Reading those words from my brother/angel, Kevin, under my God tree this morning made me so happy! I stick with this verse:

“The Lord says, “I will make you wise and show you where to go.

I will guide you and watch over you.” – Psalm 32:8

God has been the beautiful guide of my life, let me tell ya! Like if you’re not walking with Him all day, every day, you are missing out! THIS LIFE IS TOO DIFFICULT TO DO WITHOUT HIM!!! On the way to work today, I played this song that God is singing to all of us:

“I must make you understand

I want to be your Man (I wanna be your Man)” – Zapp

God goes to great extents to make me aware of His invisible Presence with me. Like I’m really taking charge of our car dealership, where I personally drive all the vehicles home to make sure they are ready before selling. Yesterday, after constantly arguing with my daughter, Ember, about who is God’s fav, I was listening to a CD left in the car by the previous owner, and it incredibly said this in CD 11, track 17:

“This is dedicated to My favorite girl (Wink! Wink!)”

And the fact that it was song 11/17 was added confirmation because whenever I see 11 and 7 together, it’s my sign from God that His invisible Presence is always with me.

My Nike Run today was about running for more joy. We are to be filled with joy so we can spread that joy to the world. I took that as a personal mission from God! I must show up as my most joyful self and spread that joy to you. God’s rockstar! This life is rough, but this was God’s message under the tree today:

“What then will the cross be for us? Look: what do you find most difficult in your everyday life? Well, that’s the Redeemer’s cross for you. Those tough temptations you meet, your ill health, your heavy demanding work, the defects of the people among whom you live, who hurt you…. Have supernatural outlook! All this, for you, is the cross of Christ…CARRY IT JOYFULLY, LOVINGLY. Carry it generously and you will learn to hide it from those around you, as you would hide a treasure. Hide it behind a generous smile and you will discover in the depths of your soul, what our Lord’s words mean when he says, ‘My yoke is easy and my burden is light’ (Mt 11:30); for he, the good Cyrenean of souls will help you carry it.” – Jesus As Friend by Salvatore Canals

Got that guys?!? God is available to help us carry our crosses (whatever they are!). Kevin tells me my cross is a spec of a cross compared with other people’s crosses! So, I run with that! I carry my spec of a cross joyfully on behalf of God with the hopes that my life will glorify Him. That you will ask God to be your Man where you are going to Him in the 1,000 decisions you make every day, too. I’m not going to lie to you, this one continually question has guided my life to a great place:

“God, what would You have me to do here?”

Even when it’s difficult, I stick with God, and He EXCEEDS my expectations! I was bragging to my friend, Marcie, on my run today: “We did it! Two daughters to top universities in New York in one year! That’s how we do, baby!” Now it’s the boys turn! Yesterday Joshie’s friends asked him why I sent him to school sick. He responded, “She doesn’t care!” Emmie is here at work with me upset that I’m upset that his grades are currently reflecting two B’s. Homie, doesn’t play that! I need all A’s!!!

I really have to thank our friend, Ceri, who made one crucial statement to me one day: ‘You have kids.” I took that as meaning that the sad, emotional, crazy lady needed to say bye, and the strong, focused, mature, handling her business woman needed to come out. Today on that run, I wore my greatest of all time (GOAT) shirt, meaning I’m going for God’s top prize of being the best wife, mother, and person He would have me to be. When I die, I imagine Him saying, “Well done my good and faithful servant.’ May God help us all!!!

“I will seek to honor God, obey His word, and do His will.” – Courageous