I am 41 and spent Mother’s day morning getting up at 5:30 (yes a.m.) by choice to do a 10km run. (Run is a strong word).  Now before you shut me off and say this doesn’t apply to you, just stick with me for a moment.  I am NOT one of those super fit types that loves to exercise.  (I really don’t understand that thinking myself)  My story is very different.

My husband was diagnosed with a debilitating condition at age 40.  We never expected him to require a cane to walk at this age.  His condition has created much stress for me, as a wife and mother, and for our family.  The diagnosis and progression of the disease launched us into full blown crisis.

Now that the medication is doing its thing and some time has passed, I have had some time to reflect more about my own health.  I realized that health is something I have taken for granted.  I don’t want to wake up one day and realize I missed my chance. I don’t want to come face to face with the fact that I had choices and I consistently made the wrong ones.  So while I still have options, I want to make some different choices.  I have heard several inspiring stories recently and have decided to be pro-active and make sure my own story has a different ending than I have currently been working (or not working, actually) towards.

Rewriting my own story

I have wanted to participate in this particular 10km run for several years since it is a great race for beginners.  I wanted to accomplish something physical that I can be proud of.  I set off on race day, with the goal to show up and finish, I didn’t care about my time.  I was overcome with emotion at the start line, simply because I did it, I showed up! I crossed the finish line and now have a moment I am proud to share.  Feeling that rush of excitement because I accomplished something I set out to do was very rewarding and will encourage me through the days ahead when discipline wanes.

My goal is to be the best I can be, today.  I am working on the physical part of being the best I can be.  This goal taken one day at a time will get me to a healthier place and will change my future.  How about you?  Are you being the best you can be today?  For you it may not be physical, perhaps you want to work on being your best in a different area of your life.  We are all physical, emotional, and spiritual beings. Which area do you want to be the best you can be?

Because my faith impacts everything I do in life, being my best physically is also a spiritual discipline.  My spirituality impacts every area of my life.  Spirituality in my life is based on a relationship with Jesus.  Therefore as in other relationships, my physical self impacts my relationship with Jesus.  For example, with my kids, being able to physically participate with them and have the energy to run and play definitely impacts our relationship.

We had a water fight on Sunday and it was really fun! That is now a special relationship building memory that we have together – not to mention the joy my 14 year old son had as he COMPLETELY soaked me.   You can imagine that was an exciting moment for him!  By the end of summer, based on my new decisions, I will be able to fight back better!  He better look out.

The same connection is true for my relationship with Jesus. Although I am not having water fights with Him; I know my physical self impacts my spirituality.  My spiritual life is like a race also.  I run toward a goal, get tired, but keep on keeping on and enjoy the journey.  God wants me to be my best, but He loves me so much that He does not expect perfection.  He nudges me to be better, but allows grace for my failures and disappointments. That is the key to my faith: grace.  It is the basis of all that I believe.  Click here to learn more about a relationship with Jesus.

Grace does not excuse my poor choices, so that I can keep making poor choices, but it does forgive accept and encourage better next time. Grace is getting what I do not deserve, and is not based on me; but rather what Jesus did for me.   Here is a Bible verse that captures some of this.

Hebrews 12:1-3  says:
Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

For me there are things that may “hinder or entangle” me in my journey to be my best:

• Looking to the past and seeing my failures
• Lack of discipline
• Selfishness
• Laziness

By recognizing what causes us to “grow weary and lose heart” we are better equipped to overcome that obstacle.  Take a moment and think of your list.
I would love to hear your feedback.  What comes to mind that you want to work toward being your best? Is it physical or spiritual? Let me know in the comments below and perhaps there will be a group of us committed to being our best.

I would love to hear your response to what I said about Jesus.  If you want to respond in comments that is great.  We also have a mentor that can answer any questions that you may have. Mentors are trained volunteers that can answer your questions.

Here is how it works: The mentor would email you using our secure system which ensures your privacy by protecting your information.  If you want to keep talking, just hit reply.  The conversation is confidential and non-judgmental.   You can keep talking to your mentor as long as you like and there is never a fee. If this is something you want to do, just click on the Talk to a Mentor top at the top right of this page and fill out the form.  A mentor will contact you.

Recommended Book:  Both the book and the story of Chantel Hobbs has been inspiring to me.  Never say Diet and The Never Say Diet Personal Fitness Trainer are books I recommend.