my first 1/2 marathon

I'm a runner.

It's a relatively new thing for me; I started for the first time last year. Since then I've run a 5K and a 5.7 mile marathon relay leg. I'm not fast, but I'm gettting faster. Just a couple of weeks ago I ran my first 1/2 marathon! 13.1 miles! From the girl who somehow got away without even running a mile in high school, this is big!

My experience in this 1/2 marathon was such a metaphor for life! Some quick background info... The day before I ran, my PH preached about Gideon. About how God stripped away all the "support" Gideon had (all those soldiers He filtered out to leave him with only 300 against 132,000) so the credit for the victory could be given 100% back to God. It was to help me in the middle of my race the next day.

I trained well for the past 2 months and really felt strong going into this. I had no doubt that I could do it. And I felt that I would be able to do it faster than before. I felt pretty confident. But about halfway through, I pushed up a hill and it was all downhill from there! And I don't mean elevation. Somehow I messed up the tendons in my left foot and suddenly I could hardly walk, much less run. I was ready to cry! (Actually I did.) For 3/4 of a mile I limped my way to where my PH and kids were waiting to cheer for me. I was afraid I was going to have to quit after I had worked so hard!

After I talked with them and decided to just keep going, as slow as I needed to, I limp-walked another mile or so. Then the song on my iPod encouraged me to try and run. It was one I put on my playlist just for variety and because the background beat was steady - Twila Paris's "Do I Trust You Lord?" The words really hit me... "Sometimes my little heart can't understand what's in your will, what's in your plan. Sometimes I'm tempted to ask you Why?... Do I trust you Lord?" and so on.

I realized that I had been stripped of my own strength (for whatever reason) and I had nothing to rely on now except what God could help me with. I proceeded to run the last 4 or so miles with pain in every step, finishing the 1/2 marathon in 2:40. And... I give all the glory to God!!

So, what does this have to do with everyday life?

Everything!

Do you feel confident that you have what it takes to meet the day? Do you figure you've got it all under control? Then, have you ever had everything fall apart? Life just unravels and you can't figure out why?

Maybe God is letting us be stripped of our confidence so that we learn to truly trust and rely on Him. He lets the bottom fall out so we have nowhere to look except to Him. We often want to give Him glory in our lives, but with our own plans and our own methods. That doesn't cut it! Especially in the pastor's home, we each have to learn to live so that we can't help but give God the glory because we've specifically depended on Him in each situation.

I really want to live the words in Proverbs 3:5,6. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not onto your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Let's lean on Him for everything... before we twist our ankles or fall flat on our faces!

© CLUTCH, 2010 unless otherwise sourced.
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on dating your kids

What does: 

• eating out at Denny's and talking about crushes, 
• finding a way to get lost coming back from Taco Bell, 
• and going into my bedroom to eat Ramen noodles and play memory all have in common? 

They're just a few of the memorable dates my hubby and I have had with our kids. In fact, the Ramen date was so enjoyed by my 6-year-old it's been requested more than once!

Once we knew my PH was entering the ministry, we talked about how we could find a way to connect with our 4 kids on a regular basis one-on-one. 

We looked at our schedules and figured that if each of us goes on a date with each child once a month, then they would get focused one-on-one time with both of us every month. It's probably one of the best decisions we've made for our family health!

Here are a few reasons I'd encourage you to find a way to tuck some of these special moments into your week…

1. The kids TOTALLY look forward to it! We’ve had lapses here and there when things get busy, but they don’t let us go for long… they WANT to spend that special time with us!
2. WE look forward to it! When the weeks include so much of just regular living… tackling the never-ending Mt. Washmore, refereeing sibling fights, trying to get something edible AND attractive on the table once in awhile... it's easy to forget that our children have been given to us to train (yes), teach (yes), BUT also to just enjoy!!!
3. As our kids get older, we’ve seen this “date time” become a perfect opportunity for questions to get answered. Just last week, my oldest son confided in me about his first crush. (WHERE did the time go!?) Our date was a great place to chat about it…no little brothers or sisters interrupting or eavesdropping around the corner! In 2 weeks, when I take out my oldest daughter, it’s gonna be for her first bras! (Oh man, I’m feeling old!)

There are lots of other reasons too, but those are some of the most important. The wonderful thing about children is that it isn't so much what you do, but that you’re spending time with THEM. Some dates aren't even about spending money… like the times we go for walks at the park, feed the ducks, visit elderly church members, work on a cool science kit, or eat cold pizza and watch Youtube videos! 

The rewards of “dating” your kids can be so special… plus, it keeps them connected with you so that you will become one of their best friends throughout life. 

Soooo, I challenge you to get out your calendar and pick some times when you can date your kids. Start the tradition as young as you’d like… In the beginning you may actually be training yourself to get into the habit, but eventually your kids will be so grateful you took the time!

© CLUTCH, 2010 unless otherwise sourced.
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keeping our children's hearts

"Mom, I'm so happy to be part of this family. I'm glad you and Dad give us consequences so we learn how to be better." 

Wow! Hearing those words from my 12-year-old son made me want to melt, cheer from the roof-tops and hug him like crazy all rolled into one! 

We've been struggling with pre-adolescent attitudes lately and wondering how to keep close while still keeping in control. These words made me glimpse a little bit that what we are doing IS making a difference.

As I was growing up, I had lots of friends that were PK's (pastor's kids). And now with the wonderful world of social networking, I've reconnected with many of them. Unfortunately, my heart is sad to see how things have turned out for them. Downhill. Totally living for self. What happened? 

But isn't that so often what DOES happen with pastor's kids? 

Why do PK's so often choose the opposite of how they've been raised?

These are questions that have been on my heart since my husband started pursuing pastoral ministry 2 1/2 years ago. We're in the beginning stages right now, with Brad taking classes towards his theology degree and serving as the assistant pastor at our local church. But we've already seen how demanding of my hubby's time this life can be. Very rewarding, but busy.

So, is it just something that I need to resign myself to? "Teens will be teens" and "Kids will be kids"? Is it inevitable that pastor's kids will go through rebellion, maybe finally choosing a different way than we so desire for them? Do our children have to go through that "stage?"

I submit that the answer can be "No." In reading a book by Steve and Teri Maxwell entitled "Keeping the Heart of Your Children," I've seen that it isn't necessary for our kids to have to go through a time period where they hate their parents and rebel. Yes, they will become independant, but they don't have to do that with an attitude!

Before going back to school, my husband was a boys' residence dean at a boarding high school. This was not a place for troubled kids, but so often we saw issues that the teens had that, as we worked with the parents, we saw stemmed from their upbringing. Scary! I'm sure you would agree with me that the greatest desire of your heart is for your children to be true followers of Jesus. 

So, how do we do it!!???

I don't have all the answers and there are very many days when I feel like I'm at the bottom of the expert pile! But I feel that God is bringing the subject of keeping my children's hearts to the forefront of my mind and giving me ideas of how to do just that. Praise Him for sure, since I tend to revert to how I was raised: hollering and yelling, when left to my own ways.

So... take some time today to think about your PK's. 

Do you have their hearts? Who would they rather spend time with the most? How do they respond to correction? Is their heart turned to God? Or is it turned to whatever their friends are into? How much time do you spend together as a family as opposed to how much time your kids are elsewhere?

Let's answer those questions in our hearts and then talk to God. Ask Him if there is something we can do to show our kids that above everything, we love them so much. We love them enough to raise them with a higher view in mind... heaven. 

It's really easy to let the world's ways and views take over in our own homes. Let's pray that God can put a hedge of angels around our children and protect them from the strong pull of the world, which eventually pulls them away from us as their parents and ultimately, away from God.

I'm praying for all us moms (and dads) who want to keep our children's hearts!

 © CLUTCH, 2010 unless otherwise sourced.
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introducing a new columnist:: AMY

Amy Foote Minett writes from the West Coast of the United States as a PW who is fairly new to all this, since her husband changed careers to become a pastor after they were already married with children.

The last couple of years have brought my husband (Brad) my 4 beautiful children and me through some big life changes. After 9 years of working in schools with teens, God impressed us to pursue pastoral ministry. 

So now we live in South Lake Tahoe, CA where we juggle my husband's college classes towards a theology degree and his work as assistant pastor of our church, my homeschooling the kids and my home biz with Usborne Books, and all the other things we just seem to say "Yes" to (including my first 1/2 marathon in May!!!).

© CLUTCH, 2010 unless otherwise sourced.
Use allowed by express written permission only.
Tweets, trackbacks, and link sharing encouraged.

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