Last Wednesday I made a choice to start running again. I got up at 530 IN THE MORNING to set out. It was still dark through the faintest light was creeping into the day. I felt good when I finished and I was ready to make this a habit again.
Friday morning I woke up and there were 20-30 mph winds, the kids were out of school, and I decided those were valid excuses to skip.
Monday the kids were still out of school and I had gotten a cold over the weekend so, once again, I put off running.
Tuesday morning I woke up to rain. No running.
Tuesday night I set out all my running clothes. I untied my shoes to make them easier to slip on in the dark. I made sure my headphones were laced into my jacket and my hat and mittens were next to the door. I went to bed anticipating my 530am alarm.
Then both my alarm and Micah’s alarm sounded at the same time. That only happens at 6am. I never turned on my 530 alarm. Poopsicles (I’m pretty sure I actually said that, too). Micah reminded me I still had time to go running and get back in time to make breakfast. He’s too smart sometimes.
I pulled on my running clothes and slipped into my shoes. I donned my jacket and turned on my Pandora worship station. Week 1 Day 2 of Couch to 5k came to life and counted me down to my warm up. Here I go.
It’s significantly lighter at 615am than at 545am. A simple 30 minutes makes a huge difference in the early morning hours. I liked the cloak of darkness last week because I could stay hidden from view. People didn’t need to see my slow progress or bad form. But today I was in the light. I needed to choose to keep going or hide in my house. Here I go.
I started going southwest, out of our little tucked away neighborhood, to the outer sidewalks. As I emerged from the houses into the open area I was greeted by an incredible sky. Only our God could paint something so breathtaking. But I couldn’t stop. It was only 32° so movement was my friend. I thought about moving east so I could keep watching it but instead I turned north along my normal route. I kept peeking between houses to catch glimpses of the colorful sky as I moved forward.
“The sun comes up
It’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass
And whatever lies before me
Let me be singing
When the evening comes”
How appropriate for this song to come on as I went along this morning. It’s a new day. It’s a new chance. And it’s my choice to see it that way.
When I chose the colors for my blog I thought about what joy means to me. What comes to mind when I think of the word joy. All I could picture was a sunrise. The colors of yellow, orange, and pink, and purple that streak the sky as they push away the blue and black of night. My joy comes in the morning. The darkest night can not take away the joy I have in Christ.
@@The darkest night can not take away the joy I have in Christ.@@
I could have come up with excuses again this morning. I overslept from my planned wake up and could have rolled back over to sleep. It was cooler than I like for a run so I could have put it off for a warmer day. But had I used an excuse again I would have missed out on that beautiful sunrise. That reminder of why I’m here. That nudge that I’m on the right path. That God works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28)
Are you making excuses about a change right now? Are you putting off something God is calling you to do? Are you staying in your comfort zone rather than stepping out in faith?
How do you step up to the plate and put away excuses?
I’m linking this up with Kristin Hill Taylor for Porch Stories
