After my awful run last Saturday I was truly discouraged. Instead of staying in that gloomy state I went back out there on Monday and ran my longest distance to date.
And I felt great!
The problem on Saturday was that I was trying to run at a faster pace. I was trying to push myself at a pace that my body couldn’t handle. It made all the difference on Monday when I ran at my regular pace. I just ran. One foot in front of the other…….my pace at my best.
Photo from greatist.com
I make the same mistake with my schedule. Some weeknights are filled with meetings and appointments and classes. Those happen and are needed, but I’ve learned that I need open spaces in my calendar. I need evenings at home with no plan, no agenda…..just time at home with my family.
When I crowd my calendar with too much I become stressed out, irritable, overtired and if I go that way for too long, eventually I’ll become non-productive. I rush around from one place to the next without noticing the people around me. Missing opportunities.
NOT living like it matters.
I function best at a certain pace.
Not her pace. Not his pace. But my pace.
When I try to do life at a faster pace, I don’t take the time to say hello to the stranger behind me at Target. I won’t ask the single young mom at church if she needs help getting her three pre-schoolers to the car. I’ll ignore the waiter’s small talk. And my family’s needs are the first to go unmet.
When I’m going at a faster pace, I’ll get the task done. The meetings and appointments behind me. Items checked off the list.
But my creativity is stifled. Compassion is eclipsed by drivenness. And my relationships suffer.
There are fast paced seasons. We all have those. But we can’t keep the fast pace for long. It’s not good for me or you or the people around us.
So I am learning to go at my pace. Even better……God’s pace.
Because my pace matters. Yours does too.
Live like it matters.
We’ve finally figured it out. Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting him set the pace, not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade. Romans 3:28 (MSG)
Triple AMENS!!! I need unscheduled space as well. Beautifully and wisely said!
Thank you Dawn. I wrote this right after I’ve taken on a project for a women’s event. One like I’ve never done before. I’m excited but will remain mindful of my pace….praying for God’s pace to rule.
Our plans are not always His plans, right? Just when I thought my running was coming along nicely, I strained something on the side of my neck. Nothing serious, but enough to scupper my running plans.
So, after one week of ellipticals in the gym, I hit the road this morning! Boy! did it feel good.
Sometimes I feel like we are chugging along too merrily on our own, and He has to throw in a reminder that “Hey! Slow Down, I’m here”.
Thank you for articulating my thoughts so beautifully!
You’re right. He will remind us when we’re not moving in step with Him. Thank you sharing. Hope your neck is back to normal.
Thank you for thinking about my neck – no adverse repercussions from yesterday’s run, so I’m going to take it that it is all better!
Happy Trails!
Great message!
Thank you Paula.
Love this! I always say “Listen to your body”
Thank you. Since I’ve practiced listening intently to my body I run better.
This is fantastic… Thank you for this wonderful post. The line “Not her pace. Not his pace. But my pace.”, just hit me. Thanks.
Thank you Yuhu. I have to remind myself of this often.
I must too. You help me remind myself, this fact, today. I’m thankful to you.
everyone’s pace matters….nice…
Thank you. If only I would remember mine is different than those around me.
True….regards…