This post originally appeared at Lindsaylens.com on 1/16/2016. Last weekend I had the opportunity to run my first half-marathon since my youngest child was born.
It was actually my first in several years, as I had focused on the marathon distance for the couple of years before she came along. A race is always an adventure and this one proved no different—I spiked a fever the night before, we had to detour around an interstate shutdown on the way there, and the course went through some last minute changes due to flooding of the Chattahoochee River. But at 8 AM my friends Katie, Stephen and I lined up with about 1100 other runners in downtown Columbus, Georgia, to complete the 13.1 mile trek. Now, running and I have a ‘for better or worse’ relationship, and for the last two years we have been in a ‘for worse’ rut. Due to an injury, the pregnancy, and a baby who doesn’t sleep well, I feel like I’m doing more slogging than running at the moment. But I had a plan for this race and I was excited to execute it. I would be solidly middle-to-back-of the pack, chasing the 2:20 pace group and intentionally reserving energy to run slightly faster in the second half of the race. The first six miles went by uneventfully as we ran through a spitting rain from downtown Columbus to the river and along a trail headed south until the turnaround point. The trail was still muddy, and the scenery was nondescript. A few miles in we slower runners got to see the leaders of the race go by, and that is always energizing to me. They are amazing to watch, both in form and in strategy as they challenge each other to run fast but not peter out. At this point I was doing okay--not loving the run, but resigned to doing the distance. Then, after seeing Katie pass me headed north, spotting Stephen just before making the turn, and running back through the worst of the mud on the trail, I spotted an older gentleman sitting on a bench, covered in mud. He was with a younger man who seemed concerned. I ran past, slowed, and turned around. “Do you need a phone?” Yes, they did. The older man had fallen and thought he’d dislocated his shoulder. Long story short, I called 911, hollered at a pace group leader to tell race officials we needed help, and waited till the medical staff arrived. I told the EMS operator where to meet them, hung up, and started back to running. This all took no longer than 7 minutes by my calculation, but in that short time I got pretty cold, and it was just long enough that my running mojo was just…shot. The 2:20 pace group was long gone. It was the 2:30 pacer I’d asked to help us, and they were far in the distance as well. My goal was gone, and I’d lost my motivation. I spent miles talking myself out of quitting the race. Finishing would be winning today. But then I noticed something. I was now solidly in the back of the pack, and I had lots of time to observe the people I was running with. There was a sharp contrast to the gazelles I had seen run by earlier on their way to victory. The leaders are focused on winning, and you can see it in their faces and their body language. They are amazing, and their stories are generally of long hours of dedication and hard work, with support from coaches or family or both. They work hard, and it’s obvious to everyone because they are at the front. The back of the pack? Well, these are the people who are just glad they are out there. Their stories (mine too) are often of a lifetime of bad, unhealthy choices followed by realization of the possibility of a better life. They work hard, harder than they ever have, and they will never receive any glory for it. But, oh, they are smiling and they are proud, and they want everyone to join them in that. There was one lady who wasn’t doing much more than a jaunty speedwalk. But she was high-fiving everyone she passed and flashing a smile that stood in direct contrast to the dreary weather. Before the turnaround on the north side, during another spot where the faster runners were on the trail going opposite us, I chatted up another woman who told me she’d started running at 49 and wanted to inspire her family to change their lifestyle. She, the slower runner, was the one encouraging those who were going minutes per mile faster than she on the other side of the trail. There were several sets of friends running, helping each other through the race. I saw young runners, older runners, heavy runners and lean runners. Some seemed pained, many seemed tired, but when I smiled at or spoke to them, they all smiled back. I think they’d all tell you that the accomplishment of finishing was worth the pain it took to get there. I tell you all this to say… there is a spiritual connection there. Maybe you are a back of the pack runner in the race to heaven. Maybe you just feel that way today, because you are disappointed or depressed or discouraged. It’s okay. Stay headed in the right direction. The Hebrew writer does not say “Let us run with swiftness, style, and beautiful form!” The key word in Hebrews 12:1 is endurance. Keep going.
We are all struggling. We all have a reason to keep fighting. We all serve a God who wants us to make it across the finish line. So lay aside whatever is holding you back, lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees (Heb. 12:12), and run toward Him. “Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4
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Written by a Sister of the Church of Christ in Piscataway, New Jersey Most people can look back on their childhood and feel that they missed out on some helpful life lessons.
They may have learned in a painful or even embarrassing way, that: “It’s not all about you,” or “You can’t always get what you want,” or “You can’t please everyone.” If asked, people would probably say they have wished many times over that they had learned more of life’s lessons when they were young. Although I feel inadequate at times, I know that there are many things that I learned as a child that I have carried into adulthood, and those lessons have stood me in good stead. That’s the benefit of learning something as a child; it can be used from then on and, most importantly, it can save adults a lot of pain and sorrow by preventing them from acting in embarrassing or harmful ways. One of life’s lessons I learned and which has been helpful to me is, “Be grateful for what you have.” How sad it is that some, even Christians, are not able to see how blessed they really are. Do they have a family? friends? church family? home? car? job? As you can imagine, the list can go on and on. Who is our supreme example of gratitude? Of course; it is Jesus. Though all things were made through Him (Jn. 1:3), He offered up thanksgiving to the Father on more than one occasion (Matt. 15:36; 26:26,27; Lk. 10:21; Jn. 11:41-44). He used a Samaritan leper to praise the grateful person and, by implication, condemn those who were not (Lk. 17:11-19). If He, though God in the flesh, felt the need to be grateful, why should it be any different for us? Once a person realizes how much he has to be grateful for, how should he express that gratitude? It’s probably not that people don’t recognize what they have to be grateful for; they just either fail to be grateful or they don’t know how to express it. When someone is kind or helpful to you, take the time to express your thankfulness. It doesn’t cost anything to say, “thank you.” A written note is even better. If the giver took a lot of time to shop, wrap, and give you a gift using their hard-earned money, is it such a burden to write a thank-you note? If they spent time cooking or baking something for you in your time of need, shouldn’t you at least take the time to express your feelings in a tangible way? It seems that society in general has forgotten the art of the thank-you note. Is it going the way of the dinosaur? It shouldn’t, if one is a Christian. Though the author’s focus has been on physical blessings and our gratitude for them, the more important blessing for which we have to be thankful is salvation through Jesus Christ. How we live in this life is important, yes, but it is only important to the extent that it leads us to eternal life. Paul told his readers, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thess. 5:18). How could Paul truthfully say this? Everything? Was he thankful for the beatings, stoning, imprisonments, hunger, thirst, cold, shipwrecks, and other dangers he suffered after becoming a Christian? Yes, he could be thankful for all the evil that befell him because he had something that compensated him for all those things – salvation (Rom. 8:31-39). What about you? Are you thankful for the good things that have come from God? How about the burdens? If not, start today with acknowledging how blessed you have been with good things. Thank those who have blessed you. Understand that burdens can also be a blessing if they lead you to a better appreciation for what you can have as a child of God - salvation that leads to eternal life. by Tamula Tucker Westend Church of Christ Louisville, Kentucky My Special Remarks Written for My Lovey on 10/25/2019 That I Read At his Funeral Titled: "God Granted Me That"
I asked God, four requests when he was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2010. First that he "Remember Me" or at least how my touch would bring him comfort...God Granted Me That ! Second that he wouldn't get that Death Rattle or gurgle in the throat, when his body is dying and loses its ability to swallow. That Sound is so unnerving and intense ....God Granted Me That ! Third that I would be by his side to comfort him on his final Breath. That his home going would be special for me... God Granted Me That ! I decided to stay home from work last minute on Monday Oct 21, 2019 because my Sister Rita was having a Pet Test but I found out she had already gone with her husband. Then Mama said her chest was hurting and she was going to the Intermediate Care Center. I said I would drive her, but she insisted I stay Home with Tim A.K.A Lovey and she went alone. She found out that they thought she had pneumonia and sent her to the hospital where she was admitted. I had my Aide Christy there from 9-1pm on that Monday. I stepped out to handle some business about the last hour of her shift and I returned to find Lovey breathing heavy and called Hospice who began the morphine, but as the day progressed he got worst. No medicine they gave him seem to help and my main concern was for his comfort . I ended up calling Hospice again in the early hours of Tuesday Oct 22, 2019, telling them twice to increase his medicine. They added an additional med for him which produced a small change. On their second call, they instructed me to do meds every 2 hours as needed. I said its needed, cause his breathing is uncomfortable . Now the Hospice Nurse told me he had about two weeks left, but I thought he can't go on like this with no food or water. So at 7am, I gave his meds and noticed his chest was beating slower and he had eyes open more, which had been closed mostly and now looked more relaxed. I made a video on my phone and gave him words of comfort. The Room was dim, with only a nite light that shone a Beautiful heart of colors on the ceiling. A serene and beautiful scene, just he and I. I started the video about 7:21am, stroking his face and hands and he seemed to be listening while lying on his side facing Me. I told him My Love for him and that the Angels were ready to carry him home. How I appreciated the love he shown and told me for 37 years and how he has made me feel beautiful, appreciated and wanted. I told him to tell love ones along with our Son, "hello" and to save me a seat next to him. etc. At 7:25am, I finished the video and before I could put the phone down, he made a deep gasp with open eyes, and I said to him, " Lovey you gone , Lovey you gone". I looked down at his still chest " My Precious lovey was Gone" ! I was crying but still showing my care for my beloved husband by closing his eyes, removing his pillows and stretching out his body and folding his hands to help with rigor mortis . I made numerous calls : to Kim our daughter, my two aides, some family and lastly Hospice....God Granted Me That ! What an Awesome God we Serve! My last Request was to give me Strength to endure his passing and be OK but knowing he would always be a part of me and irreplaceable. I prayed don't let him suffer long and it has only been in the last three months that I have experienced a huge decline. Even though he couldn't talk for quite a while, he still had a few words or funny things he would say or do on his good days. I took him everywhere in his wheelchair after he couldn't walk anymore because he broke his hip a second time. His spirit stood high and he never complained. He once said,' Getting old wasn't for sissys' ! I replied, " For Better or Worst and Sickness and in health....I do" and did. But God gets all the glory, because He carried me through it all. Thank You Lord ! Tim and Tam Forever By Dianne B.Blakley (Member of the Northside Church of Christ - Conway, AR) We all experience anxiety at some point in our lives. As women we try to juggle all the different roles in our life and at times feeling like we have fallen short. I can personally say it has happen to me on many occasions.
But as I study and meditate on God’s word, I have decided to “Pray More Worry Less”. There are many comforting verses in the Bible on anxiety. Consider 1 Peter 5:7 "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you" My personal favorite is, Philippians 4:6-7, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." In closing, my prayer is that this will edify my sisters in Christ. And if you are not a member of the body of Christ, my prayer is that your heart and mind will be open to seek what is needed for your Salvation, for the door is always open. If you live in the Philadelphia area, I encourage you to contact the Mt. Airy church of Christ to study and learn about God. If you live in the Conway Arkansas area, I encourage you to contact the Northside church where I worship. We will be happy to assist you. And if you need information for church locations in other states, let us know. We will help you locate a church of Christ. by Lindsay Li Soumar (Member of the Mt Airy church of Christ) When I was asked a month ago to write on this topic: “what do you want to tell women as a woman?” I thought that it is a very interesting subject, since I never thought about this until just now. What do I really want to say to people like me: a woman, a scientist, a wife, a mother, and, most importantly, a Christian? First of all, I feel so grateful for this opportunity to write my thoughts and even to share them publicly. About 100 years ago women couldn’t have imagined getting the opportunities we have today. All of these have come from many different women’s rights movements. We have fought hard to obtain those opportunities and equalities. Suddenly, this came to my mind: women are powerful, intelligent, brave, and independent. In today’s society, women have not only been identified as mothers, but as presidents, CEOs, Nobel prize winners, doctors, lawyers, scientists, etc. We don’t stop showing people our talents and leaderships that influence our colleagues, friends, husbands, children, and the world at every corner. However, God has taught us to be mindful of the influences we make, for they can have significant consequences, good or bad.
In the book of Genesis, the very first woman that God created, Eve, successfully enticed her husband Adam to eat the forbidden fruit. As a result, we forever lost our place walking with God and forever gained the pain in childbirth. The book of 1 Kings 16-22 tells us about Jezebel, the wife of king Ahab, who was a princess and later a queen. She was a very powerful and intelligent woman, but she used her power and intelligence to steer her reckless husband Ahab to commit atrocities against God and man. She enticed him to murder innocent people and prophets and to worship false gods. Her intelligence and power over her useless, timid, and indecisive husband have led to both of their bitter ends and forever earned Ahab a place as one of the most wicked kings to reign over Israel. Her wickedness has arguably made the name Jezebel a common noun for evil and wickedness. In contrast, the book of 1 Samuel tells us of Abigail, wife of Nabal, who used her words and actions powerfully and carefully. She placated David and convinced him to spare her husband Nabals life when David was ready to destroy him for the ingratitude and contempt he showed to God’s elect. Book of Judges 4-5 records of a judge and prophetess Deborah. Deborah judged Israel at the time when the people turned from the Lord and He gave them over into the Canaanite oppression. The Israelites cried out to the Lord for deliverance and Deborah dispatched Barak to fight the Canaanites, assuring him that the Lord will deliver the Canaanite army into his hands (1 Judges 4:6-7). When Barak hesitated and declared that he won’t go unless Deborah joins him, she agreed and accompanied Barak into the battle (1 Judges 4:8-9). It took a courageous and faithful woman, grounded in the Lord and His promises, to deliver the Israelites from their oppressors and to give land rest for the next 40 years. Eve, Jezebel, Abigail, and Deborah were very powerful, intelligent, brave, and independent women. However, their actions earned these women very different reputations, and their influences effected very different consequences on the people around them. What I really want to you tell you today is this: we ARE just as powerful, intelligent, and brave as all the famous (or infamous) women in the Bible. However, God has shown us the examples and wisdom to make the right decisions and to be positive influences on our friends, coworkers, children, husband… anyone around us. Let us wield our “powers” wisely and be the godly women our Lord would want us to be. by Ye Bao Stoa Member of Mt airy church of Christ Philadelphia PA As women, most of us (single or married) crave love, which is not surprising as it is consistent with what the Bible says in Genesis 3:16 “To the woman God said, your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” To us, love symbolizes security, protection, comfort, and approval.
When I was single looking for a husband, whenever I met a decent single Christian man, I couldn’t help but wonder “is he the One?” But time and time again, hopes ended in disappointment and I was getting anxious. One day I was discussing my seemingly hopeless situation with another Christian woman and suddenly it hit me like a lightning bolt, Revelation 2:4 “But I (God) have this against you, that you have left your first love”, that I have fallen away from my first love, the Lord! I let the worries of this world (finding a spouse, job, money) choke out my love for the Lord Jesus. After this shocking realization, I recalibrated my purpose for life and focused my love on the Lord through Bible reading, prayers, and Bible studies with other fellow Christians, and how sweet the time that I spent with the Lord felt. So woman to woman, KEEP JESUS as YOUR FIRST LOVE. Men will not save you but only God can and He will give you an abundant life. My love story has a happy ending later – Mr. Right found me in the church and we are happily married, proving yet again God’s infinite wisdom through Matthew 6:33 “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added onto you.” |
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