Abide and Let It Go

Abide.

That is the word God gave me as I was praying this morning.  

Its such a pretty word, I think, and I can't say it or think it without a brief 'ahhh' sign.  Abide.  Ahhh...that's better.  

Abandon my fretting and abide in Christ.  Release my worry and abide in Him.  Relinquish my perceived control and abide in Jesus.  Keep my eyes on Him and abide.  Ahhh.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. Matt 11:28-30

Yesterday and today have been good days and I know that is the power of prayer.  How am I so sure? Because these last two days have been rainy and gloomy and I could not have drummed up the joy and peace I feel on my own.  Today I'm not wondering how I will get through the next treatment.  Instead, I'm keeping my eyes on and abiding in Him. I don't have to be strong enough because HE is.  

[insert non-existent segue]

Its kind of funny to me that a side result of cancer is that I am embracing winter outdoor activities more.  The new med I'm on does not have the same cold sensitivity that the first one did, so it is possible to be outside.  And the thing I'm embracing about outside, is its germ free, which means I can participate!

So when I saw a Kids Fun Run in December advertised, I didn't completely dismiss it.  In fact, I thought...perfect!  Shaun was disappointed to not be able to participate in another "half", but we muddled through.  Although he again brought up the fact that he would've won back in October if Amanda hadn't cheated and tripped him at the starting line.  :) 

I invited Sienna because Alayna loves to run and also Elsa from Frozen was promised to be there. Win-win!

The "race" started at 10 AM but we got there early to register and find our way.  It was cold with a biting wind.  How cold was it?  It was so cold that even the kids noticed.  :)

To our surprise, Olaf was there, too and thankfully we got to meet him before the race started. (my sophisticated kids were unimpressed with his costume because they could see "the real person's head".

 Elsa and the others, too.

 At the starting line...Isaiah was thrilled to be out in the elements.

At the last minute the kids asked if I would go with them and I readily agreed because the course was not clearly marked and the organization was questionable.  I'm so glad I did because they ended a half mile opposite of the starting line in a busy and unsupervised area.  Strange.

Plus, it was so fun to run along side them and cheer them on.  The two five year-olds didn't totally grasp what was going on, but they followed the crowd  and ran with huge grins.

Waiting for us at the end was hot chocolate and cookies, so totally worth it in their book.  And getting kids out in the fresh air for exercise is what I am all about.  Wonder which one(s) will be the runner(s)?