50 Smiles

When I was a kid my family would take these summer road trips from Chicago to Shreveport to see my grandparents. When my brothers and I would get bored and restless we would ask my Dad, "How many more miles Dad?" He would answer us, "Not miles kids, it's SMILES!" To which my brothers and I would either laugh or collectively groan depending on which part the trip we were on. I always think about my Dad saying that when I run and it keeps me going if not smiling.

Tonight I broke the 50 mile total barrier with a good 4 mile run. I mean I really didn't think I had it in me to run 4 miles. I didn't think my body would let me do it. Let's face it I have been pregnant for 18 months of the last 2 years. I have put on 100 pounds in those last 2 years. Sixty lbs with Kate and then before I had a chance to breathe I was putting on the 40 lbs I gained with Carson.It's crazy when you think about it that way. But there I was tonight huffing and puffing my way to 4 miles.

Tomorrow when I go to cross my 4 mile run off of the calendar in my cubicle I will do it with a big smile on my face. Ha! I ran 4 miles. So bring on your bad week. Bring on your short funds to close, 3% flood insurance deductible, unacceptable survey, no source for big deposits, tractor buying borrower week.(I had to write that last sentence so that someday I can look back and laugh because it's too soon to laugh at the week I had last week. But someday I will). The confidence that I have from running 4 miles will last me through Monday and maybe Tuesday. But the confidence that I have through God and Jesus will last me a lot longer than that. I lost sight of that last week but God still showed me that He is in control and that he is near. He always is.