Sunday, April 19, 2009

It's good to be alive



Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. -Hebrews 12:1

I love that verse. AIA (Athletes in Action) wrote bible verses in chalk on the riverside running/biking trails, that was one of them. It was so awesome & inspiring to see as I was running yesterday. Some other ones were 1 Timothy 4:8 Train yourself to be godly & Ephesians 3:19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. There's nothing more motivating then seeing God's word written on the surface I'm running on. My two passions! :) It feels so amazing to finally feel strong again while I'm running, It is an essential part of my life. Half marathon is 13 days away!

Since I've been in 8th grade I've kept journals. I fill up notebook after notebook with my random thoughts, goals, and struggles. I decided to read a couple entries yesterday and it just ended with me being really upset. For the past couple years I spend my time pouring out my pain onto my notebook paper instead of turning to God. I would literally spend hours by myself just writing, trying to figure myself out. Of course it's hilarious to read about all my dramas but I just wish I would've known to just give it to God, lay it at the cross, and let God heal & control my life. I'm so grateful that I've realized this now and that God is healing my wounds and molding me into the person I'm meant to be. But it's really hard for me to read them, I was constantly seeking something to fill my void. I always wrote about strengthening my relationship with God but I always seemed to get side tracked. Now he's captivated me and I will never let go, & either will he! :) The Lord has put amazing people in my life to get me to this point. I'm so unbelievably thankful and it's my honor to be used by Him to reach other people. I want to show God's love & compassion to as many people as I possibly can. Yesterday I was having an amazing run and I was just praising God for giving me strength and blessing with with this beautiful life. I was so overcome with compassion, I was about to yell "Jesus loves you!!" to another runner on the trail but I figured he might be a little freaked out. But why should I care? Oh that reminds me, I did share my faith with a guy that was walking on the trails while I was on my run on Wednesday. There's kind of a long story behind it but I stopped him, (he was wearing a shirt that said "God gave us free will, let's use it to party" I figured I could use that to spark a conversation, and gave him a quick version of the gospel told him that God is awesome, has changed my life and loves him! He looks at my kinda confused but he did say he appreciated me talking to him. Hopefully I planted a seed, if not.. it's good for me to share my faith on a regular basis. I feel so awkward and I get really nervous. But, I'm starting to get over that. I encourage everyone to reach out to at least one person this week, whether it be sharing the gospel or just showing God's love to someone.

Nothing else really going on in my life, nothing of significant importance anyways. Oh! I do want to acknowledge my beautiful Mother, If it wasn't for her I would not be the person I am today. I'm so thankful I grew up in a christian home and was provided with so much love. My mom is the strongest and most beautiful person I have ever met. She is so forgiving and I admire that quality in her so much! God has used her in so many amazing ways, I've watched her reach out to so many people, whether it be having bible studies at our house or driving Kara, our friends and I to see Crystal Lyons. She is an amazing woman with a beautiful heart for God. Thank you Mom! You are my best friend and I'm so proud of you. When our life was completely shaken, you stayed strong, kept faith and continued to provide a beautiful life for me. You're awesome!!!

I hope everyone enjoys the week, it's good to be alive. :)

2 comments:

Banta143 said...

I love the scripture on the road!! That was awesome.. I know what you mean, I have gotten really lazy in sharing the gospel with other people. Maybe even scared, to be honest. Sometimes I feel like it'd be more harm then good, even. I know you're supposed to be spirit-led at times with witnessing, but that doesn't mean we can't randomly talk to people or show God's love either! I think what u said is good.. we need to keep that fresh in our lives, and be "ready in season, and in out" like the Bible says! So when the right opportunity comes, we're ready!
Your Mom sounds amazing! It's obvious she has done a wonderful job with you! :) so *Hugs* to your Mom!!

Rhonda said...

God has BLESSED me with an amazing daughter. I am so proud of you and know that you are on the road to success in every way. Thank you for the encouraging words you wrote about me....I know that the most important job I ever could have had was to be your Mom and I thank God everyday for that blessing and honor. I love you with all my heart sweetie....God Bless....XXXOOOO...MOM