Rest. Finally.

I can't believe today was my last day as a D-1 track coach, at least for this season. You would think that I'd want to go out and celebrate but I can't tell you how excited I was to go home (the Dellar's) and take a nap in the middle of the afternoon. Wow, I defiantly should have put this sweet detour in the middle of an active day on my list of "things I've always wanted to do but never had time". How awesome that the Lord gave us the gift of sleep and rest!? He is so sweet to put in our human bodies the physical need to rest. He must have known that for us, this is the only time we might actually stop to allow Him to speak to us, refresh us or just be with Him.

Rest is such a cool concept. I want to share the definitions of rest that I found.
Rest:
* not move; be in a resting position
* take a short break from one's activities in order to relax
* freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility)
* a state of inaction
* a perch or sit a support on which things can be put
* a musical notation indicating a silence of a specified duration

The first 4 definitions are what I expected "rest" to be defined as but the last 2 came as a little bit of a surprise. So rest isn't just a time of sitting, sleeping or relaxing it is also a place to be. In addition, it is actually built into all the music we listen to. The Lord! He gives us rest in action, in place and in music!

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest [yeah, it's totally free]. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me [Jesus rested many times "away from the crowd"], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." -Matthew 11:28-30

If rest for my body feels so great after an amazing nap, how much better is rest for my soul. May we all learn to truly rest in the resting place He has for us. Amen

The Week's Ups and Downs

It's incredible how many emotions you can have within one week. This week began great! On Monday, I got to spend time with friends (#2 on my list of "things I've always wanted to do") and started a blog (#1 on my list). Tuesday I had an opportunity to make dinner for my family, I also listed that I wanted to cook more and spend more time with my family. So why is it that Wednesday I began doubting that the Lord was in control? The next half of the week has been a constant struggle to feel the joy I experienced earlier in the week. Yes, I have been discouraged. However, the Lord is always faithful in bringing us encouragement. Here are a few quotes I've read that have brought that comfort.

"By faith Abraham...obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." -Hebrews 11:8

"Waiting on God brings us to the end of our journey much faster than our feet." -Streams in the Desert

This morning as I was walking with my mom, I confessed that I needed to slow down and wait for the Lord's leading. There are so many directions I want to go, but I have not yet discovered where the Lord wants me to go. As we continued walking, we came upon a new gym called "Fitness Together". We walked in and had a chance to talk to the owner. She just opened the gym, which offers one on one personal training, a couple months ago and is looking for another trainer. As I followed her back to her office to get a card, I noticed a bible and a copy of "Streams in the Desert" on her desk. After talking more, I was encouraged to see God also working in others' lives. She stated, "Without the Lord, this place is not going to make it. I can only do it with Him." Oh, thank you Lord for the small glimpse into your plan to share who you are with others. I'm not sure if this gym is the place I should be, but I am encouraged by the faith of others and the Lord's perfect timing. May I also be able to encourage others with my faith.

Powerful Poem to start the day

Fearing to launch on "full surrender's" tide,
I asked the Lord where would its waters glide
My little boat, "To troubled seas I dread?"
"Unto Myself," He said.

Weeping beside an open grave I stood,
In bitterness of soul I cried to God:
"Where leads this path of sorrow that I tread?"
"Unto Myself," He said.

Striving for souls, I loved the work too well;
Then disappiontments came; I could not tell
The reason, till He said, "I am your all;
Unto Myself I call."

Watching my heroes --those I love the best--
I saw them fail; they could not stand the test,
Even by this the Lord, through tears not few,
Unto Himself me drew.

Unto Himself! No earthly tongue can tell
This bliss I find, since in His heart I dwell;
The things that charmed me once seem all as naught;
Unto Himself I'm brought. -Streams in the Desert

This is the beginning of a new chapter in "Jenny's World". A fun and almost fantasy world where everything seems to have a blessing at every turn. The first blessing in this chapter...resigning from a secure job. It would seem to some that after pursuing a goal and career and obtaining it, one would be content and settled. Interestingly enough in my case, the opposite was true. Yes, after pursuing athletics and coaching for 20 years (beginning at the age of 7 years), I have begun a walk down a new path. It began with me kicking and screaming but eventually God won. It's honestly hard to explain why I took the turn I did. My only reason...because I love the Lord. Don't get be wrong, it's not like a heard a voice and jumped off the cliff in an instant. As Jacob wrestled with the Lord, I have been wrestling for the last couple of years. It was a gradual fight but this summer, I finally surrendered and gave up my goals to follow the Lord. I couldn't fight the Lord any longer. Discontentment began to turn to bitterness, bitterness transformed into a lack of motivation which led to hopelessness, and hopelessness caused me to create a prison for myself where I felt completely trapped. So now, after 15 years as "Jenny the Track Athlete" and 5 years as "Jenny the Track Coach" I am now just being Jenny, enjoying the adventure the Lord has in store for me.