Even my car has a story

It's funny how even a car has a story behind it. 

It may sound funny but I would like to tell the story behind mine. 

It was my 18th birthday and my parents woke me up to give me my birthday present. I knew it had to be a car. That's all I had asked for (specifically a red mustang). We walked outside and there was nothing out of the ordinary in my drive way.  We kept walking down the street and there in my neighbors driveway was a red ford. As I approached it I realized it was not a mustang but a Taurus. I wouldn't admit it but I was upset but thankful. 

Boring story cut short: 

That car lasted way longer than it should have. I took late night trips to the beach, I took photo adventures with friends. I drove to places I shouldn't have been. I did things in the car that I regret and yet the car still ran. I never once had to change a tire, had to call my dad because it broke down, I never ran out of gas. 

Would I have been so lucky with a mustang? 

I complained frequently to my dad about my car. He would always tell me the same thing " you are blessed without a payment. Run that car into the ground." 

Every few months he would give me a deadline. "Just wait 3 more years." The. It turned into "well save some money and ill help you." Then about 8 months ago he told me by 2014 maybe he would help me sell it. 

About 2 months ago I told him I needed a more age appropriate car. One that would be more suitable to my needs now. I couldn't see myself driving kids in that car. He told me to wait till January and we would figure it out. 

Last Monday  I was driving home from work and a lady pulled out in front of me. I was in shock. I didn't want to spend money on my car. After many phone calls to her insurance they agreed they were at fault. I secretly wished my car would be a total loss. I received a call yesterday and sure enough my car was a total loss. 

I signed papers and gave my title over and received a check. The check was more than I would have gotten if I had waited to sell it. Not only was I blessed with the money but I walked away not hurt. 

My ever so Kind father is selling me my moms car and I also have money for a vacation!!  

Have I told you how much The Lord has blessed me? 

Strength

Where should I begin when there is so much to say? It is hard to stop once I let my guard down. 

 

I wonder if I will ever wake up and not regret something I've done. I love my life and the people in it. I would not change the course of my life, just maybe a few past mistakes. 

I am so blessed with the life I have. It was not easy to get here. I never thought I would be where I am in life. If you told me even 3 years ago I would be happy and forgiven I wouldn't believe you. If you had told me 5 years ago I would be set free from bondage I would have laughed. 

The Lord is a forgiving and merciful God.  

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Isaiah 40:29 

Running

As I run I do not listen to music, I do not listen to a motivate speaker, no I just run. 

There is so much caos in my life, so many noises, so many distractions and when I run I just listen. 

In the past I was good at running now not so much. I was good at running; away from my problems, and away from what I needed to admit. Running was away to avoid the stress in my life that I could not deal with. In high school I became obsessed with running. It was not an enjoyment but a way to keep control in my life. 

 I have come a long way since then. God is showing me so much these past years. I can no longer run away from my problems. I am stronger now.

I met with a good friend of mine this week and she told me about an American Olympian named Ryan Hall. This is his quote she shared with me. 

“I was a runner who happened to be a Christian. I needed to become a Christian who happened to be a runner”                                                                      --Ryan Hall

When she told me about this I immediately felt I needed to live more like this quote.

For so long I have allowed myself to say I was a Christian but I was not following Christ.

Who are we if we do not listen to what we are called to do? So many of us ignore God's calling on our lives. We are not willing to follow Him yet we still want his blessings. 

For so many years I wanted to run away from God and my problems but I still wanted him to run beside me. I was not willing to run the race he called for me so I would go my own way instead. I want to be a Christan first and foremost.

These past times I have ran I have allowed myself to just be quiet (besides my loud gasping for air) and listen to God. Yesterday I was about to give up when I passed a mom yelling at her son to run and catch up to her. As I rounded the corner a little boy no older then 3 came running towards me. As I dodged out of his way he stuck his hand out to me. I could not help but stick my hand out and give him a high five. That little boy has no clue what an impact he made on me. Not only did he bring a smile to my face but a motivation to press on. How many times do we want give up? How many times do we feel all alone? That little boy is a reminder to me that we are not alone. 

No I do not listen to music as I run but I am learning to listen to God for He is my motivation.

Everyday Heroes

It's funny the things kids do and say.
I was working kids night at my work and I loved being able to hold conversations with the kids at the table.

One little boy seemed shy at first but when I asked him how old he was he opened up and began to ramble. He told me he was 4 and his brother was five. Exact quote "my brother can crack pecans." I started to laugh but then quickly realized this was his way of telling me that he looked up to his brother.

How many times to we look up to people because of the little things they do. We often put people on pedestal because of something great they have accomplished or the name they have made for themselves.

If we took the time to stop and think about who we admire or look up to it would not always be celebrities or those who are famous.

Ordinary people are the ones we should look up to.

Who I look up to:

My father. High school drop out, not a Christian, rough background.
Who is he now? A successful man who has his own business. He is amazing at everything he does and a wonderful heart for the Lord and people.

A good friend of mine. My second mother.
She is strong willed but caring. Tough but loving. So many times has she let me and many others into her home, not acting as we are an incontinence. Plus she can fix almost anything :)

Yes there are times when we don't feel that we inspire anyone or that we are just plain and simple but people really do look up to us.

Either if it is your younger siblings or a friend, even a bystander.

Let's strive to be a person someone can look up to but also keep those close to you that inspire you- those that you look up to.

Familia

I love life and family.
I spent the whole day with my family. Thank you God for my amazing family and a on growing extended family as well.
Went to dinner for my grannies 88th birthday. It was good seeing family I hadn't seen it years and pretending I remembered some that I didn't.
Time has changed and we have all grown up. What a change it was seeing everyone after so many years.
Crazy memories and unfamiliar faces.

Some I have a past with others I don't even know whose blood we share.
I love having a big family.

Step forward

I took a step forward and a few steps back today.
It was a tough day but it's going to get better.
I was encouraged today to think of what my needs and wants are.
I can not say I have ever though of those. This should be an interesting experience.

incomprehensible

My mind is constantly wandering today.
I am scared, happy and lost in thought but overall tired.
Off to bed, my mind needs to rest.