4-28-14 166.4
5-3-14: 167
So it's May. Or as I like to call it: The Month from Hell...that's extreme, but May really is completely cuckoo for us in the Storer household. As a two-band director family, we have 7 of our own concerts between us, add in our boys piano recital and music program AND both of their birthdays all within 3 weeks and you have one manic momma. So why in the heck did I sign up for a marathon that is smack dab in the middle of all of this craziness? I...don't...know...
So, now that I'm in the thick of it all, there was something from today's sermon at First Church that really resonated with me and seemed appropriate to my current situation. Pastor Scott was quoting a story he had read about where someone was preparing to go white-water rafting along a very dangerous river somewhere in Africa. The guide told the narrator that when (not IF) they capsized that they should stay in the rough waters and not try to swim to the seemingly safe calm water along the rivers edges because that is precisely where the hungry crocodiles hang out.
It seems to me that I get myself in these situations often. I have these big ideas and lofty goals and when I finally look up to take a breath, I'm quickly reminded that I've got a LOT to do! At this point, I usually just get overwhelmed and become a cranky, resentful and icky version of myself. I found that lady looking at me in the mirror at the beginning of the week. I did not like what I saw. She was tired, wrinkly and not inspiring at all! I had a decision to make. I could either stay there and GET THROUGH the next three weeks, or I could EMBRACE the crazy. You can either laugh or cry, am I right? Instead of panicking and trying to just get through my life every day, I prayed that I honor my commitments and do right by the plans that He has laid out for me.
Honestly, the training for the race and the race itself is the least of my worries. Don't get me wrong...I'm nervous and excited and pumped up about it. But all of my other work, home and family stuff was starting to drain me. I was losing the joy that my children and husband and students usually supply me with. It was seriously impacting my well-being. It makes sense to want to swim out of the rough waters and into something more calm and safe. But it has been in these crazy, unsure times in my life that I've learned the most about myself and made the most impact on others, ultimately finding more joy and purpose.
So, if you're like me and finding yourself amidst the crazy...take a breath...pray if you are so inclined...and embrace the crazy! Try to enjoy the crazy. No one gets stronger in calm waters.
2 WEEKS until the BIG RACE people! Taper time, thank goodness!! Have a fantastic week and thanks so much for reading!