"O Father, light up the small duties of this day's life: May they shine with the beauty of Your countenance. May we believe that glory can dwell in the most common task of every day."

Blessed Augustine of Hippo


Wednesday, November 5, 2008

endurance





Recently, I started working out, again, from a very long sabbatical. Many contributing factors to my long-vacation from the land of heart pumping sweat-ness which I owe to my children, husband, myself and the fact that my body is a ridiculous blob of laziness.

Why tell you this? I am weak, unmotivated, and discouraged easily in need of motivation, encouragement, and dare I say, praise.

Much like my role as wife, mom, teaching the children, being a good friend, etc...I am weak in all the stated areas and need all sorts of affirmation. Needy, geesh!

My expectations of were we SHOULD be in the schooling department is, well...a slow go. My begrudging motivation to attend an extra Vespers during the week is all wrong since all I can think about is "what others may think" if I do not attend. Now that we are here, I feel stretched, even more so, to preserve the friendships back home while developing new ones. Forgive me, my dear friends.

I lose site of true meaning around me. While, admittedly, slipping away into the land of wasteful thinking on tomorrow and not living in today. Dreamily, wishing for quick results, with the workouts, friendships, the children's progress, marital bliss, and my daily spiritual life.

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-5

May we all endure, for Jesus Christ, our Lord and King, to race not sprint until we fully enter the age to come while laying aside all earthly cares.
"Let us who mystically represent the Cherubim and who sing the thrice-holy hymn to the life-creating Trinity, now lay aside all earthly cares, that we may receive the King of All,who comes invisibly unborne by the angelic host! Allelluia, allelluia, alleluia"

5 comments:

Molly Sabourin said...

I am very proud of you for working out today and for opening yourself up to receive love and prayers from those of us you encourage so often. I believe in you wholeheartedly and in the physical and emotional benefits of a little weight lifting and cardio. Stick with it, friend! Keep us updated on your progress!

Kelleylynn said...

Thanks Molly for your encouragement and friendship. Someday we shall meet face to face :) God's will...

h west said...

Amen. I've really been struggling lately with thinking about the future and not focusing on what's in front of my face.

Mimi said...

It is so hard to get that motivation I agree, prayers with you, Shamassy.

And, Molly rocks.

h west said...

My accent was 'the West'- in other words, dullsville.