God is all about the process-and so is the marathon. boom roasted.

This morning i was reading Big God...

"waiting is work, but waiting does work" (merrick, 141)

After reading this (and paraphrasing his words a bit), I realized why I have so much peace right now and why I am beginning to sleep through the night, and not stress or breakdown at the end of workouts- it doesn't matter what happens in the end anymore or how long this season takes, because we are learning and finding more of Jesus in our lives right now.

When we signed up for the relationship we signed up for struggles.

However, in that small print (that no one reads) we usually just point out the scariest side effect (struggles), but neglect to see that it also says we are going to blessed out of our minds.

Through these struggles and despite these struggles.

The struggle is a blessing. It is not the end of the world, it is an opportunity.

So where my high schooler's run their league races their is this area during the last part of the race where there is a bit over a half mile of this flat, dry, circle, where you can see all the people in front and behind you, and no one is there to cheer you on. I told them that during this mentally tough part that they cannot think of how much is left, but instead it is an opportunity to pass people and prove surprise themself with their shear will.

my point being-struggles/trying times on our patience are an opportunity to be taught more about Jesus, and be shown more of him during the wait. It is like raising lazarus from the dead (yes Pondy, I just used this example), ya the Marys went through a struggle/so did Lazarus, but then once they waited it out they were so dang blessed!

There is this ad for some running shoes I am using as a bookmark in Big God, it says "The marathon. Once a test of will. Now a test of patience." The important part of a marathon is the process (just like God is all about the process); the training that goes into the race is crucial, as well as during the race being patient and pacing yourself even though you are maybe used to going faster. However, if you do not appreciate and give credit to the process while you are in it, that end goal probably won't be as great as you thought and it is going to be a lot more painful, and probably take longer to get there. That is the only way to see to the purpose of it all. So be patient, and do the work now, the finish line will come faster if you enjoy the ride there.

colossians 1:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.