I Didn’t See it Coming….

When I was in elementary school, I was a Girl Scout. Yep. Troop 189 to be exact in St. Petersburg, FL. I know you fellow Girl Scouts want to throw three fingers up and join me in saying, “On my honor, I will try to serve God, my country, to help people at all times and to live by the Girl Scout law.”

My troop volunteered to hand out water to runners in a local race. Our job was simple enough: stand on the side lines and hold out a paper cup of water for the runners to grab. So, there I was, looking so cute in my girl scout uniform, holding that cup of water with an outstretched arm. The runners started passing by and one made eye contact and said, “throw it” and I did, cup and all, hitting him right in the side of his head. What should have been cool refreshment made hard impact! I can still see the look of bewilderment on his face as he looked back at me.

Boy, life can definitely do that to us, can’t it? We are running our race, staying in our own lane, anticipating the upcoming refreshment station and instead, we are hit right in the side of the head with the wrong diagnosis, the bad news, the rejection, the death, the rumor, the judgment. And we are left in bewilderment, looking back and thinking, “I truly didn’t see that coming.” And it really may feel like we are alone for that next leg of the race, running with little refreshment or support. We wearily wipe ourselves off, focus our eyes on the road ahead and begin placing one foot in front of the other.

But, here is the good news! God did see it coming! In fact, He was already running the race. He was setting the pace, waiting for you to focus your eyes forward, on Him, allowing Him to guide your steps!

When you are hit with hard times, you can find that much needed refreshment in Him! He will get you through the next leg of the race. And before you know it, you will feel His very breath moving in your lungs and His tender words written on your heart, encouraging you to keep running. Not only is He running ahead of you and cheering right beside you. He is watching for you at the finish line, with arms wide open, waiting to welcome you home.

So, the next time life throws you that curve ball and hits you smack dab in the side of the head, I say, “look up” and just keep running! He’s got this! And He’s got you!

Choose joy!

Therefore, since we are surrounded 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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1‭-‬3 NIV