I woke up around 6:15 am and couldn't go back to sleep. I laid in the bed contemplating what I was going to do. Should I get up and put a load of clothes in? Should I get up and start breakfast? Should I wake my husband up for a few stolen moments? I couldn't make up my mind, so I just laid there quietly, deciding not to move. Before even placing my feet on the ground, I could tell that I was sore from doing zumba last night. Actually, my back was tight before the class even began, but I was determined that I was going to shake my hips like I'd lost my mind.
Anyway, I couldn't lie there any longer and started contemplating taking Arby for a morning walk. I began envisioning which outfit I was going to wear, which shoes had the orthotics in them, tried to figure out if I would wear a hat, tried to remember where my fanny pack was so I could jog without worrying whether my phone would fall out, and the list goes in. I hadn't yet stood up, but I had already figured all of these things out in my head. Nothing was going to stop me now.....I had a plan. That was until I finally stood up and I couldn't straighten my back immediately, my left knee had a little tweak in it and my right foot hurt was hurting due to a fallen arch. I pushed past the pain, because I was determined to execute the plan. It took me about 7 minutes to get my workout gear on, drink some water and get Arby on his leash.
Once outside, I turned on my music station filled with nature sounds. But before I could get the earbuds in, I heard birds chirping and singing and the sound of the wind rushing past my ears. At that moment I decided that I would let my sounds become one with the sounds of nature, so I put my phone away. What a beautiful clamoring in the sky!
As Arby and I took our first few steps, my body ached. My hips and hamstrings were tight and had not properly warmed up. But as I continued slowly, I could quickly feel my joints loosening. The synovial fluid was lubricating my joints making the pain go away. We walked 1/2 a mile and then turned around and jogged back. When we returned to our starting point, I realized that I actually felt great so we decided to keep going. What a glorious decision! I prayed for my entire household as I jogged and when I later heard a siren, I began praying help for someone in need. (Mommy used to do that whenever an ambulance passed us on the highway..."touch Jesus, somebody needs your help".) It was at that moment that I considered maybe God woke me up just to cry out for that individual who will never know my name.
Maybe God was using my early morning prayers to the cover my family for the day. This walk wasn't even about me! The enemy was trying to discourage me from my assignment by pointing out all of my aches and pain. Had I just put my earbuds in, I might have missed God talking to me. God wanted me to be fully present, to live in the moment and to accomplish the assignment that was meant for me today. The focus was taken off of me because there was a mighty work to do.
I encourage you today to push past the pain that you feel...whether it's physical, mental or emotional. God wants you to be fully aware of His presence in your life. Recognize that the trials may come so that you have a testimony to share with others. While you may feel tired by the cares of life, there is someone out there who is on the verge of suicide who needs to hear YOUR story. Man this thing ain't even about you! (yes, I said ain't) Push past it and PRAY that God would reveal HIS plan for your day and your life.
Now walk it out............... (the synovial fluid in your joints will help you, I promise)
