December 2012 – A Seasoned Journey

God is amazing isn’t He?
Why?
He doesn’t need a why, He just is!

In the deepest heart of every person God planted a longing for Himself, as He is: a God of love. – Eugenia Price

A baby changes everything! … Amazing LOVE. A priceless gift: Life! A simple birth.

Sigh…another Christmas has come and gone, too quickly. All aspirations of enjoying this festive season, the gatherings, the lights, the baking (okay, so maybe the thought of baking), seemingly vanished overnight. I’m sorry but did life happen while I was doing life?

The lessons continue…

The decorations are carefully stored for next year’s retrieval. Out of sight and out of mind I say. However, as I think on that statement, is that truly how I want to live my life in 2013. Out of sight, out of mind…doing life and missing it?

The answer…No!

This I know, life must be lived on purpose and with intent or we live it for naught. I don’t want to simply exist and miss life! What happened to experiencing life firsthand–from my own eyes and ears? Life must be lived by God’s direction and for His purpose or the joy and fulfillment we seek out of living will never manifest before us for He, Himself, is our peace.

So, then, how can I live this year better?

The answer…to live THE life, not A life that God designed and planned for me. Isn’t that really what it is all about? Jeremiah 29:11 (AMP) …living THE life He has chosen for me and accomplishing the assignments He has given to me? Living it with love and living it simply. Running my own race…Hello! Isn’t that what I just learned in running my first ever half marathon on December 1st. This is what brings Him Joy…and His joy is my strength.

My declaration: 2013 is my year to live THE life! I’m not certain of the direction but I’m moving forward–each day taking care of itself–at His direction. I find it intriguing! Why? When every detail of my life must be planned out – no surprises – no interruptions – my way? Hmm, this type of living may just make amazing fodder for my blogs. In any event, maybe I’ll enjoy some light-hearted laughter along the way.

God is amazing and He doesn’t need a “Why?” …He just is!

I serve a truly amazing God and deeply love an amazing Saviour – JESUS! Happy Birthday Jesus ❤

In Him, I live and move and have my being,

Maggie

Job 42

42 ^1;5-6Job answered God:

“I’m convinced: You can do anything and everything.
    Nothing and no one can upset your plans.…
I admit I once lived by rumors of you;
    now I have it all firsthand—from my own eyes and ears!
I’m sorry—forgive me. I’ll never do that again, I promise!
    I’ll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor.”

After 48 years of life, I’ve come to the conclusion that I am no longer content to live on crusts of hearsay or crumbs of rumors. I want to experience firsthand–from my own eyes and ears, LIFE! My every day life and my growing and abiding relationship with Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour.

That simple choice has already begun to change the course and outlook of my life.

On December 1, 2012, I completed my first ever half marathon. Yes, for those of you interested (even if it is only me) that is a whopping 13.1 miles of “why am I doing this?” running through my head every minute for the first two miles and constantly the last three! But, you know what? I did it. I didn’t give up. I didn’t quit–oh, and I wanted to several times I can assure you.

I finally finished something to which I committed. I kept my word! And how many of us really keep our word anymore (especially to ourselves). I finished it! I was the very last person to cross the finish line and for whatever reason, I wear that ranking as a badge of honor without any embarrassment whatsoever because I finished! With that accomplishment came a new found confidence…in me 🙂 as if baggage or strongholds were broken off of me the moment I crossed that finish line.

There are so many things I learned about myself in the last eleven months–that is how long training took for this half marathon because I have never run a day in my life on purpose.

…I hate running.

…I don’t have a body for running.

…I can’t get enough oxygen without my lungs hanging out of my nostrils.

I hate, I don’t, I can’t...those words are really the first thing I learned about myself…

I was uttering and speaking negativity over my life with every word that came off of my tongue. I think all of us, to some degree, have unintentionally been programmed for failure so that when we do try anything new, overcoming the mental aspect of “I can’t do this” is really the first major hurdle we have to overcome. The mental training far outweighs the physical training in my humble opinion.

This journey for me was really never enjoyable during the training because there were so many mental and physical roadblocks I had to overcome (mostly internal thought processes about me) but if I had not gone through the journey of training I would never have been prepared for the actual marathon.

It is simply amazing what we talk ourselves out of and fail to do simply because of fear and lack of belief in ourselves…just because a thing is uncomfortable doesn’t mean it isn’t doable…yes, it may require change (and it will) and it may require discipline (definitely) but I know with my God ALL things are possible!

2013 begins a brand new year and I want it to be the beginning of the BEST ever life I’ve ever lived and the BEST ever and growing relationship with Jesus leading the way.

Huh, now if someone says 13.1 miles to me…I say with a HUGE smile, “been there, done that and doing it again”…but that is for another telling.

So, until we blog again…be blessed!

Maggie 🙂