Raise Your Gaze

07.07.19.  When Terry and I extended our running mileage from three miles to five miles, there was a specific course we would use to keep the workout interesting. It's nothing special and it's not the course we are eager to get to. The noise of the traffic beside us is too loud for music and the exhaust fumes can be sucked in when we are sucking at the air for oxygen.

The real reason we use this out-and-back sidewalk course is for the hills, hills and more hills. Oh and hill repeats. Were you aware there are rolling hills in Tennessee?

Running on a flat track is perfectly fine for an easier run or for when the weather is not cooperating for longer mileage. Simply put, a flat course adds mileage, but doesn't build endurance. Running hills tests the runner's training, requires the runner to make adjustments as she climbs and challenges the runner to lift her gaze to the unchanging focal point as she moves forward to the top.

As a newbie runner back in the spring of 2013, I had no desire to complete a full marathon. That's 26.2 miles of torture! My body did not know 26.2 miles, because it had trained only for the three miles. My mind could not comprehend what longer distances would feel like, because I had trained for the short distances only. Initially, to run farther meant spending more time while feeling weak and winded. There was no motivation inside of me to pursue anything other than what I was doing. That was until after the first race I experienced where the crowd encourages every runner to the finish. As soon as my foot crossed over that magic line, something inside of me awakened to challenge. I knew my training would take on an intentionality for something more difficult.

Running in the White Tank Mountains

Training strengthens the body. The discipline of longer distances more frequently, the addition of core and weight-bearing exercises, and changes to my nutrition were part of the new training. I found a coach who knew how to care and call out. I studied form of known distance runners. I researched equipment and the elevation of my next race.

But my hip joints hurt. My kneecap felt like it was warbling with a sensation near pain. After a quick evaluation, the physical therapist, a runner, immediately recognized what this newbie runner did not. I thought it was a joke and quickly scanned the room for a hidden camera when he gave me the diagnosis.

"Runner's Butt. You have Runner's Butt." To any girl, this sounds like a win! But, no. It's a symptom of weakness. In fact, the warbling kneecap was further confirmation that my hips were weak. He prescribed simple exercises to be repeated at daily intervals. In a few weeks, the exercises proved successful. 

Adjustments must be made during the ascent. Running on a flat course is one foot in front of the other. Pick 'em up. Put 'em down. Keep breathing. There is more to it, but if a person can move in an upright position, she can do a flat course. It is when the incline under her feet begins to rise, the same muscles are called on to engage differently.

Not only had the PT discovered my weak hips, he explained the need to engage muscles differently for the difficulty. It seems my short body is built for endurance. Since those thighs I have detested since puberty are quite strong, it was only natural that I engaged them while running uphill. However, the proper muscle group to engage for climbing hills is the set I sit upon. The glutes! They stabilize and power the movement up with shorter steps. By strengthening and engaging, the adjustments are learned to carry the runner up and over the hill. 

Raise your gaze. There is another technique the runner must employ for running hills:

head up - eyes up. The running coach I continue to ask for wisdom taught me this lesson. The top of a hill does not change. Since we run to where our eyes are focused, it makes sense to keep our eyes fixed on the top of the hill instead of on the road and on our feet during the arduous climb. By lifting our head, even slightly, our capacity for oxygen-rich air increases by lengthening the torso to take in more air, because our lungs are not in a squished position.

You're ahead of me and have paced the running lessons to our spiritual lives. I knew you would! Let's review.

In this life trials will rise up making our journey difficult, but not impossible. As we dig into the Word of Truth (the Bible) and look to spending time in relationship with God -the God of the impossible, He will help strengthen our spirit and teach us how to engage the truths found in the Word. The truth like this one found in Psalm 121:

"I will lift my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help (and strength and breath) comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and earth. He, who does not sleep, will not let your foot fall (or fail)."

I encourage you to read this tiny chapter with its eight power-packed verses for yourself, this evening. Are you ready to get up earlier or abandon stupid tv shows opting for time spent with God?

Raise your gaze, my friend. It is time to be intentional with your training.

Soul-Satiating

07.02.19.  Truth. Trust. Provision. Seeking. Soul-satiating.

Terry, my hubby, knows me inside-out. Terry sees me doing all the things and filling up the daily schedule and, when having been totally spent, he sees me fall into bed. Terry knows I love to travel and store up memories to recall, later. He may have planned this weekend to be a birthday trip to East Tennessee, but it was so much more. 

Soul-satiating space that could not be interrupted by the demands of schedule nor a cell signal. 

Soul-satiating pace with the perfect rhythm for Terry and I to walk hand-in-hand and to talk face-to-face about something or nothing in particular and to sing silly songs.

Soul-satiating place perfectly situated with water and bluffs and wildlife and a canoe for two to explore the good things of our living and loving Heavenly Father. Did I mention I'm a 7w8 on the Enneagram?

Soul-satiating grace. That's what grace feels like to me. 

It runs deeply to care for the things we keep buried, because they hurt too deeply. It soothes

and fills the dry, cracked, calloused areas exposed and desensitized by overuse. Soul-satiating grace is that soft

place to fall back and unclench our spirits to trust Truth. It is the provision of spiritual nutrients we are lacking, because we have gone too long unaware of being depleted and weakened.

Why and how do I allow myself to become empty? When does it happen? It's not penciled into my planner with a set date.

After I was full-up, again, I believe I caught a clue.

An intimate, soul-satiating relationship with God is not accidental. It is intentional.

Even though I plan daily devotions and attend Sunday worship service, my mind can fire a dozen different directions without fully being in those moments with Him. If I am not intentionally listening and not purposefully positioning myself to have my soul satisfied to the fullest measure, I will be back at that place -again- wondering why and how and when did empty happen?

Singer-Song Writer and worship leader, Jason Upton, raises his voice in lyrical prayer in Wild and Free with this one line that makes my soul agree - "Lord, fill my heart till it's full on hunger."

That deserves a two-hands-raised-in-praise!

I'm thankful for spotting the EMBRACED book by Lysa TerKeurst at a ladies' conference. I'm thankful for her devotions sparking my spirit for these 32 days, because the devotions have pointed to what is good and necessary and soul-satiating -- a deeper, intentional relationship with the One who loves me.

Revisit those New Year's Goals

Does reading those words cause you disappointment? Do you remember where you wrote down the goals?

There should not be shame associated with pursuing goals. Let yourself off the proverbial hook. Any time you make a goal, you are daring to believe it is attainable. Nothing wrong with that! 

Here's where we tend to go wonky: We fail to make a plan -OR- We fail to execute that plan. Again, there should be no shame. 



Are you still trying to remember where those goals are written down?
I had to look for mine, too. 

So, what do we do, now, that half the year has gone by?

Again, ditch the shame. Pull up your big girl panties or tighten that belt and let's see how we can salvage our intentions from six months ago and feel good about ourselves!

Write it down. Perhaps you have forgotten what the goals were. Perhaps you are in a different mindset or place than you were after last Christmas. Consider altering those goals.

Map out a plan. Whether your goal is to learn a new language, graduate with a degree, become a "MOMpreneur" or whatever, use a calendar to make a long-term goal date. Then, note short-term goals on dates, starting now, stepping toward your long-term goal date. Be realistic. Example: "To get healthy safely by (date)," instead of an unrealistic goal "To lose 700 lbs in the next 30 days." One of these examples is the wiser and realistic goal! Be clear. Example: Map the plan to achieve that health and wellness goal, as in signing-up for a fitness class, making healthy meal choices, lose 5-10 lbs in next 6 weeks, getting more sleep, etc.

Believe in yourself. Yes, you can do this! If you had enough positivity and courage to list these goals, you have more than enough to stick with it! Speak kindly in words of affirmation to yourself. "I am smart. I am an overcomer. I am making progress. I am gonna hit that first goal!" 

Execute the plan. Don't forget where you put this plan. Keep it in front of you ...daily. Don't compare yourself to other people who accomplished their goals. If you can learn from them, that's great. Congratulate them. But, YOU have a smart plan for yourself. Work it.

"But, what if I mess up?" Again, let's not beat ourselves into a bloody puddle of worthlessness. Start from where you are and work the plan. Ask yourself if an adjustment is needed.

Celebrate Progress! It's ok to throw yourself a party! When you've worked hard toward that first short-term goal, toot your own horn! Hopefully there are positive people in your life who want to celebrate YOU!

As for how my goals are coming along... I'm working the plan and have had to make a necessary adjustment or two because life happens. Does this connect with you? Let me know, below!

December Advent Week 1

Monthly fitness or food or photo challenges have been part of my new lifestyle for the past couple of years. But, it's December and those of the childlike heart await the arrival of Christmas and Santa and presents. The only challenge is to not sneak a peek! There have been eleven challenging months. December needs no challenge. December is expectant. December is celebration. December is the crossing off of days to something grand!

I choose to mark the advent of Christmas and the New Year with words of importance and contemplating how I respond to those words, daily. Will you sit with me to mull these words? Will you allow them to unlock a puzzle box inside your spirit preparing you for the future?

If we should accidentally drop a day, we will not sweat it, but will turn around from our too-busy stride to reclaim the word and the beautiful gifts of God's thoughts He has waiting just for us.