The Gift...

So I am running again!

I have always loved to exercise...

I know, I know...

but I have!

It was my time and how I de-stressed.

It is also when my mind would calm and I could actually take in some of the beauty that surrounded me and think!

Peace

I have always been very active but didn't start running until I was out of college and working.

I didn't start running actual road races until I was 30 years old and single and freaking out and needing to push myself out of my comfort zone a bit...

and after that very first race, I was hooked!

I would find local races on the weekends and as often as I could, I competed!

 I had not known that competitive side of me before and I was in the zone y'all...

and then in 1994 when I was  31 years old...

I ran a marathon!

It was grueling.

It was awesome...

and it ended my running for a very long time.

Shortly after the marathon, one of my sweet pups broke her leg.

Between the effects of the marathon and having to carry my sweet doggie up and down stairs...

my back waved the white flag of surrender and I was done...

until now!

This past fall, Christian and Charlie started running on their school's cross country team and I know I must have driven them completely crazy as I gave them tips and talked about my old races and pushed them to run even when they felt like being lazy.

 So for my birthday...

They got me a new pair of running shoes!

Sort of like, you talk the talk but can you walk the walk...

or in this case run the run??

I was up for the challenge but at that point Maggie and Lucy had only been home about a month, Hubby was working in a neighboring state and there was NO time for running, until...

Hubby was laid off and came home.

Now, don't get me wrong, I would rather Hubby have a job but I just love how the Lord uses these trials to bless us in ways that we would just never expect.

So now, after 19 years, at age 50, I am running again and I am running with my boys!

Now my wonderful Christian inherited a ton some of my competitiveness and when we run, he does not linger with his old Momma for very long.  He is usually done, back at the house, had time to shower, shave, dress and write a novel before I come huffing and puffing home!

Not really but you get the idea!

*grin*

My sweet Charlie, however, stays with me (and Sierra and Chewy)...

 and talks to me...

and it is AWESOME!

So, not only has the Lord provided the time and the energy for me to run again but He has also provided the time for me to be with my oldest two who will be grown and gone before I can finish lacing up those new running shoes!

Seriously...

where does the time go!

There have been many hard things about this bout of unemployment but there have also been many blessings, just as there have been many hard things about bringing our two newest sweeties home but but oh so many blessings and once again, just as I was nearing my limit, He showed up and gave me back something that gave me back my sanity... 

well most of it anyway!

But my God shall supply all your need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 

Thank you Lord for this season of learning and growing and loving and yep, even running!