Touched by an Angel.

A couple of Saturdays ago, I was out riding my bike for a 30 mile training session with a group from Richardson Bike Mart. About halfway into the ride, my leg started cramping and I fell behind the peloton. I could see everyone ahead of me and I knew I needed to stay with the group so that (a) I wouldn’t get lost and (b) I wouldn’t get stuck riding the rest of the route by myself (aka very LOST). Out of nowhere, as I pushed forward toward the upcoming hill, a thin cyclist in black uniform appeared on my left and placed his hand on my back. Never once stopping to look at me or mumor a word, he effortlessly pushed me up the hill all the way back to the peloton. As soon as his hand touched my back, I heard a voice deep in my heart say, “Stop trying so hard. I have you where I need you and I will carry you. I got you. Be still and know that I am with you.” It was a peace like no other and I knew in that very moment, without a doubt, he was an angel. As I cycled back to the group, he let go, and road ahead. I looked down to grab my water bottle and back up again and he was gone.

 

I believe God sent me that mesaage not to tell me to stop trying so hard on the ride (although we were riding ~19mph so you have to try hard!), but to stop trying so hard to figure out everything in life. What an amazing feeling to hear the voice of God and feel his overwhelming peace. Thank you cycling angel - I will never forget you :)

 

-- Be still and know that I am God. --

 

 

Living in Trust.

Trusting God in all things requires that we give up control to make things happen for ourselves. I don't know about you, but I tend to strive for change and constantly question myself on my path in life. "Am I making a difference? Is this the right career path? How can I help more people on a daily basis? When am I going to meet someone? Should I extend my lease? Is this where I want to live? Maybe I should get a dog?..". The list goes on and on :)

Lately, I've been reflecting on life and just trying to figure it out but in doing so I've realized that God's plan for us is not to figure out our "path" so to speak, but to trust Him to lead us to it. We don't have to strive to find the answers, we need to live by trusting God. Have you ever noticed when you want something really bad and you try so hard to make it happen, only to find it wasn't what you thought it would be? Or you strive to go down a path you believe is best for you, but you constantly feel like you're pushing and pushing but nothing is happening? You can try to make things happen for yourself or you can believe God to make it happen for you.  Let His will be done, not yours. It's a peaceful experience when you finally let go of what you think if best for you and trust God to take care of you. It's not easy to give up control, but you'll feel better when you do. I know I did :)

Do you want to live wondering when/why/how things are going to happen or do you want to walk in peace knowing God will carry you through?
 
The choice is yours.

First World Problems.

In the summer time I LOVE to eat peaches. In fact, I love eating peaches year round. It's my favorite fruit. :) So last week I decided to buy a couple peaches from Whole Foods. I was so excited for them to ripen. One day during my lunch break, I went into the break room to grab my peach. As I went to take a bite, I immediately realized I had bit into a peach that was a little mushy and lacked flavor.  Seeing my facial expression, a coworker asked what the problem was. I told how much I loved peaches but was dismayed to have picked a bad one. "Ah, first world problems" he said. And it was with that comment that I realized how many people in third world countries would LOVE to have any peach. So I decided to eat that mushy peach and be thankful for the privilege to even be able to purchase it. As the week went on, I decided to make a conscious effort to see my circumstances from a third world view. Through this, I realized there is a lot to be thankful for. Sometimes you just need to step back to see how blessed you really are.