Day One - setting an intention

Hannah, 
Today marks 2 months until the half marathon on Whidbey Island that I signed up for to run in your honor and just 2 months and 5 days until your 13th birthday. I figured this was a good day to officially begin training.  

Over the last few years, I’ve felt nudges from the Spirit to use my training as prayer time for specific people and circumstances. And I’m pretty sure these nudges came because God knew that I could use some help in this area. Listening in prayer is a definite growth edge for me as I’m one of those people with a bunch of plates spinning simultaneously. In short, I don’t slow down very much, and yet, with running, I already have this training space carved out for me. God has been gracious to help me learn to make space for him through these times.  

This quote below is a favorite of mine: 
"My favorite part of my yoga class is when my teacher asks us to ‘set an intention’ at the beginning of class….At the end, she often asks us to check back in with that intention that we set at the beginning of class.  I like that part; it means something to me. I have begun to incorporate this idea into other areas of my life. I try to set an intention before I run, work out, write, meet up with a friend, make a speech, eat a meal, discipline my children, state my opinion, or say yes or no to a request.  The more I set intentions, the more I realize how many opportunities I have to do so in the span of a week, a day, or even an hour.  I realize how often in the past I have not checked in with my intention or even made one to begin with.  How easy it is to waste time, get off track, or miss the moment when I forget where my heart is?"  -Kristin Armstrong Mile Markers

My intention in the next two months is to keep you in mind when I run and to ask God to help me know what I can be praying for you.  Today as I started the day with a short run, I just lifted you up in prayer and lifted up the next 9 weeks as an offering, and this song came to mind: 

For the life that You have given

For the love of Christ made known

With these fruits of time and labor

With these gifts that are your own

Here we offer, Lord, our praises

Heart and mind and strength we bring

Give us grace to love and serve you

Living what we pray and sing. 

I'm looking forward to the next 9 weeks to have you as part of my inspiration and purpose for the coming miles.  You'll be with me in spirit each day, and my prayer is that God will use this in a small way to bring you some encouragement along the way for your special 13th birthday!