Focus and the Heart will Follow

Endurance:  the ability or strength to continue or last, especially despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions; stamina.

I love to run.  Running involves more than just planting one foot in front of the other quickly for extended periods of time to accumulate miles of road covered.  Running provides an outlet.  Running creates a peaceful environment.  Running builds strength.

I run miles at a time, multiple days a week.  I have increased speed overtime by pushing myself a little more with each run.  Various factors play a role in speed and endurance as I begin the run:  heat index, time of the day, inclement weather, elevation in land, recovery from last run, hydration, etc.  Careful consideration must be taken to maintain a healthy body while also pushing the body a bit to gain strength with each run.  Overtime, it gets easier and recovery comes quicker.

I know I can run, displaying speed and endurance; but, each time a race amongst others is involved, I feel incapable.  I fear lacking ability to finish.  I fear failure in speed.  I fear being left by all others around me to run the race alone.  I fear. . .

Fear cause such debilitation, leaving individuals in a frozen state unable to accomplish/complete any task ahead.  I despise fear due to the countless opportunities it has stolen in life.  No longer will fear stop the plan/purpose God holds for my life.  In running a race, I conquer fear with a few steps:

1) I constantly pray to God, thanking Him for the ability to use my body in such a manner.

2) I remember winning the race means nothing in the grand scheme of things – what matters is I run my best at that moment and reach the finish line.  The only time to beat is my own.

3) I seek out an individual running about my pace and stick with them throughout.

4) # 3 being said, I also seek out an individual quite a few paces ahead and keep them in view.

5) I don’t give up, even when stopping would be so easy.

In one race, I approached the last leg and had ran my hardest throughout.  I was ready to give up; but, a man running alongside encouraged and advised on how to finish the race (I think he realized I was about to give up by my gasping for air).  He said to keep my arms moving and my feet would follow.

Today, I ask you to keep your mind focused on Truth and your heart will follow.  Entering this journey called LIFE each day brings fear.  Fear of the unknown.  Fear of inabilities to complete required tasks for the day.  Fear of being left behind, alone and without help in life.  Fear debilitates, leaving us frozen and unable to accomplish the mighty plans God holds for our life.  Once frozen, the enemy pounces and works diligently to break us in a million pieces (easy to do when frozen).

In life, let’s work together to conquer fear.  Life is temporary and not worth wasting in a frozen state.  Let’s start with a few steps and keep moving:

1)  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Philippians 4:6

2)  "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."
1 Corinthians 9:24-25

3)  "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
1 Thessalonians 5:11

4)  "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
Proverbs 27:17

5)  "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:31

Let’s display proper speed and endurance in this life.  Take each day and allow it to strengthen you for the next day.  Mature and grow in Truths each day.
May God be your guide each step of the way. . .

My son displayed mighty character at his latest run - he encouraged a friend to keep running, he ran the race with endurance despite painful ankle (he is fine now), he sought out God for help to finish and he obtained a PR for this season!  What a fantastic example and young man of Christ!

     

Live life. . .One Day at a Time
Sheree Craig  

Hindrance to an Intimate Relationship?

God is good ALL the time. . .ALL the time God is good!

I live in unpredictable on a daily basis.  This can drive an individual - craving routine, comfortable with schedules and overly obsessive with placement of items - batty.  Good thing I don’t suffer with any of the listed concerns, right (sarcasm emphasized)?

Living in the moment remains a weakness in my life.  I am not where I used to be!  I have more steps to go on this journey seeking strength and maturity.  Let’s set a scene years ago to understand the past bondage:  I arose every morning from the same side lying position, took exact steps to restroom, put in contacts, walked the exact path to the kitchen, used the same light switch (which must be in the correct position), grabbed the same coffee mug and sat down for a specific amount of time on the computer prior to getting kids up.  The day continued based on schedule prepared the night prior.  Everything done in a timely manner and the clock became the dictator.  Failure to accomplish schedule in time sent me straight to panic mode.  Once the day came to an end, everyone tucked in bed, I ventured around the house to assure every single item sat in its place correctly (seriously, no joke).  Then, I could rest at ease knowing all was well.

Life = bondage, misery, anxiety and constant failure.  Perfection could never be reached; therefore, I ran around like a madwoman seeking such unattainable goals.  Routine provided rest – Consistency provided comfort – Schedules provided success.  Unbeknownst to me, all these emotions were temporary, false and blocking an intimate relationship with my Savior.  All these emotions ruined relationships here on Earth.  All the work put forth to feel ‘okay’ in this world built walls around my heart, keeping loved ones at bay.

Enough was enough.  Brick by brick the walls crumbled as I began realizing who God created Sheree to be in this world.  My Father holds no desire for His daughter to spend hours in worry, seek perfection in this world or be voted most liked by the world’s standards.  Once Truth entered my mind, it began trickling down to my heart and my actions responded accordingly.  Am I completely ‘off the hook’ from such actions described above?  No.  Does life bring in scenes filled with triggers?  Yes.  Chaos causes weakness, setting up prime opportunity for the devil to tempt me back into old patterns.  Thankfully, my Father provides His Armor daily to protect from the evil schemes of the devil. 

What is blocking you from an intimate relationship with your Savior?  Take a stand today against such hindrance.  Seek out prayer warriors.  Read Truth daily.  Place His Armor on every morning in preparation for the unpredictable day ahead.  Walk confidently knowing God went ahead of you this day, paved the way and gathered all the tools needed to survive.  He will provide those tools at the perfect time throughout the day when you invite Him into each moment.  Will you invite Him?

Without Him, I would still be bound in condemnation of each imperfection.  Without Him, I would seek Anorexia Nervosa to solve life’s concerns.  Without Him, I would feel rejected, unloved and worthless.  Thanks be to God Who sent His Son Jesus to die so I may live.  This world is temporary, His gift to us is Eternal life in Heaven.  Accept – Believe – Confess!  Jesus is our Lord and Savior.  Hallelujah!  Praise be His Holy name!

Without Him, I would miss out on such joy as this. . .

Out of the typical schedule - Game Night @ GABP during the week!

Out of routine completely - weeknight date staying over at a hotel!

    

 

Live life. . .One Day at a Time

Sheree Craig   

In the Middle

Whirlwind:  a very strong wind that moves in a spinning or swirling motion and that can damage buildings and other structures amongst the land. 

The above definition explains the past week perfectly.  Waking up to the sound of an alarm daily, placing two feet on the floor and continuing 90 MPH until returning to bedside - repeated x5.  Rushing along sometimes finds us forgetting the One providing all the strength, guidance and courage to survive the daily grind.  Hours speed by, leaving remnants of regrets/shame/pain/sadness/etc.  Joy must be found in the Light that leads. 

My week involved numerous situations that once would have led to anxiety attacks, clinging to Anorexia Nervosa for comfort and laying down in defeat.  Granted, there were glimpses of time this week I did want to wave the white flag and refuse to take anymore; but, I refused to do so, resulting in strength, courage, maturity and faith.  God showed up every moment.  As I navigated through busyness of work, demands of the job and concerns of those placed in my path, God never left nor forsake me.

As He revealed His presence, my heart filled with joy.  If you have ever read any of my blogs, you know I stand firm on Romans 8:28 and God uses such Scripture to speak His presence and assurance in my life.  Well, let me tell you about a few from this week:  prior to facing a day full of emergencies (unbeknownst to me), I check my phone to assure no emails/texts/etc. and time reveals 0828; while taking on another task at work requiring lots of attention daily, God reveals 08/28 through a date amongst paperwork; an uplifting, encouraging email from my husband came through at 0828.  I can’t make this stuff up.  God is there at all times to work all things out for the good of those who love Him and He will never leave nor forsake you.  Will you accept Him and take Him along with you each day?

Standing firm on His Truth will provide a sturdy foundation able to withstand any whirlwind approaching.  Life can offer winds racing up to 90 MPH while you stand in the middle of it all; but, God’s Truth will not be shaken in the least by such force.  He wins every time!  Choose Him and this broken world will not phase you. 

Amongst it all, God also provided numerous outlets in perfect timing to provide peace, comfort and relaxation.  My husband and I escaped on a date night:

OUT ON THE TOWN @ LOCAL CASINO!

I checked an adventure off the Goal list I have going:

REBA CONCERT @ KY STATE FAIR!

My mother and I spent the day ingesting Truth while surrounded by hundreds of sisters in Christ:

OH YEAH, GOT TO SEE/HEAR THIS AMAZING SINGER/SONGWRITER - NATALIE GRANT!

Live life. . .One Day at a Time

Sheree Craig    

Time Flies

Time flies when you are having fun!  Whoever constructed such a comment failed to experience the events of my past two weeks.  Time flew but fun failed to enter the scene.

School began and all the sudden two little babies grew up and entered 7^th grade and 3^rd grade.  Fearing such big steps, prayers went up for both during those first days in this new role.  I too entered new territory with numerous changes occurring this year at work, working diligently to become organized and still recovering from surgery over the summer.  Time flew but fun failed to enter the scene.

Everyone’s first day came and went in a flash.  The children spoke over one another, sharing the wonderful stories and displaying such maturity in their actions throughout the day.  I sat exhausted from the whirlwind of a first day.  Blame it on age, struggle with anxiety or just plain chaos; but, my mind continued running 90 MPH for hours post leaving work. 

Seeing the light at the end of every tunnel can be difficult.  Clinging to prayer, venting to loved ones and singing His praises for providing each day will keep that light shining (even if it is dim from time to time).  God is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient.  In other words – He is our everything.  He will never leave nor forsake you.  He knows just what can be handled when using Him for strength.  He slows down the mind, eases the soul and replaces the fun in all times.  Time flew over the past two weeks, but God began revealing my purpose, bringing clarity to the situation at hand. 

My children continue to love school, maintain great rapport with teachers and create friendships each day.  I stand proud of both and realize I need to learn a thing or two from them.  Life is fun.  Let go of petty stuff.  Adapt to situations at hand.  Embrace the joy around.  Laugh.  Play.  Forgive.  Love others at every opportunity. 

Had I practiced the same principles my children did over the past two weeks, emotions could have played out quite differently.  Thank you God for my children.  Thank you God for trusting me to play the mom role.  Thank you God for the lessons learned through them. 

Oh yeah!  Throughout all this, my husband I have made it through the cleanse portion of our 24D back to school challenge.  My husband lost 7 pounds already, feels great and continues reaching health goals.  I regained strength, clarity and continue feeding my body the nutrients needed. 

Without product my body felt drained, weak, unhealthy, fogged and failed me daily.  Since taking product and keeping up with cleanses throughout the years, I gained strength to accomplish daily tasks, maintained healthy weight, increased exercise endurance and feel great!  Each day reveals another great opportunity to celebrate the body provided to me!  Thank you God for restoration in health as I provide my body with nutrients via product and foods daily!

Live life. . .One Day at a Time

Sheree Craig