Hopeful Hearts Ministry

As it often happens I get about 2 miles into the run and think “What am I doing?”  But I persevere and by mid-way I’m doing okay. By mile 5 I am chanting ‘You can do this.’ to myself and by mile 6 I am breathing as if I’d just run for my life and yet I push forward determined to finish the last mile.

Victory!  I made it.  Then collapsed in a lawn chair in my backyard wondering how in the world I was ever going to get through 13 miles.  😉

 

I laid the lawn chair all the way back and stared up at the blue abyss and for some reason the bible passage I chose to read at Sweetgraw’s (my grandmother’s) funeral:

 

[box] 2 Timothy 4:1-8 – I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.  For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths.  But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry.  For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.  From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance. [/box]

In most funerals just verse 7-8 is read but I felt compelled to read 1-6 because I felt it depicted how my grandmother lived her life.  She was an amazing example to me and she was probably my biggest encourager.

I thought about her and in the kiss of the sun on my face I could feel her with me, telling me “Always do as you feel called by God to do and don’t let anyone steer you away from Him.”  I could feel her bone-crushing squeeze of my hand and I knew in that moment she was literally with me.

Life is like me training for this marathon.  There are mornings I feel like I can run the entire 13 miles no problems and other mornings that throw a kink into my resolve whether it’s the weather or coming down with an illness or even the lack of desire but I don’t give up just because one day is lost or one run is not up to par.

I will ‘put up with hardship’ for I know my Lord is pouring out his libation therefore I will keep my faith.

Don’t give up on your race.  Take it day by day, one moment at a time.

Blessings

Shannon