running, on a fairly normal Saturday…

(a photo from our fairly normal Saturday morning)

Saturday began like most Saturdays.  Nothing too unusual.  Breakfast out, groceries, a bit of playing at the park with the kids – like I said normal.  Late in the afternoon I decided to go downstairs for a workout on my elliptical.  Its been so hot here over the summer that is where I have been running.

I began my running habit last spring.  At the time it seemed like a good idea.  I had no idea it would be such a struggle.  There have been so many benefits from my running – I feel great, I’ve dropped a pants size.  Yes, I’ve enjoyed the outcome.  And still, It is hard for me to continue.  The fact is : I don’t really like to exercise. It is hard.

This sounds a lot like another part of my life.  Not long before my running, I started another habit.  My blog.  A year ago this month, I began writing, here on Daily Portion.  Now, I actually love to write.  I didn’t know I did until I got going, but I do.  However, there are times that it is very hard to continue.  I mean, really hard. I’m sharing some of the deepest, darkest secrets of my heart, here, on the world wide web for anyone and everyone to see.  But, I’ve felt from the beginning, that it is what my Heavenly Father is asking of me, so I press on…

Back to my Saturday.  I hopped on my machine, with my earbuds in, and I began the warm-up.  My iPod shuffle was in rare form.  The workout began with a bit of Stevie Wonder’s “My Cherie Amour,” and then it jumped to some blues-y Stevie Ray Vaughn.  Around the thirty minute mark, when the running was getting a bit tough, you may not believe what happened…  Chris Tomlin came on belting out, “Your Grace is Enough.”  As I heard those words, the culmination of all my fears and concerns about my own inability bubbled to the surface – about running, about being a mom, a blogger, and anything else God has called me to do.  Right there on the elliptical machine.

…and I heard Him clearly say to me, above the noise of my worries and my earbuds, “My dear child, my grace is so much more than enough for you.  so much more.”

Have you ever wept while you’re trying to work out?

Inspired by His words to me, I kept going.  Next song up on the playlist, “I am a Friend of God.”  As I ran harder and longer, I marveled at the fact that He is my friend, that He calls me His friend… As I finished up my forty-five minute run, I realized something I’ve known in my head, but my heart had not remembered in a while.

The creator of the Universe is my friend, and HE has all the strength and grace for me to continue doing everything that is required.  for running.  for blogging.  for living.  And, He’s willing to remind me through my earbuds, in the middle of a run, on a Saturday that turned out to be not so normal after all.

Who doesn’t need to be reminded of these words from Psalm 84?

 ¹⁰ For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
¹¹ For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
The LORD will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly.

¹² O LORD of hosts,
Blessed is the man who trusts in You!

Heavenly Father.    I don’t deserve your friendship, or the grace that You give.  But I need it.  I can’t live without it.  Thank you.  thank you. thank you.

amen.