Happy Birthday to Me...

My birthday present to myself this year was training for a triathlon which was supposed to be today. Instead we had lots and lots of rain, thunder, lightning and wind. No tornadoes...which is a good thing.

I am disappointed. But I have LOVED getting ready for this race. I am in better shape then I have been for a decade. I feel so good. I discovered that I ADORE riding my road bike, narrow, country roads and all. Luke and Noah learned that everyone has to do things in life that they don't like to do. For them that was going to our Y's kid room while I swam. I learned that my running will actually improve, not suffer, from spending time biking and swimming. I remembered how fun it is to tackle something that inspires and challenges me, and that it is ok to be scared in the process of learning new things. I figured out that if you act brave and strong, more bravery and strength come to you.

I have a new theme for myself from the New Testament...Fear not, only believe. I repeated it over and over last week trying to learn to swim in freezing cold lake water. I repeated it when I was working on getting over my fear of clipping my shoes into the pedals on my bike. I find myself now repeating it often in life when my fears run headlong into my faith.

I didn't know this triathlon journey would end up ultimately being a spiritual one, but I shouldn't be surprised. All  good things in life really are. Instead of competing today I went on a solitary, wet and windy run. It was beautiful and amazing. (Did you know the hymn How Great Thou Art was written by a man walking home from church through a thunder storm? ) I felt great. The entire time I counted 40 years of blessings and help from the Lord. It was a perfect way to celebrate. Here is to many  more years of joy in the journey.