Learning to be a Follower

Lately, James and I haven't been able to do much running or walking because we've both been adjusting to new schedules at school, work, and church.  But tonight he felt motivated to go for a jog and I was more than happy to throw on some ratty sweats and move out!!

  We did the first week of the C25K series and it felt really good to be running a little again.  I was breathing hard, my feet hurt, and I had a nagging stitch in my side most of the time, but it was great!! As I ran I was able to focus on my breathing, clear my mind, and just run for the sake of running.

  When James and I run together I tell him not to hold back and run with me because he can push harder than I can right now.  He is always great about walking, or even running, back to me during the walking portion of our outing, though.  During our running segments I enjoy watching him run and spending time alone with God.

Tonight, I asked Him specifically to show me something to help me through this rough patch of the last few weeks...I needed something I could learn from and apply to my life.  It didn't come like a lightening bolt, a light bulb, or even along with any light at all, for that matter.  

It came at the end of our run and it was getting dark.  We had just finished our last jogging portion and were doing a 5 min. cool down/walk back to the house.  James reached out and grabbed my hand and we tried to walk this way for a bit, but when you've just been running it's hard to get your gates matched up and arms swinging in unison so that it is comfortable.  

James has a shorter, faster gate while mine is longer and slower.  In order to walk together comfortably we need to match our inner hips/feet to be stepping at the same time so that our arms can swing in unison.  

As I did a little skip and worked my gate to match his it hit me.  I needed to be a good follower.  We didn't talk, we just walked together on the way home.  I concentrated hard on matching our gates and holding on to him.  It was lovely...

Sometimes we just need to sit back, slow down, and concentrate on someone else.  Especially in a marriage, it's important that we know our roles.  James is a leader, and in our marriage I wouldn't have it any other way.  I want to follow him because I trust him, but I don't want to just be drug along.  I want to follow well, concentrate and focus on him, and do what I can to be a help and not a hindrance.  

I want to apply the same principals to my relationship with God.  He has a plan, I don't need to go my own way and do my own thing, I need to concentrate on Him, study his movements and teachings, and follow as closely and harmoniously as possible to create the most good.  

Bathed in Prayer

Last night was the first night of our annual cookout in Smithville for North Lake Church.  We talked about faith, coming out of Sunday when Jamie introduced the subject, and about where we are in our personal walk of faith.  

Going around the group it varied from highs to lows, most of which was situational, but by the time it got to me I couldn't even come up with a good lie, which I wanted to desperately.  Instead, I sat there and cried.  

I told the group that a couple of months ago I had started studying James and I never got past verse 2-4 in chapter 1.  "Consider it all joy..." just ate at me.  In the last year and a half I have been at my absolute lowest and then found myself a little lower than the day before, and then lower and lower....you catch my drift?  I haven't felt real joy about much of anything in a very, very long time.  

I laid all this out before my friends, my church, the people I lean on, and they all sat there and let me cry.  My husband, my very sweet husband, reached over and held my hand while I cried and explained everything and how I had been feeling - hopeless and lost.  At the end of the discussion, after the last person had talked about their faith walk, and Jamie had started the discussion for this evening, Jamie asked them all to come and pray for me.  

I sat there in my camp chair, sobbing, while these people, who love my husband and I so very much, laid hands on me and prayed.  Prayed for my health, my level of joy, my feeling of hope, for strength, for the loneliness to leave, and just asked God to bless me.  

I still hurt, I'm still injured, but prayer has its power and I can feel hope.  Before I had dug down in the depression and pain so far that I had actually buried myself in it.  I've not been fully excavated but I can see light peeking through all the muck.  

Thank you, God, for putting James and I in the place and situation that we're in so that I could see Your mercies through these people.  I still have my Reason to Smile.

Deo Volente

Need a reason to smile?

Who doesn't?

We all need a reason to smile at least once a day so that we don't sink down into the doldrums of life.  Smiling boosts endorphins, self confidence, attractiveness, and energy levels.  It an help you live longer and you'll end up with "good" wrinkles in your graying years instead of frown lines, not to mention smiling lifts your facial structure making you appear younger!

Today I have many different reasons to cheese during the day, but here are a few.

I have an awesome job that I love more than any other job I have held or ever hoped to hold down.  I get to be creative every day and do something new every ten minutes!! As you may know I work for a florist in Gladstone (KC) Missouri.  If you're ever needing an arrangement, please place your needs in our capable hands.

Another reason I have to smile is my husband.  James is a light in every day.  I enjoy his company, his intelligence, the way he leads our relationship, and that he works so hard for us.  I love him more and more every day.

Finally, a reason to smile is my best friend.  He has been with me through thick and thin; held my hand when I couldn't stand on my own two feet and was there for me even when I didn't pay any attention to him.  I have not been the friend to him that I need to be, but I am working harder and harder every day to make Jesus not only a larger part of my every day life, but the most important part of my every day life.  Thank You, Jesus, for saving me from myself.

What are your reasons to smile today?  If I haven't given you enough already then try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It's hard. When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that "Life is Good!" Stay away from depression, stress and worry by smiling. Smiling is contagious, so go spread those smiley germs!!!