"Don't be SKERRED...."

My knees are hurting.

My ankles ache.

My hips are in pain and by the way as Shakira would say: "my hips don't lie."

I am not nervous about actually running anymore, I am actually nervous that my body will stop working. I have actually cried over this. SO, I pray.

I pray while I stretch.

Some may think, "Man that runner over there has 3 cheerleaders in HER MIND and she channels them right before each run...or is that chick talkin' to me...?"

I pray over my ankles. While touching each one I ask God to help them the way He helps me....Keep them strong Lord, I apologize that I have put so much weight on them and I promise Him that I am trying to lighten the load. I thank Him for every ache-because THAT means I can feel and I am not doing anything to deaden the pain.

I touch my hips. I tell Jesus that I love every inch of my hips, I tell Him I am sorry for ever talking bad about them I thank Him for my rhythm. (I think having rhythm helps me run) I ask Him to help them move at the exact time they are supposed to. I ask Him to remind me gently, that my Mom has broken hers and I have not.

I grab my knees. I say "LOOK knees....I 'kneed' you and I know you have a lot of pressure on you to make this 3 mile run happen....BUT you HAVE a JOB to do....I will make sure during my next pedicure...YOU get all the attention and NOT my toes....Amen"

Praying works.

I will not be scared of my own body and the powerful things it does. I will use every inch of it to glorify Him.
I will put extra lotion on my freckled skin.
I will use sunscreen.
I will rest when I should rest and run when I have committed to it.
Jesus needs me as much as I need Him. He needs this body to be healthy because it protects this heart that pumps for Him. These eyes that see where He needs me. This mouth that won't shut up about Him. This hair....that...is just cute. He needs my feet so can go where He needs me. He needs my ears so I can hear Him.

So I will continue to pray.
Romans 7:6