I
have to say that over these past three days that my walking partners have
been absolutely motivating to me! It had gotten to the point that my joints
were stiffening up! "OH LORT," I thought. " I am not about to
sit down and stop now! I gotta get going!"
So
I made up my mind to move--to stretch out and warm up those stiff muscles! To
get out of my comfort zone. In a way, to stretch out past my own self-confining
limitations. There's still a lot of stuff that I need and want to do. Can't get it
done by idling sitting, or standing by, now can I?
I
had different walking partners this week, but we all shared a common bond--a
love for Christ! We love the Lord. And so we are sisters.
Last
night as we walked from my house to the walking trail, the thought came to me--amazing that one could come
considering the amount of oxygen being diverted to my lungs as I hassled for
the next precious gasp of air (smh)-- but the thought was that these women were exceptional women
in their own way, and I was blessed to be journeying with them. Each one was a
shining example of how different aspects of my own life could be improved!
Last night there was a group of us gals walking. We met at my house to walk to
a walking trail less than a mile from my house. There was a 78 year old lady
who I teamed up with because, you know, I figured we could lag behind the three
Speedy Gonzales' who had fire emitting from their tennis shoes!
We
did lag behind, but soon I was somewhat shamed. Here she was out, giving it her
all, and adamant about pressing on! I suggested we turn around early in our
trek, but she was steadfast. She said we could rest when we reached the walking
trail. Once we reached the trial, the other three championed me to jog and met
up with them, as Ms. Faye rested. The ladies that championed me on--a 44 year
old chic, who, at her age, decided to go back to school to get her nurse practitioner’s
license, what tenacity; a 58 year old woman who battled cancer, won and is
recovering from a very recent surgery, but was scooting it! She would have to
raise her arm as she scuttled to relieve the pressure, but it looked like she was
praising the Lord to me, and she truly was with every step she made, what
drive. Also in our pavement pounding posse' was a 44 year old single lady who is determined to raise her kids standing on
the principles of Christ, without compromise in today's world, what strength! And of course, there is the real
champion, the 78 year old spiritual
spit fire that rested but for a moment at that track, then made a round, before
heading back to my house while we girls made a few more rounds. What unfaltering
persistent resolution! That lady didn't fear the walk in the dark alone at all!
Without
question, if you were to ask where their tenacity, drive, strength and resolution, where those
qualities come from, they would be quick to say from a foundation built on the love
of Christ and his teachings. It would come from a faith built on the enduring
word of God and the promises that come with His word.
Success
comes in different shapes and forms for different people. My success hinges
inside the Bible, how often I open and close it to meditate on His words; my success lies in my heart- felt prayer
life, which is equally important-- for where my heart is, my mind will follow, and then
my actions. But my success also is in the people that I look at as examples of
how to do this thing that we call life! And God has blessed me with some
exceptional ones.
Oh,
they would deflect their role, as they have had their own struggles, but they unassumingly reflect
Christ in their walk, and that is undeniable! I so want my own walk to reflect His Spirit in everything that I do. So that is why I am pressing on.
And I encourage you to lace
up and keep moving toward the goal! You have an awesome prize that is waiting
for you.
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one
receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25Everyone
who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things." 1
Corinthians 9:24,25
Praying
for you and for me! Ashley
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