It's Not a Sprint, It's a Marathon

I saw this quote on one of my friends' myspace pages and thought it very appropriate when applied to life in general, but especially life with a baby! Sometimes it would be nice if it were just a sprint. One fast, hard run and you're done. However, that's not the case or the way God intended it to be. Life is a marathon. At times you're running the race and giving it your all. Other times it's necessary to take it a little slow and catch your breath...maybe even stop for a water break! :) I don't know about you but these are the times that seem to be the most memorable. It's the moments when life slows down just long enough to savor all the blessings God has put in my path. Heart to heart talks with my family and husband. Playing with Austin. Laughing with friends. Being still long enough to hear God speak to my heart.

But sometimes the race is hard and long. The finish line can't come soon enough. It's difficult to stay disciplined and remember that God will complete the job He started. It would be so easy to give up and throw in the towel, but then we'd miss out on the growth God has planned for us. Looking back in my life, it's the challenges and obstacles that God has used to continue to refine me. The process is painful, but once I'm on the other side, I realize that I'm a step closer to becoming more like Him. One step closer to the finish line where hopefully I'll hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

Life isn't a sprint, it's a marathon. A race with obstacles, challenges, and moments of blessings.

Hebrews 12:1 (The Message)
Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!