When I finished the DM Marathon in 2010, I was barely across the finish line when I posted on Facebook... "I am a marathoner" I was so excited to be able to say that. It may have taken me almost 7 hours, but I still did it - 26.2 miles! Running has become an integral part of my life. I LOVE to run. I may be slow, but I love it. There is nothing like the adrenaline rush of going out and pushing myself beyond what I thought I could do. It's good for my health: physical, emotional, and spiritual; it's great to get out and enjoy the nature and beauty all around us; it's fun to participate in road races with other people and encourage each other along the way. But, at the end of the day, at the end of my life, do I really want people to say, "Sherri, yeah, she was a runner. She was a marathoner." "NO!"
At the end of the day, at the end of my life, I want people to say, "Sherri, yeah, she loved God. She was really kind, she was full of joy and peace."
More than anything I want my life to be remembered for being a follower
of Christ. I want His love to be so alive in me that it just overflows
in everything I say and do. I don't want to be defined by my running. I
want to be defined by the fruits of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23: "But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such
things there is no law."
Due to circumstances, some within my control, and some beyond my control my running has not gone how I have wanted this year. I had a lot of
goals set out before me and at the end of the year none of them will be
accomplished. I talked about these goals in a previous blog post: http://sherriadelman.blogspot.com/2012/07/failure-or-just-different-direction.html
Well, now I have walking pneumonia and at this point don't even know if I'll be able to do the 1/2 marathon I am registered for. I am planning on doing whatever I can training-wise between now and then and hopefully I will be able to do it. But, I have been reminded this week that no matter what - even if I don't do it, that isn't what defines me. I am a child of God, I am the daughter of the King. That is what defines me!
Pressing on with faith and hope,
Sherri
Beautifully said. I love that you are choosing to see the beauty in the struggle. God knows the plans He has for you. When we are busy making plans God is busy fulfilling His will. All we can do is walk by faith and know that He desires the best for us. :)
ReplyDeleteI pray your continued strength in the Lord. May His hands hold your heart and His arms embrace your soul.
You, sister, are a true blessing from the Lord! Thank you SO much for your prayers and encouragement! <3
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