Pressing on to things that are ahead.

Life can be difficult. It can stink. It can be trying and fun and devastating and everything in between. But, each time that I’ve come to a fork in the road that I wasn’t excited about-the “opportunity” for change-I’ve realized that it’s hard to leave something behind that’s familiar.

With this new-ish career that I’m pursuing, many creative things in my life have had to come to a halt. I no longer have time to sew shirts, build picnic tables or can beans. The closest that I’m coming to creativity is tying balloons on the “for sale” signs outside of a home I’ve listed.

Wee.

 

I’ve got to be honest-it’s been a real struggle for me. I really hate the word “busy” and I hate being too busy to enjoy life. I don’t mind working hard-if you know anything about me, it’s that I love to work hard.

However, the path that is now before me is a new and scary one. An unfamiliar one. It’s full of twists and turns and hills and valleys. I can’t seem to keep my thoughts straight or get a good night of sleep.

But, with each twist and turn comes the opportunity to rely more on God and less on myself. I’ve had to completely take captive my thoughts, I’ve had to demand of myself to be positive and I’ve had to find ways to continue enjoying life-even if it’s only the five solitary moments I get between phone calls.

And, I’ve clung to this scripture:

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. [ Following Paul’s Example ] All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.”
Philippians 3:12-16

Crossfit and Bibles

The alarm rang this morning at 4:15am. I hate that blasted thing. I hate alarms and all that they stand for. I want an alarm that makes me coffee and kisses me softly on the cheek while laying a kitten on my lap. Is that too much to ask for?

 

By 6:30am this morning, I had dropped Biceps off, ran 2 miles, went to Crossfit and started my short drive home on the deserted streets. (Save for the few headed towards the donut shop. Naughty, naughty.)

I have been feeling a bit on the downer side lately-which is totally not me. I’m the one that bounces into Crossfit at 5:30am humming a tune and annoying the other participants, I’m sure. Today, I just slipped in the back and got to work, not making eye contact.

And while on round 3 of my last movement of 30 friggin’ box jumps, and as my trainer was yelling at me, I started thinking. When was the last time I even talked to God about how I was feeling? Sure, I’ve been reading His Word, but have I been humble enough to admit to myself, let alone HIM, that I was bummed out and really didn’t know why? It sounded so….girly.

And girly doesn’t come naturally for me. Obviously. (*ps-this is a fake picture. There was some concern the last time I posted this.)

Weird, yes. But girly? Not so much.

So, I came home, brewed some coffee, grabbed my Bible and snuggled up to my dewey garden-which is where I feel the closest to God. And I told Him how I felt and asked Him to give me clarity.

Somewhere between I Peter 1:6 and 7, I realized that these trials are temporary. And I have a hope with Him. And I should quit whining, because really, who wants to see someone crying at Crossfit?

No one, that’s who.

So, just in case you are going through something right now, or you may be a little or a lot bummed out, here’s the scripture that pulled me out of the depths of despair.

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” I Peter 1:6 & 7

Top Ten Reasons to be a Dad

I am not a dad, but I do have one. And in the 34 years of knowing my Dad, I’ve learned why he chose to be a Dad-along with a few other things, like:

Duct tape fixes everything, even flip flops.

But, here are the top ten reasons that I think my Dad became a dad.

1. You can pretty much wear anything, if you’re a dad. You might even hear, “Oh, that’s just my dad.”

2. Mustaches look sleazy on most guys, but if you have a wedding ring and your toting around 4 kids, you can get by with it.

3. You have the right to embarrass your kids-because, after all-you can punish them if they make fun of you.

4. You finally get to say, “Don’t make me turn this car around!”.

5. When you become a dad, you automatically know how to carve a turkey, change the oil, fix a garbage disposer, change a diaper and make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Or not.

6. You always get to say the prayer at the dinner table, making it as long-winded as you want.

7. If you are awesome-like my Dad is-your kids will grow up to think you are the most amazing father in the world. And they will tell you often. And visit you. And call you. And hug you.

8. But, even if you are awesome-you will also hear a lot of stupidity out of your children as they grow up. Because, let’s face it. Kids are stupid. But, since you’re awesome, you remain calm, pray for sanity and spank on.

9. You get to say, “Because I said so”, and “Because your mother said so.” You prefer the first, but will use the latter if need be.

10. You get presents on father’s day, including-but not limited to: licorice, updated clothing items, bar-b-que gift certificates, hand-painted art projects, perhaps a reenactment of your life put on in a dramatic form complete with costumes, and socks.

Who wouldn’t want to be a dad? Happy Father’s Day, Dad. I LOVE YOU!

Big Girl Panties

Today, I had to put on my big girl panties.

(photo credit undetermined)
I was thrust from a comfortable, year-long situation doing Crossfit at the local YWCA into a brand new atmosphere full of sweaty people at a hipster gym downtown.

At 5:30 am-which is my peak performance time.

And I was t-e-r-r-i-b-l-e.

(photo credit-13stripescrossfit.com)
I am not out of shape, but I definitely don’t look like this Crossfitting/Beer Delivery girl. And, I’m unsure if I could hoist a keg on my shoulder and still look this cute doing it. And, once it was up there-how am I supposed to read a map for delivery purposes? It seems rather inefficient-I mean, we do have dolly’s for a reason….

(photo credit-beastskills.com)
I could not wrap my mind around doing pull-ups this way. I’ve always done the strict army pull-up and had no idea what my legs were doing as they were flinging around kicking people. I felt like a moron.

And, I’m going back for the noon class. Hey-why not? People already know I’m a moron. I might as well really reinforce that stereotype.

The only problem I have is trying to get those big girl panties tucked into my workout shorts. It’s really rather uncomfortable.