Marathons

A few weeks ago I got to watch the Chicago marathon. It was one of the coolest experiences of my life. The amount of people who ran it and who were there to watch was incredible. I have so much respect for those who ran it. What a huge commitment to train for it and then to put all that effort forth and push through the day of the race. I am realizing that life is a little like a marathon. There are moments where we feel like we can't see the finish line. There are moments we want to bow out, but we have already come so far- just like in a marathon, you can't quit after you are 23 miles in. We have to push through, we have to finish. We have to make disciples. In Philippians 3 Jesus calls us to run the race in pursuit of Heaven. In this race, in this life we have to train, we have to learn more and more about Jesus so that when we want to give up or when the race gets hard we can push through because we have trained, we have a foundation. 

This season has been anything but easy, and yet it has brought me nearer to the Lord and for that I am grateful. I have to decide each day that my Jesus is who is going to get me through the day. I have learned that living in fear steals my joy and it causes me to live in bondage. What this means going forward, I'm not sure. The unknown is still scary and uncomfortable; however, what I know is that Jesus is all that I need and that no matter where I am at He is with me. I know that there is freedom when I fear Him and not my circumstances. I have learned that starting my morning with time with my Heavenly Father is the best way to start my day. Does this mean every day is easy? Not at all, in fact some are extremely hard- but my God is still good and always will be. 

I am so thankful for the joy I see on my kids faces every single day. The weekend comes around and I miss them. They may test my patience and I may have to get them back on task every other minute, but their excitement for learning and the way they are quick to love is so encouraging to me. I love getting to read with them and to teach them. I love watching the lightbulb come on when something clicks. They have made me love my job and I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be apart of their lives. 

It is humbling to know that God chooses me. To know that He uses me. On my good days, on my bad days. When I'm strong and when I am weak. I am continually in awe of who He is and how He provides in ways that I wouldn't have ever come up with in my own plan. 

"When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay." On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand, these lyrics have played over and over in my head. He is always looking out for me. He knows every single part of me and He has a plan for my life that is beyond anything I could every imagine.