A – ACTIVITY
I have never been athletically inclined. Oh, I tried a thing or two here or there, but it is just not one of my abilities. Joshua was an avid runner. He started running in the 6th grade. He was so young that I didn’t want him to run by himself so I would “run” with him. Basically, I just tried to keep him in sight.
After he passed away, a 5K was planned in his memory. It was so important to me that I be able to run the entire 5K and that I finish in a respectable time. I wanted so badly to make him proud.
I also wanted to have the stamina to run to the place where he was found. While some prefer to go to the cemetery, I wanted to go where he met Jesus. I wanted to be at the place where he saw his Savior for the first time face-to-face. That place was 2 ½ miles from our home.
I started training. It was so hard. Remember the grief fatigue. It took more energy because of the weight of sadness that I was carrying. But there was a 5K on the calendar, and I couldn’t let Joshua down. I continued to run.
After some time, I began to notice some mental changes. I didn’t feel as depressed or discouraged as before. I even felt as though some of the weight that I had been carrying had lightened. That’s when I realized that running was not only helping me physically, it was also helping me mentally. I kept running. I continued to notice improvement in both areas.
Our bodies need to move. Take a walk outside, go for a bike ride or a swim, walk around the mall with a friend.
It doesn’t have to be anything strenuous, just move. I can tell when it has been too long since I have hit the pavement. I feel sad, more tired and discouraged. If I am being honest, when I feel like going the least is when I usually need it the most.
God created us, and we are meant to glorify Him. It is important that we take care of ourselves so that, as much as is within our control, we have the physical health to serve.
What kind of activities have you found that help you?
With Eyes on the Cross 