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“In the future when your descendants ask their parents, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over.
The Lord your God did to the Jordan what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”
~ Joshua 4: 21-24
I remember my first half marathon like it was yesterday… I felt like I had been through it all. Abuse, homelessness, obesity, fear, anger, survival, and bitterness just to name a few.
Someone got injured and gave me her spot in the Bentonville running festival. I didn’t know if I could do it but I knew I had to try and I succeeded.
After crossing the finish line and walking to my car alone I was reminded that God could help me run this race in life and I held on to His promise that everything was going to be okay even though it didn’t really look like it at the moment.
Three years later, 70 pounds lighter, and a fourth half marathon completed, I still hold tight to that reminder. I’ve watched God do the unthinkable in my life.
For 13.1 miles I get to reminisce on how much one year can really make a difference.
I get to enjoy the fact that when I cross that finish line I won’t be alone like I was the first year. Now I have parents and a husband waiting for me. They are there cheering me on and believing that I can run the race of endurance and become the woman God wants me to be.
Even if I don’t always see it.
That’s why the first weekend of April is my favorite weekend of the year. God has changed me inside and out. On this day, I get to push myself as hard as I can and as my feet hit that pavement; for 13.1 Miles I let Him take me on a wild journey of remembering just how He did that.
I guess you can say my half marathon is my, “stone.” Just like the Israelites, I use my runs and my races to remind me just how far God has taken me and one day when I have little ones, I am going to tell His story through my running shoes.
They will know that their mom’s runs are for more than just exercise. Their mom is running the race of endurance and thanking God for everything He has done.
Do you have a “Stone” set up to remind yourself of how God has brought you out of the wilderness? I would love to hear what it is!
~ Lovelle❤
Thank you for your encouraging scriptural and motivating testimony! Yes, God did the same for me, and many times over. He took me out of a bad marriage and brought me into a ‘broad place’ where I have found peace, love, joy, new friends, and His presence daily. He did it with one confirming scripture after another. He continues to bring me inner healing and has sent me many others to encourage who have been in similar situations. One of the scriptures was I John 4:4); also All things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purposes. (Romans 8:28.) And thirdly, “In His presence is fullness of joy, joy unspeakable and full of His glory”. (Psalm 16:11)
Commit your way unto Him; trust in Him; and He shall act! (Psalm 37:5) Wishing each reader God’s best and total deliverance where needed. Donna S.
PS. God speaks to me via songs too, and one that He often used to encourage me was Andrae Crouch’s song; “Through It All.”.
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Donna, you have quite an amazing testimony! I love the many ways God speaks to you. It’s easy to overlook it but it’s so important to remember that God speaks to us in many different ways. Thanks for the reminder and thanks for sharing!
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