Dear Liam,
When I got out my half marathon training plan, I worked backwards from March 4th (the day of the half marathon I am running in honor of your 13th birthday), and the day to officially start training is today (December 5th). It happens to a 13-week training plan, and there will be 13 miles to get ready to run in March- one for each year you've been here in this world. (Okay, technically it's 13.1 miles so it's 0.1 mile as a bonus!)
As you know with your mom's regimen through the years, training can be intense and can require a significant chunk of time. Through the years, with so many hours pounding the pavement, I’ve asked God to help me steward this time so that it would be more than just about setting a personal record or getting into shape. Over the last few years, I’ve felt nudges from the Spirit to use my training as prayer time for specific people and circumstances. And I’m pretty sure these nudges came because God knew that I could use some help in this area. Listening in prayer is a definite growth edge for me as I’m one of those people with a bunch of plates spinning simultaneously. In short, I don’t slow down very much, and yet, with running, I already have this training space carved out for me. God has been gracious to help me learn to make space for him through these times. And so, now with you about to turn 13, Liam, it's your turn to be the focus of my prayers as I log some miles in the next few months.
This quote below is a favorite of mine:
"My favorite part of my yoga class is when my teacher asks us to ‘set an intention’ at the beginning of class….At the end, she often asks us to check back in with that intention that we set at the beginning of class. I like that part; it means something to me. I have begun to incorporate this idea into other areas of my life. I try to set an intention before I run, work out, write, meet up with a friend, make a speech, eat a meal, discipline my children, state my opinion, or say yes or no to a request. The more I set intentions, the more I realize how many opportunities I have to do so in the span of a week, a day, or even an hour. I realize how often in the past I have not checked in with my intention or even made one to begin with. How easy it is to waste time, get off track, or miss the moment when I forget where my heart is?" -Kristin Armstrong Mile Markers
So, my intention in the next 13 weeks is to keep you in mind when I run and to ask God to help me know what I can be praying for you. I found this Advent list of words and will be using it as a springboard for the next few weeks.
The word today was "wisdom" and that was my simple prayer for you:
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5
When I got out my half marathon training plan, I worked backwards from March 4th (the day of the half marathon I am running in honor of your 13th birthday), and the day to officially start training is today (December 5th). It happens to a 13-week training plan, and there will be 13 miles to get ready to run in March- one for each year you've been here in this world. (Okay, technically it's 13.1 miles so it's 0.1 mile as a bonus!)
As you know with your mom's regimen through the years, training can be intense and can require a significant chunk of time. Through the years, with so many hours pounding the pavement, I’ve asked God to help me steward this time so that it would be more than just about setting a personal record or getting into shape. Over the last few years, I’ve felt nudges from the Spirit to use my training as prayer time for specific people and circumstances. And I’m pretty sure these nudges came because God knew that I could use some help in this area. Listening in prayer is a definite growth edge for me as I’m one of those people with a bunch of plates spinning simultaneously. In short, I don’t slow down very much, and yet, with running, I already have this training space carved out for me. God has been gracious to help me learn to make space for him through these times. And so, now with you about to turn 13, Liam, it's your turn to be the focus of my prayers as I log some miles in the next few months.
This quote below is a favorite of mine:
"My favorite part of my yoga class is when my teacher asks us to ‘set an intention’ at the beginning of class….At the end, she often asks us to check back in with that intention that we set at the beginning of class. I like that part; it means something to me. I have begun to incorporate this idea into other areas of my life. I try to set an intention before I run, work out, write, meet up with a friend, make a speech, eat a meal, discipline my children, state my opinion, or say yes or no to a request. The more I set intentions, the more I realize how many opportunities I have to do so in the span of a week, a day, or even an hour. I realize how often in the past I have not checked in with my intention or even made one to begin with. How easy it is to waste time, get off track, or miss the moment when I forget where my heart is?" -Kristin Armstrong Mile Markers
So, my intention in the next 13 weeks is to keep you in mind when I run and to ask God to help me know what I can be praying for you. I found this Advent list of words and will be using it as a springboard for the next few weeks.
The word today was "wisdom" and that was my simple prayer for you:
Praying for wisdom for you today to find its way deeper into your heart....
XOXO,
Emily
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