It's My Goal... And I Can Explain...

WHY in the world did you do this??

What in the world would make you want to run 13.1 miles, in the heat, in giant crowds, through the streets of an unfamiliar town?

I’m glad you asked! Well, ok -even though you may not have actually “asked”, I feel led to tell you.  

Over the last few months, I’ve been working through a Half Marathon training program so that I could participate in the Rock N Roll Half Marathon in Savannah, GA on November 3^rd. In order to get through my training, I have run late at night, I have run early in the morning in the pitch dark, I have run while pushing my children (at a combined 67 pounds) in the jogging stroller, I have run in the pouring rain, and I have given up sleeping in on the weekend by running early every single Saturday for the last 7 weeks. 

This is when I had to go out and run in the pouring rain.

Oddly though, I don’t really consider myself a “runner” and am typically pretty hesitant to even say that I run. In fact, the only reason I’ve become vocal about it lately is for the sake of accountability. If I know people know I am training for a specific goal, I can’t just give up. 

But - I know that my pace is not nearly as fast as a traditional runner’s pace. I also know that I don’t look like a typical runner. At 5’1, I’m short, I have short legs, and well, let’s just say that I’m not a size 2 :) There are days I struggle for every single mile, and I'm sure it doesn't look pretty as I work to get my feet off the ground. And, after some long runs I'm so disgustingly drenched in sweat I'm not sure what the original color of my shirt was. Yet… somehow my legs have managed to carry me over 100 miles in the last 2 months. 

So here are a few of the key motivators behind this difficult, long, rewarding, and personal journey. 

1.       It’s on my “Bucket List”, plain and simple. Ever since I ran my very first individual race in October 2009 (The Virginia 4 Miler), I have said that I wanted to run a half marathon. So this has been on my mind for awhile, and just turned into a personal desire of mine.  I turned 30 this past February, and thought this year would be a perfect year to make it happen in honor of my new decade.  There’s no time like the present, right? :)

2.       As I look back at the past 10 years, I’ve always been driving towards a goal or working through a challenge. First it was to graduate early to get married, then to complete my Master’s degree, then to get Joey through his cancer treatments, then for many years my main focus was just on getting through fertility treatments and getting pregnant. So about 6 months ago, I found myself pondering this and thought “now what?” I don’t need more schooling, I’ve had my children, and Joey is well. Yes, I’m content and active as a mom, a wife, a teacher, and am busy with roles at church, but what about a more personal goal? Something that I can put effort into outside of my roles at home and church? I don’t want to be stagnate or just ok with the status quo. I want to do more. I want to challenge myself. I want my children to see mommy working towards a goal and striving to be better.

3.        This third reason is probably the most personal of all, but I think it’s necessary to be transparent to explain my full desire to train for this race. When Joey was diagnosed with cancer in 2005, we knew we either wouldn’t be able to have any biological children, or that the journey to having them would be very difficult. The latter proved true. It was a complicated, emotionally and physically exhausting journey, but God carried us, and in the end, He graciously blessed us with our two precious children. That chapter in our lives is now closed, and we are not able to have anymore biological children. Growing up I thought I’d be a baby making machine! So honestly, there are days that dealing with this new reality is still very difficult for me. It’s not that I don’t trust God and His perfect plan for us; it’s that I’m a woman who had a longing in my heart to get pregnant – a lot! – and have lots of children. So it’s working through my own emotions. So where does running come into play? Easy – it’s something else productive and healthy that I can do with my body!  If I can’t pop out babies, why not do something else that’s good for my body and healthy?! Plus, it’s a good way to “reclaim” my body as mine after 1 c-section and 1 tough delivery.

4.       I want our home to be one where our children grow up believing that fitness is the rule – not the exception. I don’t want to sit idle and then have my children model that. And having children that are active and goal driven can start with me. Over the last few weeks Abigail has shown a real interest in running and she really truly enjoys putting on her tennis shoes and going out with mommy for a run. And honestly, she’s pretty fast too! :) A few months ago, this wasn’t the case. I want to create a culture in our home of being active!

Me and Abs out on a run together!

5.       Lastly, WHY NOT run a half marathon!? They have these races all the time… if others can do it, why can’t I? What would be stopping me? Why shouldn’t I want to attain this goal? So as Nike says – JUST DO IT! Besides, after most half marathons, you get a pretty blinged out medal! :)

So, I will continue to lace up the running shoes, put in my pearl earrings, turn on my running tunes, strap down my Under Armour visor, and get my feet hitting the pavement – even if I don’t “look” like a runner and even if I’m not as fast as everyone else. As long my legs will go, I will keep going. And in a few weeks, I hope and pray that I can say that this is one goal I can cross off my bucket list.

So – what about YOU?? Do you have a personal goal? A personal challenge you are working towards?

If so, what is it?

If not, why not? 

I encourage everyone to break the molds, break the labels, and try something NEW. Challenge yourself. You might be impressed with how far you can go. 

 And P.S.- If you are an avid runner and don't think 13.1 is a big deal, well kudos to you for your fitness and running prowess, but please don't burst my bubble. Thanks :) 

A Shepherd Boy or a King?

This week has been a big week in our family. Our first born child left the familiar comforts of home and started pre-school! She was so excited to be going to school, and Joey and I were confident in knowing that this was her next step and the next phase for her, and she was going to a school where she would be well taken care of. 

As Abigail is “out on her own” more, and this new experience officially begins her educational journey – which is such an integral part in our overall journey – I have been praying that God would use this time away to nurture her, grow her, and mold her little self into who HE wants her to be. That these early years would gently guide her into becoming the young lady, and eventually the adult, that God desires her to be. 

So I think it was no accident that I came across a particular verse in 1 Chronicles this week. At this point in Chronicles, God was reassuring David of His promise, and says to David: 

“I chose you to lead my people Israel when you were just a shepherd boy, tending sheep out in the pasture.” 1 Chronicles 17:7

What struck me is that here was this lowly shepherd boy, who others probably had little hope for, and yet GOD saw his eternal and magnificent potential. God chose the most unlikely young man to lead HIS own people. 

This reminded me of a song my own father used to sing, called “Shepherd Boy” that looks at the choosing of David to be King. Part of the song says:

“So when others see a Shepherd boy,

God may see a King.

Even though, your life seems filled, with ordinary things.

In just a moment,

He can touch you, and everything will change.

So when others see a Shepherd boy…. GOD may see a KING.”

Throughout the week I haven’t been able to get this verse, or song, out my thoughts. As a mother, it’s really convicted me… 

What do I see when I really look at our children? Do I, as their mother who knows their strengths and weaknesses, unknowingly put limitations on them? When our daughter says she wants to be a doctor, do I ever so quickly think “yeah, that's too hard” in the back of my mind? Do I unintentionally place boundaries on their potential by rationalizing reality? 

Do I only see a shepherd boy? 

Or as a mother do I see our children through God’s eyes, with unlimited potential and eternal and magnificent purpose? Do I trust and believe one hundred percent that God has great plans in store for them that my mind can’t fully comprehend? Do I fully encourage every dream, praying and knowing that God will direct them? 

Do I see a King? 

I pray that as a parent I can look at my children, and pray for my children, and love my children fully in this way, “For when others see a shepherd boy, God may see a King.”

Teaching Children to Worship

WORSHIP… 

                A word that evokes so much thought, so much emotion, and at times so much controversy. 

What IS worship? How DO we worship? What is INVOLVED in worship?

It’s a topic that there is so much ambiguity about, yet it is so vital to who we are as Christ-followers.

This past Sunday at church our Senior Pastor, and my very own husband – our church worship pastor –taught on the popular topic of “What is Worship?”. 

In summary, we learned that worship:

-          Acknowledges God as WORTHY of our praise.

-          Is our PERSONAL RESPONSE to all God has done for us.

-          Is SACRIFICAL and SUBMISSIVE. We offer God all that we are, and expect nothing back in return.

-          Is not just singing. Worship involves our thoughts and our actions too.

-          Is a LIFESTYLE, not just what we do on Sunday mornings.

-          Involves LOVE and OBEDIENCE.

-          Includes loving God with all of our HEART, SOUL, and MIND.

As I’ve been pondering over the lessons of Sunday and how to have a life marked by genuine worship, I was struck with my responsibility as a MOM. 

I want my children to grow up learning about God, and learning to LOVE God. I want my children to understand WORSHIP, and how to have a lifestyle that HONORS God – a lifestyle marked with genuine, loving, obedient worship.

So I’ve been brainstorming a list (although not an exhaustive one – I know there is much more) in which, even while children are at a young age, we can begin to intentionally instill these qualities within our little ones in hopes that they grow to LOVE GOD with all their Heart, Soul, and Mind. 

1.       Teach them SCRIPTURE.  Even as newborns, recite verses to children. As they get to 2 and older, they can memorize the verses themselves. Here are just a few (abbreviated) verses that work great for instilling qualities of worship, and could be taught at an early age:

a.       “Be KIND to one another.” Ephesians 4:32 (This could even be shortened to “Be Kind” for very young children). This verse instills how we should treat and love others.

b.      “Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul.” Proverbs 16:24. Another verse about how to treat others and loving others.

c.       “God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7. This verse teaches about giving to God freely and sacrificially, teaching children at a young age that all belongs to Him.

d.      “Be Still, and know I am God.” Psalm 46:10 – This verse emphasizes a trust in God’s character.

e.      “God created the Heavens and Earth.” Genesis 1:1 –This verse establishes God’s power.

f.        “Children obey your parents.” Ephesians 6:1 – This verse instills the importance of obedience. Children must learn to obey their parents before they are willing to submit to and obey Christ.

g.       “Love God with all your Heart, Soul, and Mind.” Matthew 22:37 – A verse that shows the qualities of a life marked by Worship.

2.       Teach children to GIVE THANKS.  As young children are learning to pray, teach them to thank God for something special in their day that happened, or something that made them happy. Let them learn to thank God even for the little things in their day.

3.       Teach them about SACRIFICE.  It’s Sunday morning… we are rushing out the door to barely get to Sunday School on time and our little child asks for money for her Sunday School offering. We grab some change off the dresser, shove it in our child’s little fist, and then run out the door. It’s a scenario I’m sure we’ve all faced more than once. I know I have! J

But what is that teaching our children? It teaches them nothing about sacrifice, loving God through giving, or personal responsibility. Here’s an idea to keep the Sunday morning “offering rush” from happening, while teaching children to sacrifice and give at the same time:

When your children get money - whether it is allowance, earning chore money, or just money they found in the couch cushions- have a baggie or container for “JESUS” money. Explain to children that for all God has done for us, we give a little bit of our money back to him. Have the child choose an amount to put in the “Jesus” baggie, and praise their willingness to “give to Jesus.” Then on Sunday morning, they can proudly take money that THEY have collected to give at church.

I’ve learned from experience that doing this – having a child give their own money to Jesus – makes children very proud of themselves, and also very eager to give! Putting money in the “Jesus” baggie becomes a source of excitement, which is also a good teachable moment to emphasize the “God loves a cheerful giver” verse. Plus, they are learning sacrificial giving at the same time. It’s a win-win!

4.       Teach them about God and WHO He is through Bible Stories.  Get a family devotional, children’s Bible board books, Bible videos – anything that will teach children those “classic” Bible lessons so at an early age they know about God’s power to perform miracles, heal the sick, protect his own people, make coins appear in a fish’s mouth, create the universe, love the unlovable and outcasts, etc. These lessons teach children from an early age about the power, person, and character of Christ.

5.       Let them SING!!!   There is nothing sweeter than hearing a child belt out an old Sunday School standard like “Jesus Loves Me” or “This is the Day” Have good Christian music on in the house and in the car. Sing to them, sing with them – just fill them with Christ-honoring music and encourage them to sing!

6.       Be their EXAMPLE.  As a parent, this can be a tough one because of busyness and just an overall lack of time, but it may be the most important point on the list. Our children have no greater resource to see a lifestyle of worship than watching their own parents.

a.       Let them see you, and hear you, pray.

b.      Let them see you reading your Bible. And make a point to tell them that’s what you are doing.

c.       Let them see you going to church faithfully.

d.      Let them see you being kind to others.

e.      Let them see you giving.

f.        Let them hear you talking about God.

And that’s my list… Not an exhaustive list by any means, but hopefully a good place to start. 

Just a few practical ways to help our children develop a life marked by worship - a life that will honor God with love and obedience, sacrifice and submission, and a surrender of heart, soul, and mind.  

As parents our task is great… but its rewards are far greater. 

I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

3 John 1:4

Leaving a Legacy – Lessons from the Kings of Israel and Judah

As I started reading the book of 1 Kings, I must be completely transparent and admit I wasn’t sure the course of “then he was king… then he ruled… then he was king” would be all that enticing. But, as the pages unfolded to tell the lineage of the kings of Israel, and then Judah, what spilled all over the pages was a striking lesson on the incredible impact we have in leaving a legacy for our families.

A quick recap of where it all started(I Kings that is) … It began with David, who was a man after God’s own heart – a phrase we hear all the time. Although not perfect, David led Israel – and members of his family - to love and honor God, and he brought great power to the nation of Israel. His son Solomon was the next to reign, and during the first portion of Solomon’s reign, his “reputation…brought honor to the name of the Lord.” (I Kings 10:1).

Solomon was following in his father’s spiritual footsteps, as David had left him a legacy - a spiritual heritage - to follow. David did what all father’s should try to do for their children – he brought Solomon up to honor and obey the Lord. In fact in chapter 9, verses 4-5, God tells Solomon: “if you will follow me with integrity and godliness, as David your father did....I will establish the throne of your dynasty forever.”

This confirms that not only was David successful in leaving a legacy of faith and godliness to at least some of his children, but it also confirms that God ultimately blesses those families that serve HIM faithfully.

But the story doesn’t end there. Unfortunately – Solomon got distracted. We all see those “shiny” things that capture our attention, our time, our talents. Temptatations that would pull our attention from Jesus and His love are everywhere, and how easy it is for us to get side-tracked. Solomon did. I Kings 11:2-3 state: “The Lord had clearly instructed his people not to intermarry…because the women they married would lead them to worship their gods. YET Solomon insisted on loving them anyway.” (Emphasis on YET my own).

The key word there is YET. Solomon knew what was right; likewise he knew what was wrong. And he did it anyway. He saw something shiny, something he wanted, something that, at first glance, appeared better, something that was a great temptation to him – and he folded.

This slippery slope, this initial distraction away from God and HIS ways, lead Israel to idol worship, raised up enemies against Solomon, and would ultimately lead to the breakdown of Israel, the death of Solomon, and a new generation of Kings who did evil in the sight of the Lord (to be discussed further in Part 2).

My take away here is a two-fold.

First, David wasn’t perfect. He sinned. But God used him in a might way, and because David was faithful, God planned to use the family of David in a mighty way. As a parent, I’m not perfect. I sin. As my spouse, Joey’s not perfect. He sins. But if we allow God to work in us, and we have a heart for him, as David did, and we establish a legacy for our children, as David did, what blessings will God bestow upon the generations of “Colsons” yet to come from us and our children?

Secondly, Solomon had everything. He had wisdom, he had power, he had wealth, and he had the blessings of God. But he got distracted. Something pulled his attention away from the Lord. And how quickly his legacy changed. I pray that I don’t get distracted – even when it gets hard and I grow weary. I pray that each day I can focus on moving forward, obedient, and strong in my faith so that my legacy doesn’t become tainted, leaving my children spiritually weak and ungrounded.

Of course, a nation isn’t at stake – but my family is.

I guess my challenge for those reading this would be: Are you leaving a strong legacy of faith, grounded in Christ, with a family “reputation…[that brings] honor to the name of the Lord” or are you getting distracted? Your family heritage may depend on it.

2011 Highlights

A year in review… Looking back at the highlights of 2011:

Just the other day, as Joey and I were holding our annual “Colson Budget Summit” for 2012, we took time to take a look back at our financial obligations, challenges, and outcomes from 2011. But we didn’t just stop there. We then also listed out all the ways God provided for us in 2011. It was a refreshing practice to sit and list out so many of the blessings of 2011 and reflect on how God brought our family through another year. As we looked at our “list,” it went much further, beyond just finances – as we reflected on 2011 we were able to see HIS provision for us and how HE continues to be faithful – in all things. In many ways, 2011 was both a year of settling down and a year of change, and also a year of blessings and dreams fulfilled.

First and foremost, this was our first entire year in our first home! In many aspects we are still getting settled - rearranging, reorganizing, and cleaning out! We are starting to understand what it means to be home owners too! It’s a great blessing to have our home and we love it, but we were definitely spoiled having a landlord to call all those years we lived in Virginia! Throughout the year, we were able to complete many “home improvement” projects that included: painting and decorating Benjamin’s nursery, painting our bathroom, putting new light fixtures in both bathrooms, painting the dining room and bathroom, putting up chair rail, and retouching much of the paint on the outside doors and windows. We had the help of friends and family to complete many of these projects, and that definitely helped these two home owner “newbies” :)

In May, perhaps the greatest blessing of 2011 and dream fulfilled came in the form of our precious little boy Benjamin Harper. He was born on Mother’s Day, May 8, 2011 and he is sweeter and lovelier than I could have imagined. He’s got a precious disposition and his smile and big blue eyes can steal anyone’s heart. What an incredible joy he is to our family!

Benjamin’s entry made Abigail an official “Big Sister” and she plays the role quite well! She is very inquisitive of what he is doing, what he needs, and how he wants to “share” his toys. Abigail continues to amaze us with her abilities to count, do her letters, shapes, colors, and just digest and remember information! She really enjoys “watching daddy sing at church” and going to Puggles class in AWANA. Our big girl turned 3 this year, and loves dolls, ballerinas, having tea parties, and playing outside.

Another significantly huge milestone for our family happened in June, just after our 8^th wedding anniversary, when Joey officially celebrated his FIFTH year of remission and being cancer free. I remember when Joey was so very ill, and doctors weren’t sure if he’d make it through the year, and a five year remission anniversary seemed so distant. But God healed Joey then, and continues to sustain his health now. To celebrate this particular milestone, Abigail and I decorated the house with yellow streamers and balloons, took a yellow and white cake up to church, took him out to lunch, and got him a shirt that said “ReMission Accomplished.” It was a wonderful “5 Year Cancerversary” celebration.

October 2011 brought the one year anniversary since we packed up our Uhaul and left Lynchburg, and moved to Hartsville, also marking Joey’s first full year as the Worship Pastor at Emmanuel. He absolutely enjoys his job and the wonderful people he gets to serve with and work with.

Those are only a few milestones from the year, but each made a significant impact not only in our 2011, but in our lives, and each shows God’s faithfulness to us. As we look ahead to 2012, I pray that it is a year we can be content in knowing that HE is faithful, wants the best for us, and guides our steps and directs our paths.

**I wrote this blog post a bit over a week ago (just never got around to posting it), without any idea of what would unfold in the days ahead – surgery and days in the hospital for our little boy, mounting medical bills, unexpected time from work, and pure exhaustion. I think the final paragraph – the final sentence – were perhaps words God gave me to type then, knowing I may need them days later, just in time for the first challenge of 2012. “HE is faithful, wants the best for us, and guides our steps and directs our paths.”