Monday, July 28, 2008

The Tired Sacrifice . . .

Cross Country season is upon us and Dakota has started practicing. He had two CC camps this summer, only one was he required to go to because he ran last year, but he opted to go to both. One was in June and the other just finished up last week.

For those of you who don't "run" (all pun intended :0) around in the CC world, let me educate you a little. The kid's don't have games they train for, they have meets. Dakota's first meet is the first weekend in September, and they must have 14 practices in before they can participate in their first meet.

The practices are grueling and are ment to be that way. They "meet" (again the pun - such wittiness for way to early to be posting in the morning :0) at 6:30 AM (Yep he is a teenager and that does say AM) for practice and they are done at about 7:30 (just in time to shower and get to school). His first official practice is August 11th, but at the end of camp last week coach told Dakota to be running 30-45 minutes 4-5 days a week until then. Now a lot of teens might have blown this advice off, but not Dakota. He set his alarm for 6:30 AM this morning and got right up (Yep you read that right ~~ if you have teens you know the feat this is). Now granted he was tired and wanted to go back to bed, but let's face it, mom's are cheerleaders. Even if we never got to be one in real life because we had laryngitis at the audition (no I'm not bitter :-). He was looking to me this morning for encouragement although he really wanted to be encouraged to go back to bed. The funny thing is I really didn't even say anything, I just looked at him as he was talking and that's all it took; just a moment of eye-to-eye, you are my boy and I love you period no matter what, and the next thing he said is "I'll run." He went in, got in his run gear on and off he went.

Now for those of you who are unfamiliar with the particular's of CC, it is a 5K race, yep and a 5K is 3.2 miles. Yep no sissy's here. They RUN 3.2 miles without stopping!!!!! And practices are anywhere from 4-5 miles and beyond or sometimes they do tenths which is sprinting 1/10 of a mile for the whole mile and during camp they did tenths for 3 miles. Can you imagine 3 miles of tenth sprinting?!? Seriously, I need a Sonic Cherry Limeade about now, anyone else with me? And something that really blows me away is these kids are running these 5K's fast. Medal contenders run it in 18 mins or less ~~ that is cooking for long distance!!!!! And Dakota's on the hunt for a medal this year!!!!!!!!!! You go my boy ~~~ You TOTALLY ROCK!!!

So you see this got me to thinking. Hebrews 12:1 says, "Therefore, since we are surronded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." I need to be throwing off some things and running with perseverance this race marked out in front of me, even if I'm tired, even if I hurt. I need to be running strong and yes some days my sacrifice will be of the tired nature, but it is the heart in which I sacrifice it that matters. If I'm tired but willingly sacrificing my time and effort, God honors that.

Dakota just called me from the track and yep, he is tired, but I put my best cheerleader voice forward and told him he would feel so good for getting out there today, the first day of solo practice for the next two weeks, and I told him I was sooooooooo proud of him. And guess what? That was the boost he needed. He got his almost 45 minutes in and now he gets to shower and start his day energized from a few minutes of tired, but willing sacrifice. Moments like today will serve him well in his life, this I know.

So how about you? What can you lay down today to pick up more of God? For my son it was his sleep time ~~ whew that's a tough one!! But God honors that!! What is it for you? Go on lay down that thing and let God pick you up. He will child, He will!!!!

5 comments:

  1. I probably should lay down the amount of time I spend blog lurking and tv watching. I don't think either are bad just an abundance of both can be distracting from the "race". Thanks for the post. I really need to set a computer time and stick to it.
    Blessings,
    Linda

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  2. I STRUGGLE, STRUGGLE, STRUGGLE with getting out of bed early in the morning. I once heard someone say that is better to be sleep deprived than God deprived. I try to keep that in my mind, but I could definitely do better!

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  3. I ran religiously (pun intended because I talked to God and prayed the whole time) for many years, and since my head has gotten worse I haven't been able to.
    But I need to scarifice my selfishness (time on the computer, etc.) to spend more time with Him. I don't want it to be something I check off the list for the day....I want it to be my EVERYTHING!
    Love you girlie and loved this post! Dakota is so precious!

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  4. My son also ran CC so I am familiar with the grueling training that they go through. Sounds like you are a great cheerleader and I know that it means a lot to Dakota for you to be there cheering him on and encouraging him.

    Thank you for the analogy to our Christian race. There are some selfish things that I need to lay down and I appreciate you challenging me to do it.

    Have a great week!
    Emilie

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  5. oh this was wonderful Dawn. how i have missed talking to you and reading your words of wisdom!!! missed you friend but so grateful for your prayers over me!!! love you

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