Jesus warms our hearts..and our toes!

Today I prepared for my run. Itching to get out in Gods creation and praise Him while jogging, listening to the birds singing love songs, that still are not as sweet as the love songs Jesus has for each of us. 

It started to snow, and I began to debate wheather this would be another indoor cardio day, or if I should dare go out for the first time in my Vibrams in the snow..something I thought for sure wouldnt happen till at LEAST October LOL.  But it looked sooo beautiful outside, and I love to be outside.  So I knew as soon as my husband got in the door, I wanted to run!

So my husband came in, and he seen I had my running gear on.  And he handed me his watch so I could time my run as I usually do and I took off to do a little over a 2km run. 

Running down the street my toes were cold.  But not freezing, but kinda like standing on a cold basement floor almost.  About a km in I began to feel like I may not enjoy this run.  But it was so beautiful outside, I didnt want to turn back so we pressed on.  I used the time to pray, to focus on being in awe of all that the Lord has blessed us with- nature, family, friends.  I began to pray for all those who I have had on my heart.  My toes were no longer cold.  Its amazing how the things that trip us up can be untangled by the love of Christ.

It was so beautiful outside, quiet, crisp.  You could hear every bird chirping, see all sorts of different animal tracks out on the paths.  I cannot deny God's beauty when I see the things He made for us

Romans 1:19-20. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world His eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things He has made.

To sing praises to Him as I run, to just talk to Him like I talk to a friend.  Best friend.  To worship Him as every blade of grass, and tree that sways does

Isaiah 55:12-13. The mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. All this will be a memorial for the Lord, a sign that for all time will not be cut off.

..............And we get the opportunity to do it every day!!!!!!!

Too far...Just too far

Today I had to wait till later on in the day to go for my barefoot run.  A time I get very excited for and have really been enjoying.  Its been a time of worship music, being out in nature, and a time to focus on renewing my strength. 
I have only been back out running a week outside, and usually have been running about 2-3 kms each time in about 16 minutes or so.  Its been good.  Today I decided I would try to go another km perhaps, trying to go slow and so I dont cause an injury to myself. 
Today I decided to keep truckin down the trail, past where I would normally turn off and see where it would go.  Well it kept going..and going... and going...  Finally an exit.  I get out and I end up in a community that is like a maze (I went through this last year somewhere else too) and I am like "Lord, please find me a way out".  I looked at the street sign up a head... it was a street I didnt think was anywhere near where I had ever been before.  I knew buses went that way, that much I did know!

The logical thing would have been to just turn around...

I dont think logically all the time.....

I ended up just a minute or so later finding another bike path which I knew would take me back down to the river, infact, it took me right back to where I would normally turn off.  "Thank You Jesus."

I got home, and google mapped my route... I ran 7.4 kms.  Thats tripple what I have been doing. Way more than I wanted too, although I did pace myself and take time to stretch my legs, it was still too far...just too far.  I got home in a little over 30 minutes, with the heart still pumpin checked my route and then laid on the floor exhausted.  My husband heard the story and said "I have no sympathy for you." as he laughed at me (all out of love) 

But hey! I can now say I ran 7 kms. .. although I dont know I would do it again for a while.  It was something I wanted to build up too. LOL

Barefoot running and praising

Its finally time to start running again, well jogging..slow jogging, outdoors in Gods creation.  I have 20 lbs to loose, to me thats a number thats so far proven its really hard to do.  But with Gods help Im going to do it.  Last year I was barefoot running three times a week.  I loved it and this year I am so thrilled to be able to do it again.  To feel the earth beneath my feet and to run the way God created my body to run.  Three days ago I went running with sneakers on and it nearly killed me.  I ran 3.6 kms but my legs and ankles hurt so bad when I got home.  I looked at my husband like "well thats dumb!" I have never had that kind of issue when running barefoot.  Yesterday it was sooo beautiful outside that I was able to kick the sneakers off and jog 2.8 km's...Well run and walk.  I didnt want to over do it. 

Regardless of what is on my feet though I have tried very hard to make my running about the Lord.  I make it a time for worship, for prayer, for praise.  Usuaully when I am running down busy streets during the day and there is a lot of noise, I put in headphones and crank worship music in my ears.  Singing along in my head, I have even caught myself with my hand raised up (cars must think I've lost my mind).  But when its quiet, its time for prayer, time to have a moment with God.  To tell Him the things on my heart and to give Him thanks for all He does in our lives.  To hear the birds chirping in the tree's, to spot a chipmunk munchin away on something on the side of the path.  To watch the tree's sway and the clouds move over head.  To watch the river rush past me, faster than I could ever run.  Its all so beautiful.  And God created it for us!!!!!!!!!  To appreciate, to love and to take care of.  Even down to the moss that I cant help but rub my toes on because it just feels so great.