Strenth

You really don't know if you have it until you need it.  Strength is found in God.

1 Chronnicles 16:11
Seek the Lord and his strengh; seek his presence continually! 

Even in times of trouble there is no need to fear:

2 Timothy 1:7
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control.

In this strength there is hope:

Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

God is always there and ready to give His strength in every minute that you need it. 

I am thankful for God's strength.  His power to face everything that is ahead!

Lemonade

"We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us"
Joseph Campbell

"In this life
 we are all just walking up the mountain
 and we can sing as we climb
 or we can complain about our sore feet
 whichever we choose we still gotta do the hike
 I decided a long time ago singing made a lot more sense"

These quotes are on a dear friend of mine's Facebook page. 


We all hope for the perfect. We all plan for the best!  No one plans to get cancer, or to get layed off. No one plans a divorce or death of a child.  Often times we even get mad when "bad" things happen.  We ask things like...."Why did this happen to me?" "How did I deserve this?"
 
 Who said things were to be perfect?  In fact doesn't it say in the Bible that life is supposed to be hard?  God knows the plan.  Hard times, easy breezy times, in between times....all part of a plan. We can choose to be discouraged, downtrodden, and defeated.  Or we can choose to be brave, courageous, and determined, trusting at the end of this trial we wll be someone stronger. 

When life gives you lemons make lemonade........  I like lemonade :)


John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world"

Romans 8:28  "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Psalm 139:16  "You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.  Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. "

A Great Race!

Last Saturday was the Love Rox 1/2 Marathon.  We put aside our "fear" of running in cold, wet, rainy conditions and hit the trail! It was my friend's first 1/2 marathon and dispite the conditions she did have fun so this will not be her last 1/2! 

The harshness of the weather made me think of the race of our lives and how sometimes our lives can be tough.  Certainly tougher than running across an icy bridge with sleet beating on your face, chilling winds, and nothing to do about it but go forward.  Though I would have loved to not be running in those conditions, I was all ready "out" there.  No way to turn back.  Just stopping would have left me in the elements even longer.  Striving forwards however got me closer and closer to my goal- the finish line! In life just like a race, we can't just turn our backs on tough times.  We can't just quit. We have to strive forward.  Saturday I was thankful to have a friend running along with me, sharing in the agony, but then later in the joy of a race well run!  Just as in life I am thankful for the friends who are "running" along side me so we can lift, and encourage each other through our struggles.

Today,  I am thankful for my many friends.  Friends who encourage and help me to see goals I would have never dreamed could be accomplished.  Friends who pray for me, my children and for my marriage. Friends who laugh with me till we are almost in tears!  Some of these crazier friends will also arise predawn, and meet me for a run!  I am grateful to be in this race along with them.