i'm a good work

I run around the lake in my town a lot. At least once a week. And each time I do it, whether it's the only time that day or the third, I am struck by how far I've come. Physically, of course, but in other ways as well.

It never fails when I'm running for my mind to turn back to "that girl" in grade school or middle school or high school that didn't like herself, that wasn't sure of who she was, that didn't understand what was so wrong with her. It's taken a lot of years, a lot of hard conversations, a lot of tears and pain to begin to understand who I am and who God has made me to be. And I gotta tell you, I like this girl that God has made me to be!

I've come to appreciate that I am a softhearted person...it doesn't make me weak, it makes me empathetic. I like to make people laugh, not to deflect them from laughing at me (anymore) but because they are laughing with me...finally. :) I like to listen to people, help people, make others be better versions of themselves. These are all gifts that God has given me and for a while, growing up, I had no idea how to use them. Thank goodness He wasn't finished with me and continued to reveal Himself and His purpose for my life to me.

The best part is He's not done. I'm not finished. There's better stuff...a better me to come! Last night this verse replayed over and over in my mind as I was thinking back to the girl I used to be: Phil 1:6 "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." I am confident of that promise because I've been witness to it for 30 years in my own life.

So, the girl who couldn't run to save her life 6 years ago completed 6.65mi last night in 1:01:59. That's 9:19min/miles. :) It was my first run since last Thursday because I've been battling some crazy head cold. I'm still sick but with the Half coming up on Sunday, I know I've just got to push thru it and rest after the 28th.