I had an experience last night that I wanted to share. I have been trying to work out every day. I even have myself a personal trainer friend who has been assigning me death workouts. Yesterday my assigned personal hell was to find a "super steep hill" and go up and down it 8 times with squats at the top and the bottom. I DID NOT want to do this workout. I had planned on doing it in the morning when it wasn't 100 degrees out, but ended up with a flat tire and had to go to work as soon as it was changed. After much procrastination and whining I left and headed to the steepest hill in Falls City. I parked my car at the top because I knew if I didn't I would jump in it at the bottom and go home. I started out going down and then turned and faced the hill. Man...I did not think I was going to be able to do it. It was late and I had a busy day...and I had 5 billion other excuses. I started up the hill. I couldn't even make it halfway without stopping to catch my breath. My calves were burning and I thought..."what the heck am I doing" but I made it to the top. I wanted to get in my car and go home but I couldn't face my personal trainer friend and tell him how weak I am (even though he already knows) so I went down again and back up. Funny thing is that the second time up seemed a little itty bitty bit easier. Was I making this up? Was my mind playing tricks on me? No...as I made it to the top I walked a little farther without having to stop and catch my breath.I thought about the first time I worked out with my friend and he put his hand on my back and literally pushed me through one of my workouts. I noticed that the walk down the hill was such a perfect break to get my heart beat back in normal range and to keep me from hyper ventilating. My legs were wobbly by the 4th time up and down but I kept going. The 5-8 trips I did not even have to stop to catch my breath. I made it all the way to the top without stopping. I am sure you are wondering why I am sharing my pathetic out of shapeness all over the internet for the whole world to read...well...I had a special revelation. These hill climbs are like my life (and all of our lives) When difficult times are upon us, we don't want to climb that hill. We do everything to avoid having to do it. Sometimes we get in our car and drive away. Sometimes we don't leave our house and say "Who cares..I am skipping horrible hill day" But we eventually have to be at the base of the hill looking up and HAVE to climb the hill. I realized that it is o.k. to stop and catch your breath. It is o.k. if you need someone to put their hand on your back and push you to the top of the hill. Usually you get a break at the top and while you are walking back down to the bottom. Your legs might be wobbly from the terrible trial you just went through, but the Lord allows us some time to walk back down before we have to start the climb again. I realized that everytime I go through a"terrible hill climb" or trial in my life I get a little stronger. I don't always need my personal trainer to push me through my workouts. I can go a little farther without stopping to catch my breath and I ALWAYS make it to the top. Each trial I go through...and I have been through some good ones...I am stronger. I become a better person, I exercise my spiritual and emotional muscles, I have the opportunity to face whatever is in front of me and keep putting one foot in front of the other! I am grateful for my personal trainer, Jesus Christ who is ALWAYS on the horrible hills with his hand on my back and a soft voice telling me I can make it! He is the source of my strength. Always has been...always will be! He is the reason I can face the hill and keep going. Because of HIM I keep going. I am eternally grateful for Him and his constant guiding hand on my back to help me through the "terrible hill climbs of life" and the lessons I have learned through those climbs!
