The Race

"Let us throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles, let us run with perserverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who, for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12: 1,2. I have been pondering this verse lately. I have it taped on my mirror so every morning I am reminded. It seems to sum up life so perfectly. It is a race. Throw off the crap that entangles you and holds you back, just fix your eyes on Jesus. He endured the cross, and now is seated at the right hand of God. Seems like a good reason to push through it all. The pain, the sin, the emptiness, everything. We will not be seated at the right hand of God, which is the highest honor. But we will be in the same house. That in and of itself is pretty amazing. "Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." 1Cor. 9:24-27 These scriptures inspire me incredibly. Life is not just a random sequence of events that we float through. There is a purpose. There is an end. There is a prize. Run the race. Train yourself. Live intentionally. Fix your eyes on Jesus. I am so encouraged tonight and inspired and in awe of God's word. I have been reading Andrew Prest's blog and it is soooo inspiring, and moving. Him and his wife Janet went to Woodland. He is not only writing about his life training, but also he is literally in training physically. The parallels are astounding. So the word of the day is inspiration. How often do you run aimlessly or beat the air? I know I do more than not. But God's love and grace are so extravagant, and it never changes. Fix your eyes on Jesus, friends. Run the race with perserverance. Taryn is doing amazing as usual. Jacci and Zach (did I spell it right this time?) came over Saturday and let Calvin and I go out for a much needed date night. We went to dinner and saw a movie. It was nice to be out with him. Then we came home and played Upwords and talked until 2am. It was such a fun day. I'm falling more and more in love with my daughter, if that is possible. Every moment I look at her I just want to will her my love. I want her know how much I love and cherish her. She is so beautiful. I am realizing that I must not let the little things go by unnoticed. Even feeding her, the sleepy eye rolls and yanking on my fingers and my watch are so prescious. It's amazing. She is such a happy baby, too. The only time she isn't content is when she's tired or hungry. What a blessing. She will be 5 months on Tuesday. It goes so fast. Calvin is starting his new job on Tuesday. I pray that he will enjoy it and be challenged. He is doing awesome in school, too. He has made it on the dean's list twice now. He works so hard, I am so proud of him. Well, love to all!