Black Friday - We just don't get it

Black Friday is madness, pure madness. I've never had the desire to get out in the middle of the night, wait in long lines in cold weather and bombard a store as the doors open simply to save 75 percent on a flat screen TV. As I heard reports of men being tasered over a Kindle and a grandfather being arrested for trying to protect his grandson from being trampled, I had to wonder what God thinks of all of this. How does He feel about how we, His children, have turned His Son's holiest birthday into a shopping bonanza?

I'm certain He doesn't like it. Just like we aren't too happy when our children do things like fight with their brothers or sisters over a toy, pitch a temper tantrum when you won't let them have a piece of chocolate before dinner or worse, tell their grandmother this wasn't the gift they wanted for Christmas. We get upset, frustrated and disappointed, but we still love them. Just as God still loves us when we fight over the latest Nintendo DS games in the middle of a crowded Wal-Mart at 3 a.m. He still loves us, even though sometimes we just don't get it. We don't get what Jesus' birthday truly means. We don't get that it meant God came down in the form of man to save us from our horrible sins. We don't get that it means everlasting love and joy for all who will simply love Him back. We don't get it because we're human and we're flawed. In God's eyes we often act like a 2-year-old who doesn't get her way.

However, we are all capable of getting it, at least as best as our human minds will allow. So as we prepare for the birthday of the One who has saved us from our crazy antics, my prayer is we will all take a moment to be still. A moment to realize the true miracle of Christ's birth. I challenge us to do something for others this holiday season, whether it's feeding the homeless, visiting a nursing home, or simply turning off the television and spending quality time with the family.

I mess up everyday. I do stupid things to make God wonder where He went wrong. So this holiday season my goal is to make Him quit shaking His giant head at my childish acts, and have Him be a proud parent of His child who is trying her best to get it.

13.1 trains me to be thankful

I did it!!! 13.1 miles in 2 hours 52 minutes! If someone had told me six months ago that I would be running a half-marathon in November, I would have laughed in their face. It’s amazing what we can do when we truly put our mind and body to it.

The training process was long, but all worthwhile and it wasn’t something I decided to do on my own. Back in early July my friend Helen approached me with the idea of training to run the half in honor of her sister-in-law, Lynn, who was recently diagnosed with stage four brain cancer. She wanted to raise money for the American Brain Tumor Association to show support for Lynn. This was the push I needed to make this dream a reality. I made my decision to run and never looked back.

A couple of months into our training I had the idea to add an honoree to my fundraising efforts. My boss’ daughter, MK, was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the young age of 14 years old. It wasn’t until after a 9 hour surgery they were blessed with the news of MK’s tumor being benign. She has now grown-up to be an amazing young woman and is a freshman at Auburn University. While MK hasn’t battled cancer, she has dealt with the numerous side effects, which come from major brain surgery and she’s handled it all with inspiring courage.

Lynn and MK have both been my inspiration throughout my days, weeks and months of training. On a morning when I just didn’t feel like getting out of the bed, I would think of Lynn and how she has fought so hard every day to beat this cancer. When I just didn’t think I could run another step, I would think of MK and all of the physical therapy she has endured over the years.

There are so many Lynn’s and MK’s out there. We all have our own trials and troubles. We all have days when we just don’t want to get out of bed. When I have days like this I think of the blessing of my health and how I should NEVER take it for granted. The stories of Lynn and MK have opened my eyes. I thank God everyday for the little things like being able hold my children, hug my husband and run down the street. This 13.1 miles has taught me many things about myself, but most of all it’s taught me to be thankful to Him for each and every moment of LIFE.

(Oh, and yes, I’m now proudly sporting the 13.1 magnet on the back of my car!)

Training

This Sunday is a huge milestone for me. I've been preparing for four months to run my first half-marathon. 13.1 miles. Five months ago I could barely walk one mile!

Training for a run of this level brings a new realization about what you're actually capable of handling. Taking the risk of running 13.1 miles and making it happen has allowed me to realize I can succeed at anything I put my mind to. No matter how impossible it may seem.

Writing is my passion. I've missed writing this year and I never imagined training for a half-marathon would lead me back to it. This experience has made me want to focus on writing, wherever it may lead me.

I look forward to sharing my next post about the excitement of finishing the race and finally putting that 13.1 magnet on the back of my car.