The Moment Looks Good, but Eternity is Better

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Not meaning to quote R-Swift, That Girl, which I heard this morning then used it for the title not even meaning to...wow, the little ways God brings things to you!

I don't know how else to put it except that life has been so wonderful lately. It is only two weeks into the year, and it has already been one of the best years of my life. There hasn't been anything big happen, just lots of small, yet meaningful and enjoyable things. I'm just daily in awe of the little blessings God is giving me. I keep a Word document of the things that stand out to me as messages from God, and it is awesome to keep note of. I might write a book one day, kind of like Chicken Soup and The Little Cabin on the Trail. 

I've been wanting to blog so many things for a while now, but honestly didn't know where to start I'm so behind, but today I just told myself to do this one. To begin, yes I am a communications major and full of words as it is, but there are times I get frustrated with this because there are just not words accurate enough to describe things God puts in my heart, but that's part of the mystery and beauty of who He is.

In these past couple weeks I have really come to see how great the past few years have come to be. No, they were not at all great in themselves, but where I am now is great, and I am made by everything that has happened to me. Both Pastor Dean's sermon and the video from Passion we watched in Sunday School today were right in line with all of this. I am amazed at how much more and more God connects things throughout daily life. (Is He doing more, or am I more open to seeing them?) 

In Pastor Dean's sermon he referenced a passage that I had just done a couple days ago in my daily devotion, Philippians 3:13-14. I have a hard time sometimes thinking about my past and all the heartache and the mistakes I made, but I do not have to be bound by that. This passage and the words of our pastor encourage us to not be held back by the things in our past but to move forward, trusting God with our future. 

The message we watched from Passion was spoken by Levi Lusko, a guy that I had heard brief clips of on KLove but never longer sermons or seen him. He is an awesome guy and probably now one of my favorite speakers ever. God has given him a way of holding attention and spreading the good news. This message he titled "Kicking the Bucket List." Well that stood out to me right off the bat because I am the kind of person who makes lists everywhere of everything I need and want to do. Not that we should not set goals, but we shouldn't be so caught up in them, making life about always striving to do bigger and better things. 

The focus passage he used was 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (see bottom of page for verses), one that I have used a lot in the past going through hard times, but this brought me to look at it from the other side, too. Then I would use it to help me through trouble knowing that there were better things ahead. Now, as things are going well, it helps me to stay humble and not get caught up in things, remembering that there are even greater things ahead. "The more you look forward to the next life, the less you will need from this world" was his summary of the message. Knowing the greatness of heaven awaits allows us to live now in service, perseverance, and enjoyment of each day where God has us. Instead of always striving for more, we can enjoy the simple blessings He has given us right here. This has been one of the biggest things of my life that I have been overflowing with joy and contentment in. I thank God everyday for the little things I am currently able to enjoy. My life is nothing special, but at the same time, it is because God has made it so.

A question he asked that was a challenge to me, and likely almost everyone in this day and time was, "Would you still do it if you couldn't brag or post about it?" Hm. I love to share the things I do, but I need to watch my heart that I am sharing things to show the good that God is doing, not to make myself look good or feel better. We are called to be good at what God has called us individually to do, not in comparison to others. Colossians 3:17 says to do whatever we do to the glory of God. 

I also struggle from FOMO, fear of missing out, and multitasking, another part of my nature to do, do, do, but focusing on what God has for me helps me be content with less. Levi continued on these things (and my life) with living simply, quality over quantity, and being content. These are times I giggle to myself because God told me that, too, and now here He is, telling me again through another person. I have this renewed desire to simplify my life. I get stressed out when there are too many things, whether it be my schedule, my to-do list, or stuff on my desk or laying in the floor, and I have found much more peace when I clean things out. I don't need so many different things going on but just enough things that are meaningful. As Christmas break is ending, I am finally getting to the things that I had saved for when I got slowed down. Sometimes I have to get rid of distractions so I can focus on better things. For me, this has been everything from going through a stack of comics on the table, finishing a bottle of body wash, letting Mom do more of my grocery shopping, going slower on Bible studies when they are good and not doing a certain amount each day, to finishing a bag of cookies, among more. 

I now have a job, am about to start second semester classes and an internship and possibly another job, and I babysit. All these are new within the past month-ish. So many new things, and a new fire in my heart to serve God with it all. I have lots of goals and dreams, but I am not set on them anymore. I don't expect things to happen. The past has taught me that. Only God is certain. I thought it was awesome when Levi closed up the message with a reference to Psalm 37:4, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." I had just told myself this a few days ago because I am simply joyful in daily life, which is a gift from God. That's all I really want in life, to enjoy wherever I am. He said, "Don't follow your dreams; follow God, and He will give you the desires of your heart." I have been through a lot of good and bad, but the best comes when I let go and let God take control. In the car after a slightly stressful night at work last night, the song Control by Tenth Avenue North on the radio brought me to tears.

God, You don't need me, but somehow You want me

Oh, how You love me, somehow that frees me

To take my hands off of my life and the way it should go

God, You don't need me, but somehow You want me

Oh, how You love me, somehow that frees me

To open my hands up and give You control

I've had plans shattered and broken

Things I have hoped in, fall through my hands

You have plans to redeem and restore me

You're behind and before me

Oh, help me believe

You want me

The King of Heaven wants me

So this world has lost its grip on me 

****

Philippians 3:13-14 "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

It's Race Day, Race Day, Gotta Run Fast on Race Day..

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A little "run down" of what goes down on a home race day. 

I sleep in a little more...and run less. 

I also get my dinner ready to warm up as soon as I get home since it will be so late. 

 

This is what I had for lunch-toaster waffle with blackberry jam, blueberries, and strawberries. I have coffee at school every day, too.

Ya know, just some more evidence of my gift...

I tried a new protein bar and loved it!  It was the Picky Bars Smooth Caffinator.

I love to participate in contests and projects, so I did this one for Camelbak's #LivingColorful and to remind my team to hydrate!

Another new thing I tried before this race was the same brand of drink mix that I've been using when it's been more humid and I sweat more, but the kind with caffeine! I don't know if I even drank enough to make a difference, but it tasted good.

Before our first home meet, things are busy. We do team and individual pictures as well as take pictures with every single banner from each sponsor to send them a thank you. 

We start warming up about an hour before race time, make final bathroom breaks, and change shoes before heading to the line around 15 minutes before where we do strides, team prayer, and our cheer. At this meet Coach Burroughs sang the national anthem and our area FCA leader led us all in a prayer. Coach Farmer is the starter!  (Should we trust him with a gun?)

Our 5k course:  

I'd say it would compare to any of the toughest high school courses you would find anywhere. If you know anything about course record times, my old record was 19:40 (However I've lowered it to 18:38). It's tough, hilly, rocky, and rooty, but I love the challenge. We tell our new girls that if they can race our home course, they can make it anywhere. 

Flat, open start, a loop through/around some trees, the mile loop, a little flat area past the campground, cross the road and onto Old Wagon where there are little spectators but big hills. The two mile mark is at the top of a long, gradual hill about halfway through. After another half mile comes the toughest hills, a short and steep one and a long and steep one. But this is my favorite part!  It's up that hill and you're on the downhill stretch--literally!  You go down the big hill and it flattens out!  From there you run to the 3 mile marker, round the corner, and to the finish!

We are also lucky not only to have the park to practice and host races, but to have an official timing system, too!  We also have some pretty great music, and having a great race makes me want to dance; dance is what I did (just a little after I caught my breath and legs). 

Farmer likes to do his races a little different order than most, where the boys race first. His logic is that they run faster so they'll all finish sooner so the girls can start sooner. (This helps even more at our second home meet because middle school races two 2-mile races after us, followed by an elementary 1-mile race that I get the joy of leading!  It really hurts me trying to run after a race, even after a cool down, but that's just what happens! Racing hard is brutal on a body!  However, I get a big head start and just show them where to go. By the end when they pass me I just tell them where to go.)

That was the race from more of an outsider's perspective, so here it is from a runner.  I won't give too much detail, because running and racing is just something that you can't understand unless you actually do it.

Before races, I am never sure how things will go.  Like James 4:14 says, "You do not even know what will happen tomorrow..."  I always make time to read some scriptures and pray before every race to give me some peace and focus for what I am about to do.  Before this race, I read Psalm 37.  A couple verses from there that stood out were the first words:  "Do not fret..." because I was a little nervous for this first race.  Verse 4 is also one of my all-time favorites:  "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."

 

  I also wrote 1 Peter 4:11 on my lower leg to remind me that I have to do this with His strength because I literally have none.  Especially with anemia, I have no energy except that that God fills me with.  Then because it is all from Him, it is all for Him.  The result is to use His strength to proclaim that strength.

  This is my calling.  Each race is an opportunity to use my gifts.  Whether I win or lose, feel good or miserable, if I have done my best, the result is God's plan.  I am to use every step to shine for Him.  Win, I praise Him.  Lose, I praise Him.  Racing is not easy.  Start lines are the scariest part.  Hearing that gun go off and the stampede of runners taking off in that first speed out is a bit intimidating!  There are so many bodies all heading for the same place as the trail narrows; I am always relieved when this part is over. 

 

Throughout races, I pray, sing bits of songs, and remember Bible verses.  Some particular to this race were from the Psalms passage, verse 24, "though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand," and the Bible Gateway verse of the day from the day before from Psalm 119:165, "Great peace have they who love Your law, and nothing can make them stumble."  Though I did stumble a few times, literally, I did not fall!  And though I have my fears and failures, God never lets me fall.

The song that was in my head was "Lord I Need You" 

Races seem to fly by so fast!  The great ones especially.  This night was one of those.  When I have a run where I feel so free and flying and joyful, it is truly a gift from God.  I was so excited and thankful crossing that finish line, feeling better than I had since last season, relieved to have my first race this season done, I was filled with joy to the point of tears!

I have become so attached to my teammates!  They truly are my best friends. These two have been with me running since 6th grade, and Katlyn has been with me since kindergarten. Now we're seniors. We are so much more mature and have been through so much, but we are so thankful to have each other through the struggles. Each struggle is unique, but we can all relate. We are so pumped to be here in this season.
On Monday, we didn't all 3 plan to dress up, but since we did, I wanted to get a pretty picture of us.  Then we decided that we needed one just like it in our uniforms before the race and our first-team shirts after the race.  Again, there through it all!

Not to brag, just honestly what happens, I can't name a Panther Creek race where we didn't get a perfect score.

Farmer always picks out different colored first and second team all-meet shirts to give out to the top and second seven finishers. The individual winner gets a nice embroidered polo (one year was sweatshirts), and the top teams get plaques. 

After awards and pictures, it's time to head up the hill to the parking lot and back home!

It's late. No shower before dinner these nights.  I threw my leftover bows in the microwave and whipped up some dessert, finally cleaning up around 9:30. Now I still had to unpack and repack for school, do some work, and shower before bed. I love my sleep but race nights are just one of those times I am up late!

It may seem like a long day, but it flies by. 

I love it. 

There really is nothing like cross country season.