Day 50...

I just got back from the gym, and I'm covered in ice bags, but feeling good! :) hahaha! They're more precautionary than anything.

Because I have an off day on the calendar tomorrow, I had peace to try out the treadmill for an easy run today. The leg felt good this morning, and I took some extra time to do a few warm-up exercises to loosen the muscle. I won't say it was a perfect run, but it certainly didn't hurt. I could tell it was tight, but that's about it. And being on the treadmill, I was able to keep myself from going too fast. I ended out at 6.3 at 51:08.

Before I dive into what I want to share for the day, I have to say thank you to everyone. Man, over the last two days I have been more encouraged by this team than I deserve. I praise God for every one of you who has said a kind word or who has prayed for me. You have NO idea how much you mean to me--all of you! I wish I could repay you. Instead, I will return the favor and lift you up in prayer. I'll let God repay you. He's a way better gift-giver anyway. :)

Question: Would you still love God if ______? As I was climbing the stairs back to my apartment, I was thanking God for allowing me to run this morning. "Man, Lord, thank You so much for putting me back on the treadmill." But then I stopped. What if He hadn't? What if He permanently took running away? Would I still be so thankful?

Through this, it is interesting to examine just how conditional my love for God really is. Thankfully, I'm pretty sure I'd still love Him if I couldn't run. But, quite candidly, it wouldn't be as easy. If He took it away, I'd really have a hard time with it.

It made me stop and think just how glad I am that God doesn't love me if __________. He doesn't only love me if I pray. "Man, Jill, thank you so much for praying today. I'm able to love you now." "Man, Jill, thank you so much for reading your Bible. I don't know how I would have looked you in the eye if you hadn't." "Jill, I'm so thankful that you went to church. Now we can be friends." Even as I think about it now, I'm so grateful and relieved that God isn't like that. He's not like us humans with our petty and selfish conditions. No, He loves us whether we ignore Him or spend every minute in prayer. And, as one of those selfish humans, that is so hard for me to understand, but so amazing for me to realize.

Yes, I do like to think that I'd love God if He took away my beloved passion: running. But I'm also thankful that God is bigger, wiser and more perfect than I can and ever will be. Thank You, Lord, for Your unconditional love. Help me to love You with greater faith and trust today. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Prayer requesets:
-For continued healing and protection on my right adductor, right plantar fascia, and left knee.
-For the recouperation of the off day.
-For the 20 miler on Sunday and the weather.
-For Military Ministry and that God would meet all of their needs so that they can meet the needs of our brave troops.
-For our troops! For God's love to be showered on them. For God to heal their wounds and strengthen their families.

Ciao, my wonderful friends!
-Jill