Out of Focus

I just finished reading a book titled "Unthinkable". It's about the first double-amputee to complete the Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon. It's been a very good book.

In keeping with my theme on Monday about the untruths that I have been telling myself, I found this part of the book very interesting. Scott Rigsby is out on the bike course part of the Hawaiian Ironman. He realizes that he's at mile 30 in 94 degree heat and he's not hot and sweaty. He asks the question out loud "Why am I not hot?". He thinks that something must be wrong. He then heard a dreamlike voice answer him "Because you are wrapped in the shadows of my love." and he says it was like he was above himself looking down and he saw a vision of two angel wings completely covering him. The only shadow he saw was half of his wheel. He gets past the 60 mile mark where he had to turn to go back the way he'd come, and the winds become begin to work against him. Then he hits mile 80 and he feels like he's being pushed backwards. He says it's the worst wind you've ever experienced...that even professional athletes have been blown across the course into guardrails because of hte winds. So, he begins talking to God. He says "Lord, could you help me out here with the wind? This kind of stinks on a universal level." He goes on to describe what he calls a 'full-blown, two-year-old's tantrum." for the next few miles, yelling at God and wondering where He is and why He won't stop the winds. Then Scott looks up and realizes that he's back, almost directly across from the spot where he'd had the angelic vision. He says "What a jerk I was to forget so quickly." Then he says to God "Excuse me, God? Um, sorry about that stuff back there. Are we cool?"

How often this happens in our lives. We all have so many situations that we say (or very well could say) "Where's God at in this?" "If God really cared (or if He really existed), why did He let this happen?" or "Why didn't He fix this for me?" But, see, Scott Rigsby was trying to do the Unthinkable...no one had ever done it before...and if it was a piece of cake for him to get through, it would have been no big triumph...if He didn't need to lean on the supernatural strength, if He could just do it himself, then how would the Lord be seen as all-powerful, and nothing being impossible with Him? I forget this lesson repeatedly. I have so many times in daily life when I wonder "Why did you let this happen to me?" That was my thought the first week I was having stomach issues and had to tell Brian. That's always my thought the first time that happens. But, if it didn't happen, I wouldn't have gotten to experience the depth of mercy that Brian has for my situation, nor would I have known what a gift God has given me. If I could go into the gym and do everything just like everyone else, then, I would be just another person at the gym...I most likely wouldn't have the chance to share my testimony and God's grace with you on here or with people that ask me...or people just wouldn't really care to listen as much.

So, anyway, that's what I mean about untruths...it isn't that it's not reality. But when we get out of focus of what our goal is, and when we look to our general life circumstances, it can keep us caught for a very long time. My conversation with Brian last weekend about not having a job had lots of realities in it, and he really didn't blame me for feeling the way I felt. But, the truth is that God is glorified the most when things aren't all hunky dorey in our lives. I just need to stay focused on the truth that He will never leave me or forsake me. I need to stay focused on the goal that He has given me to complete, just like He gave Scott Rigsby to complete. :-D My friend put this quote on her Facebook status: "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." ~ Thomas A. Edison. God doesn't promise that it's going to be easy and fun. He just promises to get us through it. And He does...even when we don't think He does. Scott Rigsby had 17 hours to complete the triathlon without being disqualified. He made it in 16 hours 42 minutes and 46 seconds....not a piece of cake, but he made it.


Wow, not sure when my blog turned into a daily sermon. lol. Hope you all don't mind. Just really seeing things differently lately. I guess I am finally bringing my walls back down. :-)

Today was very good....but very early. I wasn't completely pleased, but Brian didn't seem unhappy. I think my muscles just weren't awake. I didn't do badly...it was just what I felt like. My elbow didn't hurt as badly. Brian kinda rubbed it out a time or two this week :-)

I was there so early so I could leave for Ann Arbor. That's where I'm writing you from!! YAY!!! Time to RELAX!!! Goin back home on Friday.

Cambered Bar Rows - 85 lbs., 5 sets of 10.
Dumbbell Rows (Single Arm) - 40 lbs., 2 sets, 20 & 15.
Shrugs - 85 lbs., 3 sets of 12.
Commando Chin Ups - 3 sets of 8.
Facedown Inclined Lateral Raises - 15 lbs., 12. 20 lbs., 2 sets of 12.
Chops - 2 sets of 12, and one set I did 5 chops and 5 pressing the cable out from my chest and holding it steady for a 10 count.

Stretching! :-D

Happy New Year Everybody!!!!!!!!