She Did What She Could

Recently, I went on my longest run in order to cap off my training for the Dallas Marathon in December.  I had been adding about 2 miles to each of my long runs the past few weekends which culminated in an 18 mile run.  The typical long run before a marathon is about 20 miles.  On the ride home, I was happy about my run but those 2 miles haunted me.  Why did I stop at 18?  Am I still ready for a marathon without doing the full 20?  Will those 2 miles keep me from reaching my goal?

Ridiculous, right?  But we do it all the time in so many areas of our lives.

Why didn’t I get up an hour earlier to start cleaning the house?

Why didn’t I plan that lesson better so my kiddos would be able to really understand fractions?

Why didn’t I stay at work an hour later to finish this yesterday?

My mom and I go to Sweet Celebration at Stonebriar Community Church every year.  It is an evening where mostly women get together to hear a special message and EAT DESSERT!  It always falls right around my birthday and is a great excuse to go crazy at multiple dessert buffet tables.  There is always a guest speaker before the dessert consumption.  There is a message from one year in particular that stuck with me.  I do not remember the guest speaker, but I do remember the title of the message “She Did What She Could”. 

The speaker referenced the passage in the Bible where Jesus goes to the home of Martha and Mary.  Martha is basically running around like a hot mess trying to prepare everything to make it perfect for Jesus while Mary sits at His feet listening to Him.  Martha calls out Mary for being lazy and Jesus snaps back telling Martha she needs to chill and Mary has made the right decision. 

(Luke 10:38-42)

This time of year it is so easy to feel like your best is not good enough.  It is easy to question if you even did your best.  Did you give as much as you could?  Did you work as hard as you could?  Did you make everyone happy?  And all of these questions take away from resting and spending time with loved ones which is what this season is all about.

When I get wrapped up in not feeling like I did enough, I often repeat the title of that message and it brings me peace.  It is not an excuse.  It is the recognition that I will never be perfect.  I will always be my biggest critic.  I will always have something to strive for next time.  But for today, for this moment, “she did what she could”.

Buzz Ya Later,

Whit

Home

“I feel home,
When I see the faces that remember my own.
I feel home,
When I'm chillin outside with the people I know.

I feel home,
And that's just what I feel.
Home to me is reality,
And all I need is something real.”

“I Feel Home” by O.A.R

Often in books and movies, the main character heads home when there is a major conflict in his/her life.  Home is usually the childhood house the character grew up in where his/her parents still live.  There is something peaceful about a place that holds many of our memories with friends and family.  Memories of the “best days ever” and memories of overcoming heartbreak.  Our childhood pets may still be there or at least pictures and memories of them. 

Growing up my family moved about every 3-4 years due to my dad’s job.  I was born in Nashville, but soon moved to Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and now reside in Texas.  It was definitely hard to feel settled when you knew that a change was sure to come.  It was hard to find my home.

Knoxville, Tennessee at that time was the only constant in my life.  It is where the majority of my family lived and still do.  We would visit about every 6 months or more often.  No matter where my physical home was, I would always find myself at home in Knoxville. 

Recently, Duke and I went to a UT (University of TENNESSEE) watch party in Plano.  It was the BIG GAME of the year – the only one that matters in my brother’s opinion – the Florida Gators.  It was not a pretty game for us, but we pulled it out at the end.  The watch party went crazy – Rocky Top blaring, “I said it’s great to be a Tennessee Vol” being chanted, high fives all around.  And in that moment – I felt home.

Your home may be a house, apartment, other dwelling place, city, state, country, mountain top, shoreline, or even a person or pet.  It is a place of rest and relaxation.  A place to “take your bra off” and just be yourself.  There is no one to be professional for.  There is no one there to judge you.  It is your escape and respite from the world around you.  Maybe you go there every day or maybe it is somewhere you haven’t been in a long time.  My suggestion to you is to return there whenever you can.  Take some time away from the daily toil and struggles of life and just be at home for a bit.  I find that when we are home often enough we seem to carry a bit of it with us even when we are far away.

Buzz Ya Later,

Whit

The Beauty of Support

There is something about long distance races that makes you recognize and acknowledge the beauty of support.  Even when it is not family or friends, you can see it and feel it.  It is on the faces of people holding up signs that say “Go Stranger, Go!”  It is the woman holding out a box of tissues for anyone who needs them on a cold, winter morning.  It is the volunteers who get up extra early to pass out water and sports drinks during all types of weather.  It is the police officer playing “Eye of the Tiger” on his harmonica while directing traffic as you jog by. 

I saw it recently while waiting for Duke at the Chicago Marathon.  The family reunion area was packed with anxiously waiting family members when I got there at about 11 a.m.  Families and friends were waiting with signs, balloons, flowers, and hugs.  Volunteers were there too.  Every time a runner hobbled up to the beer tent, multiple volunteers cheered.   

I guarantee you there would less people crossing the finish line without support.  By the end of a long run, it is all mental and there is something so motivating about the people cheering you on and the loved ones anxiously waiting to congratulate you at the finish line.

It can also be seen when there is struggle and defeat.  It is the helping hand that reaches out when you fall because you trip or your body gives out.  It is the medics along the course who are there to assist anyone with a cramp to a broken bone or an even more dire situation.  It is the hug when tears fall down.  And it is the fact that no one says “you didn’t try hard enough”.  It is the reassurance of “it is amazing that you even tired and we will be here to support you next time and the time after that”.

Support is necessary to be successful in all areas of life.  It is important that we let those in our lives know that they are not alone in their struggles and triumphs.  We are there for them whether we can actually be there physically or not.  We have their backs.  We are cheering them on.  And we will be there at the finish line no matter what the outcome of their race.

Buzz Ya Later,

Whit