“GOING THROUGH HELL WITH A SMILE!”
That’s where I want us all, that no matter the situation, the challenges, the difficulties, the frustrations, the hurts, the disappointments, and the stresses we face, we can walk with our heads extremely high, KNOWING that God, the Creator of the entire universe, will NEVER leave us or forsake us. It’s just for us to tap into His wisdom, strength, help, support, favor, generosity, love, approval, peace, joy, courage, and boldness to tackle our lives CONFIDENTLY with God as our intimate Partner and Guide on this beautiful adventure called life. GOD IS THE MEANING OF OUR COMPOSURE!!! HEEHAW!!!
“Don’t bother me, and I won’t bother you!” That was the deal with my sons yesterday because they don’t like me disturbing them when they’re playing their games, and I don’t like them asking me to cook (I ain’t that momma!). But my son Joshie kept coming to give me these long hugs and kisses the entire day. That made me extra grateful to God for His INTIMATE love and guidance for making yesterday possible. I kept thinking back to a question someone asked me some months ago. It really didn’t make sense, humanly speaking, what I wanted to do, but I was so happy I remained committed to obedience to God. Fast forward to this morning, that very conversation with that person showed up in my alone time with God (God knows every thought we think!)
“… disagreed with me on some plans, but I explained to him that I must be obedient to God. Even when He asks difficult things of me. I truly want to be EXTRA like Nora said in going the EXTRA mile in love, patience, kindness, loyalty, forgiveness, excellence, and being obedient to God and what He would have me do on a moment-by-moment basis. Kelly said to me, “Nikki, it is very clear that God has placed many angels around you to support you.” So, I want to be a walking billboard for this God who does EXTRA for me, reflecting His unconditional love by being His representative in the world, overcoming evil with LOTS OF GOOD, so help me, God! I promise you, a life guided by God CANNOT fail.”
I keep asking myself why I’m sticking with running these 3.11 miles every day (yesterday was supper rough!), but my running Coach, Angela, from the Nike Running Club app explained that the running wasn’t really about the run, but taking the lessons from our runs into our lives. Your girl who struggles to complete that run is being trained by God Himself on ENDURANCE, DOING HARD THINGS, and going the extra mile even when it’s rugged and tough, KNOWING GOD IS WITH US IN EVERY MOMENT, PROVIDING US WITH HIS SPECIAL STRENGTH TO KEEP GOING DESPITE HOW SITUATIONS MAY SEEM. Then, learning to find the joy and purpose in it all, AS WE DO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITIES OF WHATEVER GOD ASKS OF US, THEN TRUSTING GOD TO HANDLE THE REST! Wink! Wink! God, thank You for this lesson of endurance! The runs will continue!
WE CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH HIM WHO STRENGTHENS US.