I have been reading a little book, the one shown above, by a young mother whom I had the privilege of listening to recently at a women's conference at our church. This author is packed full of wisdom it has taken me many, many years to realize, and plenty of great ideas that had not occurred to me. Today I would like to share a few principles which I believe are worth investigating.
Jennifer reminds us that we should focus on living our covenants (with God) each day--deliberately and intentionally. This will help us remember what matters most: creating a life of discipleship. While taking doctoral classes she was confronted with academic teachings and theories which were sometimes in opposition to the faith she was raised with. She wanted to align academic teachings with her doctrinal underpinnings. She feels her conviction of the doctrines and principles of the gospel is firmer today because she truly wrestled with what she believes and why. I completely agree with this notion.
Jennifer explains that claiming to value something but failing to consistently act on what we believe creates dissonance and discouragement. We limit our capacity to feel the Lord's influence in our lives when we merely pass time and wait for life to happen.
She shares a personal story about having completed several half-marathons and then deciding to run a full marathon. She registered and felt motivated and excited. However, she let her busy schedule keep her from properly training. When she took a short 3 mile run a few days prior to the race, she realized she could never run the marathon she had committed to. So she decided she would prepare to run some shorter races. However, getting up early each morning to run didn't appeal to her. She was left feeling discourage and disappointed. The morning of the race she had committed to she found herself looking out her window seeing the racers running past her home. She had even forgotten that she had promised to run with a friend of hers, helping her have the courage to complete their goal. She put on her running shoes and joined in with the group and ran about 3 miles to her local grocery store, then turned around and ran 3 miles back home. On her way she started cheering on the competitors, encouraging them to finish their race. "No longer was I self-focused and disappointed because I wasn't doing what others had worked to accomplish. Instead of envying the runners, I was cheering them on. I had done what I could that day and as a result, feelings of accomplishment replaced feelings of inadequacy. I stepped away from the window of envy and joined the race! My goal had been to earn a medal as a finisher at the end of the race, but I won a different prize that day. I learned a life-changing lesson of trying and doing my best. There is power in doing something instead of wishing life away."
According to Jennifer," the plan is active, it is daily, and it is centered on Jesus Christ. As we are deliberate in making daily decisions to face challenges and obstacles along our course, we expand our potential and progress toward our desired goals. Day-to-day behaviors either empower or debilitate us. Choosing to run the course each day regardless of our pace, capacity, or ability moves us closer to the finish line. Standing behind the window of shame, defeat, envy, or other destructive emotions will immobilize us.
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