Love to Run...Love XC

Cross country could quite possibly be the weirdest sport ever. In broad terms, these athletes run... all the time. Their goal is to run a 5k (3.1 miles) as fast as they can.

 

Sure.. I love to run. However, my love of cross country does not just come from the long runs and hard workouts. I love cross country because I have to push myself, as an individual, past my own limits.  Because setting a personal record is the best feeling after a hard race. Because I actually enjoy the annoying, loud screams and yells of encouragement. Because my team is a second family, and being around them makes me smile. Because at the starting line, when the nerves begin to take over, team prayer and encouragement brings everything back under control. Because even though everyone controls their own run, you run for your team... they need you.

Because underneath my own weakness, pain, tears and injuries, I am strong, and I love to run.

 

Maybe only XC runners can understand...

 

 

 

 

Running XC is a "scattering flowers" passion. Stay tuned for a "canoe eating" connection!

Blessings,

Lilly

 

In Awe

                                   

To hear an oriole sing May be a common thing, Or only a divine. It is not of the bird Who sings the same, unheard,  As unto crowd. The fashion of the ear Attireth that it hear In dun or fair. So whether it be rune,  Or whether it be none, Is of within; The “tune is in the tree,” The sceptic showeth me; “No, sir! In thee!” ~Emily Dickinson Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina  Painted Hills, Oregon Red River Gorge, Kentucky Tathra Beach, Australia Banff National Park, Canada

 "The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the sky proclaims the work of His hands."

Psalm 19:1

"For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse."

Romans 1:20

Scarlet to Snow

Forgiveness can be the hardest thing EVER.  However, when you get down to the root of your anger and let it go, forgiveness is freeing. 

I have had a rough time with forgiveness. There have been several instances that I have felt that people have wronged me. I felt that I was above these people and that they did not deserve to be treated well. In some situations, I didn't even realize that I was treating others so badly. 

Over the course of months, God has brought these feelings of hardness and hatred to my attention and urged me to seek reconciliation. From experience, I will tell you that I have NEVER been in more terrible situations. It is terrifying to open yourself up and say, "I'm sorry," or, "I forgive you." But, then again, doing the right thing is not always easy.

After the gut-wrenching apologies or acceptances, all the weight  from a situation is released from your heart and will leave you floating on air. God knows our hearts so well, and that is why He commanded us to forgive. 

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Ephesians 6:37

Forgiving or asking for forgiveness from others is as necessary as asking God for forgiveness. Our sins and wrongdoings upset God. However, our holy God is forgiving.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

1 John 1:9

 "He adds:

I will never again remember

their sins and their lawless acts."

Hebrews 10:17

"Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God, though we have rebelled against Him"

Daniel 9:9

“Come, let us discuss this,”

says the Lord.

“Though your sins are like scarlet,

they will be as white as snow;

though they are as red as crimson,

they will be like wool".

Isaiah 1:18

When we confess our sins to God, he throws them away and NEVER remembers them again. 

Forgive others and ask God to forgive you of your sins so that you will be transformed from scarlet to snow.

Blessings,

Lilly 

Light Up the Dark

"Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing."
 - Mother Teresa

"Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up."
 - Proverbs 12:25


"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."
  - Mark Twain

"Therefore, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."                                                                      
- Matthew 5:16                   

 Life is absolutely full of ups and downs and twists and turns. Life can be enjoyable, and, at other times, life can stink. In those stinky phases, (no, I am not talking about B.O.) don't be afraid to put a little optimism in your cheerios and let a light of kindness shine in you! On some days, the bag of optimism can be a little hard to lift, but have a positive mindset for yourself, and a willingness to spread a few smiles! This will not only positively influence your "stinky phase," but it will also spread some optimism into the lives of others as well. 

A great example of kindness shining through the dark are some of the children I met in Nairobi, Kenya, June 2013.

These kids are dirt covered and live in filth, they are never guaranteed enough food to eat (many kids that are fortunate enough to go to school only have a meal during the school day, which is in session 3 days a week...), they drink dirty water, and have raw sewage running through their streets, along with the chickens and pigs and mounds of trash.

However, these children wear the brightest smiles! They may be in poverty, but that does not dictate their willingness to work, learn, or play. They have a smile and an optimism that can cheer up a burdened heart.

Cheer up someone's heart with a kind word and a smile, today! Also, be thankful for those who have cheered up your heart. :)

Blessings,

Lilly