It's not about me, it's all about You God!

I went to Des Moines to pick up my race packet and to the Sports Expo they hold for the marathon today. I am actually now EXCITED for Sunday. One of my best friends, Mary, went with me to pick up my packet. She, along with so many, have been so encouraging and have expressed such confidence in me and it really helped having her along for the ride down. We stopped at a booth at the Expo. "Team 413" - check out their ministry: http://www.team413.org/ I talked with the founder of the ministry, Chris Gillespie. This man has an obvious deep love for Christ. He shared with me something he posted on his facebook page this morning:

"Is your heart hurting from the circumstances in your life? Do you feel hopeless and helpless at this moment? As a Christian, God may be preparing you to do something very special and is teaching you to understand the heartaches of others. He may be instilling sympathy, empathy, and compassion within your heart and soul through your own pain and tears. Don't give up or give in -- sometimes we have to hit rock bottom in order to bounce back to be a greater influence for His Kingdom!" © GRACE-WORDS

WOW - that really hit me. It is my prayer that God uses the heartache and hopelessness I've experienced and gotten through by HIS grace to be able to help others. It is my prayer that God can use my pain and tears to reach others for Him. Chris also gave me a card which said:

"Sometimes running is easy, sometimes it's hard, and sometimes it is just drudgery! Yet, we keep running! And, so it should be with life. God never promised a life of ease. He never promised that everything would go exactly as you want. He promised to be there with you all along the way. If it is easy, hard, or drudgery, keep moving forward under His grace. He is with you!" © GRACE-WORDS

I've been doing a lot of thinking and praying the past few weeks. I've been trying to figure out why I put 50 lbs back on over the past year and how I let my exercise habits get so bad after doing so well and running/walking a marathon a year ago. I realized something big... for so long I've wanted to lose the weight and work out for me... because I wanted to feel better and look better. As I've been reading the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan in Sunday School I've been convicted that this life is NOT about me - it's about God and bringing honor and glory to Him. I became convicted that I need to get serious about losing the weight because it will honor God. My body is His temple and I WANT to honor Him with my whole life.

I'm excited about doing this 1/2 marathon on Sunday for many reasons. It is a testimony of all God has done in me over this past year. He has done so much healing in my heart and life. I do not feel physically capable to embark on this journey. However, I know that, as the theme verse of Team 413 ministry says, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." It is in HIS power that I will do this half marathon on Sunday... and it is in His power and His grace that I will seek to live each day!

A big thank you to all my wonderful friends and family who have supported, encouraged, and loved me - you are a wonderful gift and blessing in my life!!

Running the race in His grace and strength,

Sherri