I think it is only fair that I should warn you about a certain sub division here in Kansas that has recently encountered an unusual amount of trash.
A couple of days ago I went out to run for the first time in a few weeks. As I ran I could feel the garbage that had been building up inside of me fall off onto the road where I left it behind....
Worries about my children's choices and behavior.
Decisions about their future.
Preparing for my son's senior year at high school.
Which school to send my daughter to.
Sending my youngest off to kindergarten.
Concerns about my husband's job security.
Feeling judged and rejected by my peers.
Fighting the worldly influences that surround & tempt me.
Frustrations in family relationships.
Feeling overwhelmed by the events on the calendar.
Staying on top of the bills, laundry, dinner...
Resuming my role at CBS.
Feeling out of shape.
Ignoring the voice of Satan who says, "You will not succeed so don't try"
Yes, there is a lot of garbage back on those roads.
I know that God doesn't want me carrying all of that around. He wants me to lay it at His feet so He can deal with it. But sometimes that can be a hard thing to do. As I pray about it my mind says "let go" but my stubborn body has a death grip on the stress.
That is when I need to come to the end of myself physically and release the endorphines that help to give me relief from stress and worry.
I need to think less and trust God more.
I need to stop trying to control my circumstances and let God control me.
I am still not sure I even like running. It is hard, uncomfortable and requires commitment and quite honestly I live in a world of relative ease and comfort. Yet, it is in the act of pushing myself physically that I exhaust my own resources and find peace in the presence of God.
Now if I can just remember this lesson perhaps I won't leave a garbage trail the next time I go out to run!
What is the best job I've ever had?
2 months ago
25 comments:
This is a great analogy. I could just see what I would be leaving around my neighborhood. Gross!!
When I read your comment on my blog I first read it as "sheep time" not "sleep time" ;) Baa! Baa!
I agree so that's why I'm heading to bed now Momma! xoxo
love you!!!
Lelia
You never fail to inspire me, Kelley, and I love you for that!
Girl! I am tearing up. I guess I am carrying some garbage around with me too! And you know, I try to leave at the Lord's feet, only I guess I pick up and leave with it again sometimes. Thanks for the encouragement!
Dropping off the garbage (again) :),
Krista
Oh sweet sister...how did we get the same garabage? LOL! You are NOT alone. Okay. I'll leave my garbage too! Eyes on Jesus!
What a GREAT GREAT VISUAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love ya and you are doing an awesome job with the ladies blogs!
Yolanda
Thanks for being real friend.
So true. Fortunately for us, we have a Savior that not only will take it but WANTS to take it! Thank you Lord for seeing me for who I am and not the garbage surrounding me.
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! I so love the visual!
Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca
That's the kind of litter I hope you never stop to pick up!
Great observation about running, by the way. I really think it's important for us, in wealthy, pampered America, to purposefully place a few hard things in our life to keep us growing and stretching.
What a wonderful analogy, Kelly. How very true it is that we all seem to so unnessarily carry garbage and we have a Father who's calling out to us, begging us to leave it with Him. He knows what joy it will bring us and glorify Him to leave it at His Feet.
You spoke of the energy required to run. For some reason last night when I mowed, I was absolutely drained. It was hot here yesterday, I had never sweat to the point of it running into my eyes...so it must've been hot. I also did some trimming of bushes, etc. My point being, after it was all said and done, I cleaned up, ate some grub, for some reason I felt REALLY good about the whole exhausting experience. Of course, I've discovered the beauty of mowing with the mu-zak via the mp3 player.
Exhaustion is good for the body. I believe it does much for the soul as a good hard cry does.
Oh, Rebecca's blog is absolutely gorgeous! It is the very best I have seen in blog land. Not that others you do aren't good but the bright purple...oh, I can see that similar in bright pink with a big ol' gerber daisy. Hmmm...maybe one day I'll be contacting. I like my blog just would love to have the fancy side bar headers.
Blessings,
Paula
Surfed into your blog today from another site. I have thoroughly enjoyed my visit to your world. You are a talented writer! God bless you!
Sister, you are speaking my language! Cycling does the same for me.
"...It is hard, uncomfortable and requires commitment and quite honestly I live in a world of relative ease and comfort. Yet, it is in the act of pushing myself physically that I exhaust my own resources and find peace in the presence of God."
Me too!
Oh how I need to let that garbage I collect inside to fall off onto the road. I needed this reminder!
Love the visual of that, Kelley! Your inspiration and encouragement continues to spur me on. BTW: Rebecca's blog is beautiful! Great great job, girl!
You are THEE FIRST "LitterBug" I have EVER loved and RESPECTED! ;)
God bless you Kelley.... and STRENGTHEN you, and LIFT you, and take away ANY and ALL those snares of that jerk: satan! I won't even give him a captital letter.
I pray God's PERFECT WILL for you and your kids, and your hubby!
Be encouraged, - I'm happy you left all that junk behind! ;) THAT'S a sweet aroma of JOY!
If I could even leave the house right now at all, I'm sure I could leave a trail of smells.:)
But I'm still stuck in this bed.
These two statements really hit home with me.
~I need to think less and trust God more.
~I need to stop trying to control my circumstances and let God control me.
Me too!
So many times I feel like I say to God, "Look, if you would just show me how all of this is going to work out, then I will trust you,mmmkay?"
:)
But as we both know, it does not work that way.
I loved this post. I am a visual learner, so it was very powerful to me.
Keep running and trusting!
God Bless,
Amy:)
Kelley,
I am praying and relating with you on the topic of:
"think less and trust God more"
You are allowing God to bring some great stuff to woman!
Great post Kelley. Sorry you have so much "stuff" going on, but you're doing the best thing by letting go and leaving it in God's hands. Praying for your concerns and trusting you will see Him providing and guiding in every way.
Love, hugs and prayers,
Joy
You know that I loved this post!! I can so relate, my sweet friend! Continue to pursue HIM and drop off that nasty trash--He will recycle it and turn your worries and anxieties into beauty if only you will give them to HIM.
Keep up the running! Let me know how it goes!!
Love ya!
Susan
That's a lotta load to carry. As for myself, I've felt like the proverbial garbage truck this week. Sometimes is weighs heavy...too heavy for me. Thank God for his yoke. May I have the gumption and the good sense to leave it with him this day.
peace~elaine
Oh friend, I'm carrying around much of the same garbage. I can totally relate! I'm working on trusting Him more. Thanks for the encouragement.
What a great image you've "painted" here. Every single person who reads this can relate and feel their own shorts being yanked. About the kitchen: Sadly, I would probably love your Pepto Bismol pink walls.
Oooohhh Kelley. This is GOOD!
I will never run again with out thinking of this post,
I Hope!
Blessings,
Pat
Thanks for your post today Kelley.
I am struggling with so much of the same garbage.
I am trying to leave it all with the Lord, but sure i don't ahve to go running to acheive that? LOL!
I loved reading your post. I too agree that this is a great analogy and one that we can all relate to. Thanks for being so open and honest.
Awesome post Kelley. I can relate to this totally. You are an ispiration and encourager. Bless you Kelley, Kathi
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