Operation Beautiful.
What a blessing it was to see the one woman who started this thing speak about it on The Today Show a few weeks back. One morning, this woman came to the realization that she was sick of trying to live up to an impossible expectation of beauty. So she decided to make a change. She started putting sticky notes on the mirror in public bathrooms and hoped to make one woman smile. This continued on until thousands of women started sending in pictures of the places they had left a note and then a book was born. Every time I watch these type of videos I am once again reminded of the need to get The Beautiful Truth going. It's just so exciting to see the many different things women are doing to take a stand and remind each other how beautiful we are JUST THE WAY we are! It's inspiring, encouraging, and boy it is affirming.
For those of you that are aware of this dream I believe God has put on my heart called The Beautiful Truth, I am in the early stages of getting this started! I've been meeting with some people and discussing the possibilities for this next year in using the internship hours I need to obtain in order to graduate, to gain a stronger foundation of what I want to begin. I am hoping to spend three months doing research and polls and interviews and studying in order to gain a better grasp of what it is young women are in need of learning. I want to talk with those who have done things similar to this, or just been involved in the lives of those that struggle with self confidence. I also want to begin meeting with girls and really getting to the heart of this issue, and seeing how to make a beautiful change in the way we see ourselves. I'm hoping to officially start this program, or group during my second semester of school. It will be like my little baby, so I want to see how it goes on the campus of Columbia Bible College. This is all if my prof allows me to use this as my internship which would give me 8 hours for sure a week of research research research until I dive right in. Say a prayer! I sure hope this works out for my internship.
Other than that, it's been exciting seeing how God has brought specific people into my life at this time with gifts that can be used with The Beautiful Truth. How exciting!! I'm noticing that there's a big target on my back and the devil is sure heaving some huge challenges my way lately. But I will overcome each and every challenge and fear. When I say challenge, I mean my own fight to see God's true beauty in myself have grown more difficult. I've noticed old battles poking in more recently, which leads me to draw even closer to the Lord in order to gain strength and beat down those lies. The battle sure continues, even if you are trying to make a difference in the lives of others. Yet, my Mom has always said, if you don't feel the devil trying to bring you down, then you're not too big of a worry in his eyes, and boy we WANT to be a worry in his eyes...that means we are really doing something incredible for our God! I'm just thankful to have God on my side, holding my hand, and walking me through those dark moments. Lately, all I have been hearing and reading about during my God time is GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS! So thank you God, for that reminder that I need every single time I'm down.
Well, now that I went from passionately sharing Operation Beautiful, to updating you on The Beautiful Truth, and finally sharing some of the deepest struggles going on in my life, I guess I should end this tangent:)
Time to go to sleep....
Britt
Aug 21, 2010
Yummy Fresh Smootheeee:)
Just had to share this royal yumminess with you. I found it in my wonderful Better Homes and Gardens mag...(aka- the housewives best friend) and today I finally tried it out! Here it is-
1 medium banana- (mine was mushy at the bottom so I only used half and it was still perfect)
3/4 cup of fresh rasberries- (mine were frozen because we were given such a GENEROUS amount of rasberries from some friends of ours. Thanks James and Amy!
1 tbs sugar
3/4 cup of 1% milk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Mix together in your blender, and drink until your heart's delight! Or, until your heart is delighted...really, that saying doesn't make much sense, or else I don't quite have it right;)
Have an beautiful Saturday evening and I will blog again shortly.
Britt
1 medium banana- (mine was mushy at the bottom so I only used half and it was still perfect)
3/4 cup of fresh rasberries- (mine were frozen because we were given such a GENEROUS amount of rasberries from some friends of ours. Thanks James and Amy!
1 tbs sugar
3/4 cup of 1% milk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Mix together in your blender, and drink until your heart's delight! Or, until your heart is delighted...really, that saying doesn't make much sense, or else I don't quite have it right;)
Have an beautiful Saturday evening and I will blog again shortly.
Britt
Aug 5, 2010
My Something Beautiful
Something beautiful. Something exciting. Something breathtaking and life changing.
These are all things we all desire. We desire to see something so breathtakingly beautiful. If you don't, then my goodness you need to! For the last few weeks I have heard this song on the radio and felt incredibly inspired to write, to blog. This morning I watched a short series called Breakthrough by Tony Robbins and the song Something Beautiful by NeedtoBreathe is their theme song. Not only does it fit, but millions of viewers are being blessed with one persons cry out to God, that turned into a song, that stirs our own hearts for "something beautiful".
So what is it?
What is that something beautiful?
What are you wanting to see, to experience, to witness?
As for me, this song stirs so many different emotions in my own heart, and I felt like sharing some of them with you. May it be a challenge to you to think of some of that "something beautiful" you desire to see.
My Something Beautiful-
-Even though I've seen many sunsets, I want to sit on some high mountain, hill, or cliff at the beach and watch our main source of light, energy, and heat fall beneath the ocean.
-In time, I want to experience the moment we first find out we are going to have a baby. I want to see the baby's first kick, first smile, first step.
-I want to be in conversation with someone and pray with someone as they accept Jesus as their Savior for the first time. I desire to see those tears of joy pour from their soul.
-I want overlook a beautiful canyon, or mountainous area and journal, worship, and talk with God.
-I want to see a room full of women being reminded of their TRUE beauty. I want to see the look in their eyes when they get it, when they realize that THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL.
-I want to hear stories of men and women who have struggled with years of fear, anxiety, anorexia, bulimia, and everything else, and hear how GOD HELPED THEM OVERCOME
-I want to be back where I was the last night of our senior float trip where we sat on top of a hill underneath the stars and just soaked in the beauty of no city lights, no noise, just pure nature. Just God's creation.
-I want to feel the joy of running and completing my first fun run.
-I look forward to my 25th anniversary sitting next to my husband smiling at the fact that we thought one year was amazing, yet, we had no idea what wonderful things were to come.
-I want to experience whatever it is God is going to do with The Beautiful Truth. Just seeing the look on young women's faced when they are reminded of how TRULY BEAUTIFUL they are will bring tears to my eyes.
To me, my "something beautiful" is personal. It's my dreams, my hopes, and my desires. The list could go on and on, and to be honest, I hope that it never ends. Why?
Because GOD IS BEAUTIFUL.
GOD is my "something beautiful"
GOD has put these dreams in my heart.
GOD has written my love story with Jason.
GOD knows when my precious little babies will enter this world.
GOD loves me.
And GOD wants to bless me.
He wants to BLESS you. He wants to ROMANCE you. He wants to COMFORT you and SHOW you something beautiful.
So what is it? What is that "something beautiful" you want to see?
Here's the song that inspired me. Look at all the different people in this video that also desire to experience something beautiful. We are all alike, and God created us. So pray, and ASK Him to SHOW you SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL.
Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq1H3l7kyYU&feature=av2n
These are all things we all desire. We desire to see something so breathtakingly beautiful. If you don't, then my goodness you need to! For the last few weeks I have heard this song on the radio and felt incredibly inspired to write, to blog. This morning I watched a short series called Breakthrough by Tony Robbins and the song Something Beautiful by NeedtoBreathe is their theme song. Not only does it fit, but millions of viewers are being blessed with one persons cry out to God, that turned into a song, that stirs our own hearts for "something beautiful".
So what is it?
What is that something beautiful?
What are you wanting to see, to experience, to witness?
As for me, this song stirs so many different emotions in my own heart, and I felt like sharing some of them with you. May it be a challenge to you to think of some of that "something beautiful" you desire to see.
My Something Beautiful-
-Even though I've seen many sunsets, I want to sit on some high mountain, hill, or cliff at the beach and watch our main source of light, energy, and heat fall beneath the ocean.
-In time, I want to experience the moment we first find out we are going to have a baby. I want to see the baby's first kick, first smile, first step.
-I want to be in conversation with someone and pray with someone as they accept Jesus as their Savior for the first time. I desire to see those tears of joy pour from their soul.
-I want overlook a beautiful canyon, or mountainous area and journal, worship, and talk with God.
-I want to see a room full of women being reminded of their TRUE beauty. I want to see the look in their eyes when they get it, when they realize that THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL.
-I want to hear stories of men and women who have struggled with years of fear, anxiety, anorexia, bulimia, and everything else, and hear how GOD HELPED THEM OVERCOME
-I want to be back where I was the last night of our senior float trip where we sat on top of a hill underneath the stars and just soaked in the beauty of no city lights, no noise, just pure nature. Just God's creation.
-I want to feel the joy of running and completing my first fun run.
-I look forward to my 25th anniversary sitting next to my husband smiling at the fact that we thought one year was amazing, yet, we had no idea what wonderful things were to come.
-I want to experience whatever it is God is going to do with The Beautiful Truth. Just seeing the look on young women's faced when they are reminded of how TRULY BEAUTIFUL they are will bring tears to my eyes.
To me, my "something beautiful" is personal. It's my dreams, my hopes, and my desires. The list could go on and on, and to be honest, I hope that it never ends. Why?
Because GOD IS BEAUTIFUL.
GOD is my "something beautiful"
GOD has put these dreams in my heart.
GOD has written my love story with Jason.
GOD knows when my precious little babies will enter this world.
GOD loves me.
And GOD wants to bless me.
He wants to BLESS you. He wants to ROMANCE you. He wants to COMFORT you and SHOW you something beautiful.
So what is it? What is that "something beautiful" you want to see?
Here's the song that inspired me. Look at all the different people in this video that also desire to experience something beautiful. We are all alike, and God created us. So pray, and ASK Him to SHOW you SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL.
Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq1H3l7kyYU&feature=av2n
Cast of Characters: Max Lucado
Beautiful. Intriguing. Inspiring. Uplifting.
I ordered this book from booksneeze.com a few weeks ago and am already inspired. Of course we all know how wonderful of an author Max Lucado is, so that would be one of the reasons why I am touched. Yet, another reason is the reality that the stories written in this book, are taken directly from the bible. They have been a part of our inspired word of God, and changed in a way that we can relate and grasp the reality these people faced every day of their lives many years ago. Cast of Characters is a book written about 22 individual lives we read about in the bible. Some of them would be Esther, Moses, Joseph, and even two criminals. I would totally recommend reading this book if you are looking for a light read, yet something that will also move in your heart. It's important for us to constantly gain a better understanding of how God has called us to live. Often, the best way to grasp these things, we can look at experiences of other people and see what they learned through out their lives. What a blessing it is to receive this book! Read it!
I ordered this book from booksneeze.com a few weeks ago and am already inspired. Of course we all know how wonderful of an author Max Lucado is, so that would be one of the reasons why I am touched. Yet, another reason is the reality that the stories written in this book, are taken directly from the bible. They have been a part of our inspired word of God, and changed in a way that we can relate and grasp the reality these people faced every day of their lives many years ago. Cast of Characters is a book written about 22 individual lives we read about in the bible. Some of them would be Esther, Moses, Joseph, and even two criminals. I would totally recommend reading this book if you are looking for a light read, yet something that will also move in your heart. It's important for us to constantly gain a better understanding of how God has called us to live. Often, the best way to grasp these things, we can look at experiences of other people and see what they learned through out their lives. What a blessing it is to receive this book! Read it!
Jul 22, 2010
Pushing Towards Breaking Free
It's time to get real.
I mean, I always try to be real, and honest when it comes to blogging, and all other areas of my life for that matter. Yet, today, I've decided to share with you some things that God is doing in my heart. They sure are big things, great things....just beautiful things.
So let's be honest. I struggle with fear.
Fear. Such a frustrating word. And for those of you who don't know me, wouldn't know that anxiety has poked itself into my life for quite some time. It's something that almost everyone struggles with in my family when you look down the line. Well, I would say quite the majority at least. Worry, yes, that's normal. But anxiety, the thing that can take over and make you fear everything, obsess over little things, feel nervous for absolutely nothing, yes, that one can sure take over easily. It's something that so many people struggle with and don't even realize it. It's something I have learned to cope with, work through, and ignore.
God has done incredible things in my heart and has truly held onto me when I felt the most frustrated with this "thorn in my flesh" like I've called it many times. And I thank Him continually.
But let me tell you, over the last few months he has been 'stewing' something deep in my heart. He has been pushing me to give up the things I worry about, the things I hold on to, the way I cope with this ugly thorn known as anxiety. And it's been quite the hard hike let me tell you.
The last week or so I felt like I was climbing a mountain that just didn't seem to ever let up. It was like there was no resting point, no place that wasn't constantly going straight up. And boy did that suck. I was tired! Just like you get when hiking up a steep hill, or mountain, that feeling where you are ready to get to the top, and enjoy the view, the freedom. I've been wanting to get there, yet was feeling bogged down by my "lack of being in shape". It was as though I wasn't realizing the strength and ability I have to beat down the things that can really build up walls in my life.
(I'm sorry if any of this isn't making sense for some of you, yet if you struggle with or have struggled with anxiety, this just might sound familiar to you, so bare with me:)
I met with a great friend this morning and told her about the tough week I was experiencing, and after a few hours, it hit me. I realized that I was totally allowing the devil to bring me down and keep me from climbing the mountain of overcoming my fears. I wasn't LISTENING to God whisper into my heart that I can beat this, I can work through the things that bring me down. I was holding onto something that I learned to be ok with. A wonderful author and teacher named Beth Moore says in her devotional called Breaking Free that in her moments of being stuck in those difficult times, she was fine with just coping. She was fine with just staying in those chains that took ahold of her.
We all have something that can bring us fear, we all have something that can take over and keep us from being who God created us to be and who he wants us to be. We all have that thing that kind of bind us. For me, it's been my struggle with anxiety, and I became ok with just living with it. But God has other plans.
It's been a tough week hitting those "chains" head on. It's been a struggle to be honest, and I'm sure it's not been so easy for my husband Jason because he's had to just sit back and watch me try to climb the mountain that has grown in my life. He did pray for me yes, and he spent time listening to me as well. But it took me realizing what I wasn't allowing God to do in my life, and understanding that I needed to get on my hands and knees and lay my heart out to the Lord.
That's exactly what I did. I turned on a great worship mix, opened my journal, and wrote out everything that I was feeling. At one point the song Oh My God by Jars of Clay came on and it just broke me down. The lyrics talk about all the different horrible things that go on in this world, and how all that we can do is cry out to God. That's it. I needed to cry out to God. And boy did I cry! That's not something I do a whole lot while worshipping God (and I wish I did), yet at this time, it was like "I just needed a good cry." I can hear my Mom saying it right now.
And it worked. God worked. And I saw!
Guys, I know this post must be difficult for some to read, and it may also not make any sense. Yet it was on my heart to be honest, and to be vulnerable. I know many people that struggle with anxiety and I felt that there must be others that could be reading this and might need a little encouragement.
I can do it. YOU can do it. WE can all climb that mountain that has been growing in our lives. We can all overcome the things that seem to bind us and keep us from being WHO and WHAT God desires for us to be.
I could share many verses with you to support this, and boy I should! Yet, I want to leave you with this.
GOD CAN. GOD WILL if we allow Him. GOD DOES have an incredible plan for our lives, and GOD WILL help us to CONQUER our fears.
Praise God:)
I'll continue filling you in on this journey I am on, and I hope and pray that you can see the great work God wants to do in your heart. For now, I'm gonna continue pressing towards the Lord and praying that he can continue to break my heart and build it back up just as he desires it to be.
Thank you God:)
The Brittsters.
I mean, I always try to be real, and honest when it comes to blogging, and all other areas of my life for that matter. Yet, today, I've decided to share with you some things that God is doing in my heart. They sure are big things, great things....just beautiful things.
So let's be honest. I struggle with fear.
Fear. Such a frustrating word. And for those of you who don't know me, wouldn't know that anxiety has poked itself into my life for quite some time. It's something that almost everyone struggles with in my family when you look down the line. Well, I would say quite the majority at least. Worry, yes, that's normal. But anxiety, the thing that can take over and make you fear everything, obsess over little things, feel nervous for absolutely nothing, yes, that one can sure take over easily. It's something that so many people struggle with and don't even realize it. It's something I have learned to cope with, work through, and ignore.
God has done incredible things in my heart and has truly held onto me when I felt the most frustrated with this "thorn in my flesh" like I've called it many times. And I thank Him continually.
But let me tell you, over the last few months he has been 'stewing' something deep in my heart. He has been pushing me to give up the things I worry about, the things I hold on to, the way I cope with this ugly thorn known as anxiety. And it's been quite the hard hike let me tell you.
The last week or so I felt like I was climbing a mountain that just didn't seem to ever let up. It was like there was no resting point, no place that wasn't constantly going straight up. And boy did that suck. I was tired! Just like you get when hiking up a steep hill, or mountain, that feeling where you are ready to get to the top, and enjoy the view, the freedom. I've been wanting to get there, yet was feeling bogged down by my "lack of being in shape". It was as though I wasn't realizing the strength and ability I have to beat down the things that can really build up walls in my life.
(I'm sorry if any of this isn't making sense for some of you, yet if you struggle with or have struggled with anxiety, this just might sound familiar to you, so bare with me:)
I met with a great friend this morning and told her about the tough week I was experiencing, and after a few hours, it hit me. I realized that I was totally allowing the devil to bring me down and keep me from climbing the mountain of overcoming my fears. I wasn't LISTENING to God whisper into my heart that I can beat this, I can work through the things that bring me down. I was holding onto something that I learned to be ok with. A wonderful author and teacher named Beth Moore says in her devotional called Breaking Free that in her moments of being stuck in those difficult times, she was fine with just coping. She was fine with just staying in those chains that took ahold of her.
We all have something that can bring us fear, we all have something that can take over and keep us from being who God created us to be and who he wants us to be. We all have that thing that kind of bind us. For me, it's been my struggle with anxiety, and I became ok with just living with it. But God has other plans.
It's been a tough week hitting those "chains" head on. It's been a struggle to be honest, and I'm sure it's not been so easy for my husband Jason because he's had to just sit back and watch me try to climb the mountain that has grown in my life. He did pray for me yes, and he spent time listening to me as well. But it took me realizing what I wasn't allowing God to do in my life, and understanding that I needed to get on my hands and knees and lay my heart out to the Lord.
That's exactly what I did. I turned on a great worship mix, opened my journal, and wrote out everything that I was feeling. At one point the song Oh My God by Jars of Clay came on and it just broke me down. The lyrics talk about all the different horrible things that go on in this world, and how all that we can do is cry out to God. That's it. I needed to cry out to God. And boy did I cry! That's not something I do a whole lot while worshipping God (and I wish I did), yet at this time, it was like "I just needed a good cry." I can hear my Mom saying it right now.
And it worked. God worked. And I saw!
Guys, I know this post must be difficult for some to read, and it may also not make any sense. Yet it was on my heart to be honest, and to be vulnerable. I know many people that struggle with anxiety and I felt that there must be others that could be reading this and might need a little encouragement.
I can do it. YOU can do it. WE can all climb that mountain that has been growing in our lives. We can all overcome the things that seem to bind us and keep us from being WHO and WHAT God desires for us to be.
I could share many verses with you to support this, and boy I should! Yet, I want to leave you with this.
GOD CAN. GOD WILL if we allow Him. GOD DOES have an incredible plan for our lives, and GOD WILL help us to CONQUER our fears.
Praise God:)
I'll continue filling you in on this journey I am on, and I hope and pray that you can see the great work God wants to do in your heart. For now, I'm gonna continue pressing towards the Lord and praying that he can continue to break my heart and build it back up just as he desires it to be.
Thank you God:)
The Brittsters.
Jul 16, 2010
Pine Street.
Pine Street.
During my first year of high school, the year of new beginnings, we moved into a two story home that would soon become ours. From the inside out, my parents renovated and changed it to a classic country home. The yard was all grass. Yet, within a year it had been turned into a beautiful escape from the busy lives we lived. The home I was born in reminds my family of many incredible memories. Yet, it's not the home I miss today. Today, as I enjoy my own first home as an adult, I am reminded of the comfort, fun, and joy I have had in my home in Oregon. It will always be considered home. Even if it's not the place I am living most of the time. Home is where your heart is, and that has become such a reality for me. Yes, my home here with Jason is where my heart is. Yet, every person has a place they look at as "home". It's either where their family is, or where they first moved to when their own home wasn't a good place anymore. We each have a place we love to call home, that place we love to visit when we need to get away from the busy lives we lead in our new home. For me, my "home" is the home I just left. The home my parents have built for us as a family. The place where we all come back to when the holidays roll around. It's home.
It's the street I grew up in.
It's the place I grew to love my parents for who they were not just because they were my parents.
I learned how to cook in that house.
I became best friends with my Mom there.
Josh and I spent hours on the trampoline or in the hot tub there.
I was picked up for my first prom in that house.
And learned how to drive there.
I grew to love my neighbors Rod and Noella like family while living there.
I found my love for mini weiner dogs there:)
I had many hours of journaling and laying in the hammock wondering where God would lead me .
I had to the hard way who my true friends were while living there.
I spent time working in the yard with my Dad, talking to him about life.
I enjoyed many dinners talking to my brothers and parents for hours after the food was gone.
I battled a minor eating disorder there and regained a healthy picture of my true beauty.
God took control of my life so often while living there.
I brought home my love to "meet the family".
My family fell in love with my true love and welcomed him into our family there.
As I have my own home now with Jason, I desire to create memories just like these wherever we go. I hope to fill our home with love and laughter and the peace of God. I hope to raise my children to love the Lord and live for him here. It won't be in this exact home of course, yet it will be in my home Jason and I created.
In the future, I look forward to going and visiting my home in Oregon, yes, where a piece of my heart will always be.
I look forward to so many incredible memories to continue to be created in that home. The home where I grew up.
Mom, Dad, Josh, and Alex, thank you. Thank you for making home such a beautiful place. Thank you for loving me for who I am every moment I walk through the door. Thank you for my home. I love you.
Britt
During my first year of high school, the year of new beginnings, we moved into a two story home that would soon become ours. From the inside out, my parents renovated and changed it to a classic country home. The yard was all grass. Yet, within a year it had been turned into a beautiful escape from the busy lives we lived. The home I was born in reminds my family of many incredible memories. Yet, it's not the home I miss today. Today, as I enjoy my own first home as an adult, I am reminded of the comfort, fun, and joy I have had in my home in Oregon. It will always be considered home. Even if it's not the place I am living most of the time. Home is where your heart is, and that has become such a reality for me. Yes, my home here with Jason is where my heart is. Yet, every person has a place they look at as "home". It's either where their family is, or where they first moved to when their own home wasn't a good place anymore. We each have a place we love to call home, that place we love to visit when we need to get away from the busy lives we lead in our new home. For me, my "home" is the home I just left. The home my parents have built for us as a family. The place where we all come back to when the holidays roll around. It's home.
It's the street I grew up in.
It's the place I grew to love my parents for who they were not just because they were my parents.
I learned how to cook in that house.
I became best friends with my Mom there.
Josh and I spent hours on the trampoline or in the hot tub there.
I was picked up for my first prom in that house.
And learned how to drive there.
I grew to love my neighbors Rod and Noella like family while living there.
I found my love for mini weiner dogs there:)
I had many hours of journaling and laying in the hammock wondering where God would lead me .
I had to the hard way who my true friends were while living there.
I spent time working in the yard with my Dad, talking to him about life.
I enjoyed many dinners talking to my brothers and parents for hours after the food was gone.
I battled a minor eating disorder there and regained a healthy picture of my true beauty.
God took control of my life so often while living there.
I brought home my love to "meet the family".
My family fell in love with my true love and welcomed him into our family there.
As I have my own home now with Jason, I desire to create memories just like these wherever we go. I hope to fill our home with love and laughter and the peace of God. I hope to raise my children to love the Lord and live for him here. It won't be in this exact home of course, yet it will be in my home Jason and I created.
In the future, I look forward to going and visiting my home in Oregon, yes, where a piece of my heart will always be.
I look forward to so many incredible memories to continue to be created in that home. The home where I grew up.
Mom, Dad, Josh, and Alex, thank you. Thank you for making home such a beautiful place. Thank you for loving me for who I am every moment I walk through the door. Thank you for my home. I love you.
Britt
Persevering in a New Way
For those of you who know me, know I love to exercise. I love to go for a good power walk with a girl friend, or push through the 30 Day Shred work out dvd by Jillian Michaels. I love getting out for a bike ride, or even rally the tennis ball with my husband for a bit.
But I don't like to run.
Or at least, I used to feel that way.
For the last few years I really hated going for a run. It may be because I was doing it all alone, and not being realistic with myself and my abilities.
At one point during my struggle with a minor eating disorder a few years back, I would get so angry with myself because I could not break through that tired point in the beginning of a run where my body was going...."what on earth are you making me do"? I was never one to do much running unless it was during my cheerleading daily doubles or random practices. Needless to say, unless I was on a tredmill with the tv going in front of me, I would never choose to go for a nice jog.
This was the one area that I ignored in the world of exercise.
Until a few weeks ago.
A good friend of mine always talks about how much she enjoys a good run, and how good she feels after one. I began to ask her about "the wall" in the beginning of a run where I just felt like I could not push myself any further, nor wanted to. And she explained to me what it actually is and that once you get past that, it gets that much easier.
So we went for a run!
We decided that she would train me. Teach me how to love this area, and how to push myself in a way that I never thought I could.
So two weeks ago, she took me out to this beautiful place in this area, and I started the journey of conquering something I thought I wasn't built to do.
On that day, she thought it would be good to start small, and work my way up, which we are still continuing to do. We ran 4 minutes and walked 2 and then continued that for the rest of the run. It was challenging for me even though I regularly work out. My body wasn't used to this, yet I pushed through the moments of thinking I couldn't do it. I remember at one point half way through saying how much I wanted to just power walk because that's something I enjoy! Yet, Sarah kindly reminded me that I could do this, and that we only had three minutes left. Then two...then one. I remember even thinking about my older brother and how he runs 10 miles every single day with tons of gear on his back, and heat to make it worse. Yes, he's in the army. But he is still running, and doing something he had never done before.
I even thought about Jillian Michaels being my trainer and running beside me yelling into my ear saying that I can do it, that I need to battle the lies saying I am not capable. Funny thing is, it worked!
At the end of our run, Sarah said we were going to run to a certain point, yet I thought it wouldn't be too much longer than what I was used to. When I heard he say we had just run 7 minutes straight I was full of incredible joy! I, the one who hated running. The one who believed I could do anything else in the gym, yet could not be a distance runner...DID IT!
To some of you, this may sound kind of funny. It may seem like such a small hurdle to climb. Yet to me, it was almost impossible in my mind. I didn't think I was even built to run. It was the one thing that constantly would poke in my head saying that I wasn't really in that good of shape because I couldn't run very long.
Yet, I persevered.
I pushed myself past the limit that I had put on my back.
I said I couldn't run.
And I can.
And now, I love it!
I have only just begun.
Thank you Sarah. Thank you for reminding me that I can do this, and can conquer something that seemed impossible. Thank you for pushing me to run further without me even knowing it, and then sharing the good news as we had finished. I love that you help me push through the mental battle because I can do this physically. Thank you for being my running partner:)
God, you are amazing. Thank you for the beautiful world you have created, and The Dike...my goodness that place is beautiful and helps me enjoy our runs with baby bunnies hopping across the trail. Seeing the horses grazing half way through our run fills me with joy like every other area of your creation.
What is something little to others, yet huge to you that you need to overcome? I know you have that one thing that you think you either physically can't do, or personally won't be able to accomplish. We are all human and we are constantly changing and growing, so what's an area that you think you could push yourself further in?
I want to encourage you today with this.
"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." Eph. 3:20
Whether it's physical, emotional, personal, a goal, a dream, or even a relationship that you want to be reconciled, God is holding your hand. With him working in your heart, you can do anything you can put your mind to.
So what is that one thing?
Blessings guys....
The Newlywed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
