The StairMaster

Last night I went to the gym with excitement, water bottle in hand. I climbed the Stairmaster and punched in the time: 30 minutes. After about 15 minutes of strenuous stepping and “getting nowhere”, my enthusiasm began to wane. I mustered up some positive self talk as I willed myself to keep going. During this time, I was trying to pray, but it’s hard for me to pray when I’m exercising since much of my attention is focused on keeping my heart rate up and well, let’s be honest, not quitting. But God is such a great listener, and He responded to my sporadic communication by placing His Word in my thoughts – “run with endurance the race set before you”. I was so encouraged that God not only gave me a verse to think about but also encouragement for that very moment when I felt like quitting.


(I learned these verses in the King James, but I often read other translations for a fresh perspective. These verses are from The Message.)
Hebrews 12:1-3

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how He did it. Because He never lost sight of where He was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—He could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now He's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility He plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

God's Favorite

Today I wanted to forget all my responsibilities, call in sick, crawl back in bed and put the covers over my head. Instead, after a good cry, I reminded myself that God is good and faithful. He's full of grace and mercy. He is an endless supply of unconditional, perfect love. He never changes, and He specializes in turning lives around. A friend of mine used to always say she was God's favorite, but she knows that I am his favorite, too. Thank you, God!

Camping and the Things You Learn

The girls and I went camping this weekend and stayed right on the Withlachoochee River. It was beautiful and peaceful, and I could've stayed all weekend. I canoed, read a book by the river, made smores around a campfire and enjoyed the playful banter of three teenage girls.

1. While camping, I learned some very interesting facts:

• Florida only has two rivers that flow north, and the Withlachoochee River is one of them.
• The Withlachoochee River has alligators.
• We went canoeing during alligator season.
• Alligators are not aggressive, but Savannah will head back to the shore if an alligator is spotted.
• Mosquitoes and other bugs will start getting bad about thirty minutes after you start hearing the frogs talking to each other.
• This last bit I found out on our drive up to the river: Cora Lynn used to put water on her eyes and come to me crying saying that Savannah hit her.
• Check for hand prints.