. ?As I make my transition, I ask that you make one as well. I've decided that I want to continue blogging, but I'm making the move over to 'ol WordPress. SO! You can check out my posts on there!
The new blog address is just as easy as this one! http://hannahcoulter.wordpress.com
Next time, you may not get a reminder… but,
To make life easy for you this time, here's my latest post!
Movements
If you’ve known me for any length of time, you’ll know that I have never been one for exercising. Really, I’m almost certain my gym teachers only passed me because they wanted me out of their gym classes. I’ve always preferred sitting on my butt, enjoying Facebook or Pinterest.. especially things like this:
Anyway, since returning from the race. I’ve noticed a lot of changes in myself.
One visible change: I run.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not anywhere near even thinking about running marathons. I’ve actually started doing the “Couch to 5k” running program and I love it. If you want to take a “Beginners Course” in running, I suggest you check it out.
But tonight, as I came to the end of my run I was struggling… big time. I’m just getting over a cold so not only is my body not in the best condition, but I’ve been super lazy the past few days. I could feel it minutes into my run. I was really going to have to push myself.
Finally the moment came.. “Ding! Begin your cool down.”
And as I thought, “Man that sucked. But it’s so worth it,” God took that moment to remind me that sometimes life is exactly like tonight’s run.
Sometimes it’s really hard. You feel like you can’t go on. Whatever life has thrown your way is just too much. You want to shut down, sit down on the path and cry.
In the short amount of time I’ve been running, I’ve learned a few things:
1. Sometimes you have to focus on one foot at a time. Literally, *Left foot, right foot. Left foot, right foot.* Whatever you do, don’t stop moving forward.
2. I have to fix my eyes on something. In the moments when I don’t think I’m going to make it, I have to find something to focus on.“Focus on the next tree. You just have to get there.” And somehow, you arrive there sooner than you ever expected.
3. My mind lies to me. It says, “You can’t. You might as well give up and go sit down.” And in those moments, I have to push the thoughts away. I have to call them out and say “No! I can finish this. And I will.”
4. You have to be hydrated. No negotiation here. And it’s not just about taking a bottle with you when you run. It’s an all day, everyday affair. Your body needs a regular supply of water.
And seriously, it’s a short jump to connect these lessons with our lives.
1. Sometimes I have to focus on one foot at a time. Psalm 37:23 (One of my favorites, by the way) says, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way.” Even when it takes all that you have to just take the next step in life, know that it was planned long before you were created. He knew it would be hard, but He also knew that He would give you the strength to do it. So, just the same, *Left foot, right foot. Left foot right foot.* Just keep moving forward.
2. I have to fix my eyes on something. God promises us that He’ll never leave us. He’s right there in front of you when you feel like you can’t go on saying, “You can do it. Just keep your eyes on me.” So, keep your eyes trained on Him. It’ll be over before you know it.
3. My mind lies to me. The enemy tricks us. He plants these lies into our minds that say “You can’t. You might as well give up and sit down.” He laughs and tells us, “You really thought you were strong enough? What a joke.” But, we don’t have to listen to him. Ephesians 6:10 says, “Finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” So stand. Stand in Truth. In Righteousness. In Peace. In Faith. In Salvation. In the Spirit. He freely gives us all of these things and more, if we only ask. And tell the Enemy he can go to Hell. It’s where He belongs.
4. I have to be hydrated. God is all-sustaining. He nourishes and strengthens us. But we can’t just seek Him when we’re struggling. We can’t just search His Word when we need a lifeline. Or just cry out to Him in times of desperation. We need to be hydrated. We need to spend time in His presence and in His Word every day. And all throughout the day. God is not limited by our time constraints or schedules. He’s everywhere all the time. In John 15, Jesus is recorded as saying, “Abide in me.” That doesn’t mean: Seek me when it’s convenient. Abide. Remain. In all things, at all times.
So, Keep pushing. It’s so worth it.
