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A Day to Celebrate

January 28, 2012…I set out for a Saturday morning run with the running group.  All was set to go.  I was in the beginning stages of training for my first marathon. A big turnout that day.  I thought I'll show them how awesome a runner I am.  God had other plans that day.  My shattered, prideful ego was humbled as I ended up getting a minor injury and having to hobble back to my car. Angry and at that time in life, very bitter towards God, I found myself literally yelling out my frustrations and asking how He could allow this injury to happen. But there was more at work than just the injury. Awhile later, I get back to my car as the group was starting to finish their run. I went up to a friend who didn't really know much about what was going on in my life and asked if I could pray with him.  It was a simple prayer: "God I don't know what surrender looks like, but I want to surrender. I want to trust You.  I'm miserable trying to be my own god. I give you my life. I know I'll make mistakes but remind me of your grace. Amen."

That was one year ago today. I was planning to reach out to that same friend today that I prayed with that day.  I don't see or talk to him that often but wanted to thank him for praying with me. As soon as I woke up this morning, out of the blue, he reached out to me, saying that he was thinking of me this morning and hoped that I was doing well, not even knowing that it was exactly a year ago today that I prayed with him to surrender my life to Christ. I couldn't stop smiling. I reminded him of the significance of today and he said no wonder God laid me on his heart this morning.

The journey over the last year has been challenging yet so amazing.  Each day I'm learning and growing more and more like Christ and being surprised with the little reminders of His extravagant love for me. While I've healed for the most part from the injury, there's still some very minor pain.  I like to think it's the "thorn in my flesh" to keep me humble, to remember God's grace is sufficient for me, and that I can't find my identity in anything or anyone besides Him. I'm excited to take that undeserved love and grace that I've been given and share it with a broken world so desperate for love. Perfect love. God's love.

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