tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643801436725868019.post7537218586826821966..comments2013-09-04T06:24:47.120-04:00Comments on Flourishing Tree: Running rootsHope Squireshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03854876695296951117noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643801436725868019.post-28281575881447823252012-02-24T12:47:08.869-05:002012-02-24T12:47:08.869-05:00This is a lovely addition to the four lessons abov...This is a lovely addition to the four lessons above, and such an important one to learn, regardless of what we're attempting (running, writing, raising children). Thank you so much for your words and insights -- ones that I'm sure will run through my head as I'm out running on the trail.Hope Squireshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03854876695296951117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643801436725868019.post-44230398701533371832012-02-23T17:46:40.437-05:002012-02-23T17:46:40.437-05:00One other reflection on running the race that is s...One other reflection on running the race that is set before us. It may be too late for anyone to notice, but here it is. I'll call it #5 in order to add it to the excellent thoughts above:<br />5. Focus on right now<br />Jesus and others who speak to us through the Bible are very clear: We need to accept and appreciate where we are right now - today, this hour, this moment. <br />Don't worry about tomorrow, ... each day has enough troubles of its own. (Matthew 6:34) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Phillipians 4:6)<br /><br />I think that this lesson is crystal clear in the act of running. In the first couple of miles of a run, it is normal to feel sore, tired, sluggish, or just plain bad. Extrapolating those feelings, it is all too easy to talk oneself out of being bold and going on. Thoughts like "if I feel this bad now, just imagine how bad I will feel in four more miles" are incredibly misleading. Instead, what usually happens is that things get better and those early struggles fade away. <br /><br />Similarly, in the bigger picture, after the first time that you run 5 miles, which is a great accomplishment, running a half-marathon may seem impossible. And, in fact, it probably would be a bad idea to try and run another 8 miles right then. But, by adding a mile to your long run every week or so, you can comfortably do a half-marathon in a relatively short time. The important thing is to appreciate where you are in your journey -- everything is not supposed to come easily at one time. Today you ran longer than you ever have before and that is a really cool thing. <br /><br />So, as Hope is pursuing a marathon, the key is to do all of the right stuff to get ready. It's good that she is not ready to run a marathon today -- the race isn't for another four months. Instead, she is building toward a successful accomplishment.<br /><br />I think our life in Christ is like that: We have a task to perform today. Rather than get wrapped up in how much more God will expect tomorrow, next week, next year, or someday; I think that we are supposed to be obedient to His plans for us today. If I can appreciate what opportunities God has given me today and be obedient to Him, I will be that little bit closer toward fulfilling His will for my life.Chrishttp://brrunning.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643801436725868019.post-90751112409195271852012-02-02T15:01:29.833-05:002012-02-02T15:01:29.833-05:00Good stuff, Hope. I hope all this shows up in your...Good stuff, Hope. I hope all this shows up in your book. Excellent insight about water and rest. Amazing that you have already run half marathons and that you are planning to run a full one. I can hardly fathom that intensity. More power to you!Tracey Finckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05342418199408026790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643801436725868019.post-48188305727726262182012-02-02T10:55:51.321-05:002012-02-02T10:55:51.321-05:00Hi, Friends -- I wanted to share a video with you ...Hi, Friends -- I wanted to share a video with you about a girl who fell during a race but got up, prepared to finish the race -- not in her own strength, but in the Lord's strength.<br /><br />http://www.godvine.com/Christian-Athlete-Takes-a-Fall-But-Still-Wins-the-Race-378.htmlHope Squireshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03854876695296951117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643801436725868019.post-28544957587658369902012-02-02T10:54:40.074-05:002012-02-02T10:54:40.074-05:00Thanks, Shannon -- a good reminder that God will e...Thanks, Shannon -- a good reminder that God will enforce our need to rest if we don't make time ourselves. Blessings as you write!Hope Squireshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03854876695296951117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643801436725868019.post-18096660046666210352012-02-02T10:53:41.096-05:002012-02-02T10:53:41.096-05:00Know that you're not alone in this particular ...Know that you're not alone in this particular "marathon." I've spent many lunches with many friends listening to their attempts to get a baby to sleep in a crib through the night. Thanks for sharing your story here!Hope Squireshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03854876695296951117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643801436725868019.post-66381389888301008862012-02-01T20:43:11.949-05:002012-02-01T20:43:11.949-05:00Well, Hope, you are my "waterer" today! ...Well, Hope, you are my "waterer" today! God gave me several forced rest days this week, and the book I'm trying to write will have deeper roots because of it.Shannon @ Distracted by Prayerhttp://www.distractedbyprayer.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4643801436725868019.post-41872122665140564942012-02-01T19:47:49.314-05:002012-02-01T19:47:49.314-05:00I am still working on trying to get my son to slee...I am still working on trying to get my son to sleep better in his crib. I was just thinking today how it takes discipline...some nights I am tempted to bring him into my bed. Prayer and patience are also part of the journey as I watch him take baby steps towards sleeping through the night. He is teething and has increased his nursing, making it critical for me to drink more water. I'm not sure I have found that day of rest yet, but I did treat myself to a little tv today while he played with some toys.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com