Grace

Absolutely nothing we do is outside the grace of God. We are capable of nothing outside of God's grace, and at the same time, with it we are capable of anything.

My running (or lack there of) has really shown me this recently. I was doing really well with my running a while ago, enjoying it and working hard. Then I twisted my ankle, got sick, got busy...and the running stopped. Then I started to struggle personally and didn't want to run. I went months without running.

Then my roommate Jen moved in and she started to motivate me. She is a real runner (averages 6-8 miles a day!) and absolutely loves it. She's very encouraging of me as well, so she helped relight that spark. But, I was worried. I haven't run in so long...

We went on Sunday night and I couldn't go past 1/4 a mile before needing to walk. That frustrated me a bit, but I knew it was my own fault. I could have been running for the last several months, but I wasn't, so I expected to have to work.

I ran on Monday and Tuesday as well, with pretty much the same result. As I ran I spent time in prayer...confessing a lot mostly; I have really been struggling.

On Wednesday I had a particularly rough morning and spent some good time with the Lord. I felt Him wanting to shower His love on me, but I was convinced that I only deserved condemnation.

(I promise I'm getting to the point). On Thursday I went to the gym and started to run. I got past 1/4 of a mile (for the first time this week) and kept going. Then came 1/2 mile, 3/4 mile...1 mile and I was still going...it wasn't until another 1/2 mile that I finally started to feel tired and stopped to walk. I ran a mile and a half!!!!

I have not put in the time and effort needed to get to that point, yet by God's grace, I did it.

I am continuing to run and train to be able to go even farther. And, while my training and perseverance will help me reach my goal, not even a step would be possible without God's grace.

It seems to simple, yet when you really think about it, its huge...and very humbling.