Running With God

About 6 months ago, I shed nearly 25 pounds or baby weight.
Now I have plateaued at the weight I have always struggled with.
I have changed my diet, to primarily vegetarian.
Not that I am opposed to eat meat, Lord knows I love a good Burger or steak.
But for the nutritional and health benefits of the latter. Call it my Daniel Diet if you will. My fast, to be fit.
I don't in anyway believe that my relationship with God is effected by my body size, weight, nor diet.
But I do believe that God states "Ask and you shall receive." And so I have been asking God to help me in my weight goals, to obtain a more fit physique and healthy lifestyle.
Lately, my eating plans have also plateaued and so I realize that what I need more than simply dieting, is exercise as well.
That's where things get tricky with three wee ones squirming around.  I have tried the inShape videos, and tripped over kids the whole time, as they too wish to try out whatever it is their mommy is doing.  Its actually quite comical, they are all participating in the directions given by my current favorite: Jillian Michaels, and Hannah usually has better technique and flexibility that I ever will.  Every time, though, I get down for some Ab routines the fight to climb on top of mommy ensues, making my efforts pointless.  Therefore, in order to get a work out, I have to wake up at 5:45 in the morning and tiptoe out the door before the kids wake up and counter my exercise attempts.

Some reading my say no problem to waking up so early, but this is a feat all its own for me.  My day usually starts at 6:30 which is difficult enough, as I am trying to get ready for work, feed and dress my clan, and get out the door by 7:30.  I'm at work until 3:30-4. Come home and do the mom chores and duties of cooking, cleaning and caring for the young ones.  I start bath and bed by 7:30, and usually win the bedtime battle around 9:30, My 2 year old is notorious for fighting and I mean FIGHTING bedtime.  So, any running at night is out, as I do live in Stockton and I don't feel safe jogging by my lonesome at 10:00 at night.  This is usually the time I find to clean up dinner dishes, pick up the day's toy litter, and finish a load of laundry or two.  Oh, and if it  is not midnight when I am done, I might actually relax for a 1/2 hour or so.

So, running is a challenge.  The other night however, I really felt as though God was asking me to "Run with him." I admit, I pulled a Sarah and scoffed. "Okay God," I said, "If you want me to run with you, then YOU wake me up." Lo and behold, the next day, my eyes popped open at, what time? Yes, 5:45.

Begrudgingly, I dragged my body out of bed, pulled on my running shoes and headed out the door for my two mile lap.  The next day, the same thing, the following day, again! I am now going on a full week of my eyes popping open at 5:45, even before my alarms go off! I have also enhanced my two miles to a three mile run daily.

Throughout my run, I find myself enjoying the quiet sounds of the streets.  Quiet is a word that has almost become unknown in my world of crazy chaos.  Throughout the quiet tread of my soles on pavement, I find myself in prayer with the Lord of this universe.  How thankful I am that the creator of, well everything, wants to spend the first few intimate minuets of my day with me.  I pray prayers of thanks towards the countless blessings he has poured out upon me.  I pray for my friends in turmoil, trials and tribulations of family, marriage, sickness, and tragedy.  I find myself praying for my students and the children that I am allowed to minister to weekly via CANclub.  I pray for the leadership of my church, for healing and bonding, for our country for our sisters and brothers in persecution over seas, you name it! I pray...

And so, running with God has become my daily for the last week.  They say it takes 28 days to make it a habit, I pray this habit continues, not just for my own health, weight loss and physique (although those would be great benefits!) But for my relationship with the Lord to strengthen.