Marathon

This past weekend I had the privilege of watching my daughter run her first half-marathon.  She and a friend ran, side by side, the entire race.  I saw them and cheered for them first at mile 6.

Casey (my daughter) is in the red shirt and looks like she's about to bawl.  That's because she was!  She was so overcome with emotion when she saw her husband, young son, and her mom there for her, cheering her on.  She had 7.1 more miles to go and needed all the encouragement she could get.

Isn't that the way it is in life?  We all start out on this journey with a goal, a plan for what we want to accomplish or be.  Along the way we get side-tracked with things that weigh us down or others that slow us down.  We allow the enemy to tell us that we should just quit ... and we listen to that.  Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us to lay aside the weights and the things that entangle us.  We are to run the race with endurance, fixing our eyes on the One who is at the finish line cheering us on -- Jesus.  Paul said (Philippians 3:14), "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." 

This is my encouragement to you -- Keep pressing on, my friends.  Although it won't be easy, the run can be so exciting and fulfilling.  Don't let anyone tell you it's not worth it.  I want to finish this course of life with excellence, doing what God has called me to do, and I want you to be there beside me.  And when we cross that finish line, we WILL receive the prize. 

 

The Blessing of Family

The past few weeks I've been blessed to spend a lot of time with my family.  I flew to North Carolina to be with my siblings for a weekend two weeks ago.  It was the first time we had all been together since our dad passed away 2 1/2 years ago.  Long overdue, I know.  

While I was there, my younger brother's church (he pastors C3 Church in Clayton, NC) hosted Hillsong London in concert.  I got to spend the day with these talented and godly musicians.  God really used them to speak to my heart and challenge me.  It didn't hurt, either, that I got to hear them in concert that night.  And the staff at C3 treated me like a queen, waiting on me hand and foot.  I even had my own armor bearer.  :)

On Saturday, my older brother and I were able to visit my sister in the rest home in which she lives and help her settle into her new room.  I was so glad we were able to help and get to spend more time with her.  We rode in his sports car with the top down and my hair blowing in the wind.  It was a gorgeous day and, although I looked quite the sight when we arrived at my nephew's soccer game, I loved the ride!  That night we attended my niece's performance in Hello Dolly ... and Gloria was a superstar!!!

Between late-night talks with my sister-in-law, lots of eating out (twice at one of my favs - Cracker Barrel) paid for by my brother, games with the nieces and nephew, fantastic services at C3 church, powerful messages by my brother (so good I went to two identical services Sunday morning), and heart-to-heart sharing, I would say the weekend was "just what the doctor ordered."  I had needed a break, a time to just soak up all God wanted me to hear, a time to worship freely, and a good time of sharing.  It really was a blessing I won't soon forget.

This past week my younger brother and his family came to MY house.  Matt (younger brother) spoke at GUTS church in Tulsa Wednesday night, and at a super-large conference at the ORU's Mabee Center on Friday.  Since they arrived on Monday, we got to spend tons of time together and experienced a lot of the same things -- late-night talks, heart-to-heart sharing, games, lots of family favorite foods, and even horseback riding.    

Probably the most special blessing for me in all of this was that I felt like I belonged.  I was accepted for who I am, I was loved just like I am, and I was wanted because I was ME.  My nieces, Caroline and Gloria, fought over who got to sit by me in the car, at meals, or during a game.  My nephew Caleb was constantly wanting me to do something with him, even if it was just to sit and talk or play a game.  I love them so very much and am so thankful for the wonderful gift they gave me -- their love.

I'm ending this post with a huge smile.  I'm smiling because I feel like I've just received a two-week-long hug ... and I needed that!!!!!