Pray Hard, Work Hard, and Be Kind to Yourself.

“I pray hard, work hard, and leave the rest to God.” 

 ~ Florence Griffith Joyner

 

“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.

~ Matthew 7:13-14

 

     Just like with our bodies, change takes time.  We alter our behavior, we eat a little less, increase our activity a bit at a time.  Following God can be whole hog, never look back. For some that works, and for others, it is like a familiar scent that you keep encountering and you look for the source.  Little by little, the path changes, the focus on the sounds around one changes.  We go from hearing the clink of a coin on the pavement, to hearing a whisper in a cricket’s song. 

     Once God has our attention, and we want more, we must exert more effort, and once we do, as with a new regimen, we are feeling better, following more nearly, hearing more clearly, loving Him more dearly.

   Inch by inch, step by step, Day by day.

    Because of Him,

     Linda

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqEHaQ1RbME

Day by Day

Going the Distance

I pray hard, work hard, and leave the rest to God.

     Florence Griffith Joyner, 1959-1998

     American Olympic Gold Medalist

 

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.

     Psalm 136:1, 26

 

Florence Griffith Joyner still holds the record for being the fastest woman alive, unbeaten.for the Olympic 100 and 200 metres events.  She was plagued by accusations of steroid use.  She was extensively tested, coming up cleaner than clean.  After she died at the age of 38 from epileptic seizure in her sleep, she was extensively tested…again…for the same thing.  She was clean. It seems that even when you are the  best, or maybe especially because you are the best, people go to great lengths to prove that you are not.  

Today, I am thankful that God looks upon the heart.  No matter what the outside looks like, no matter what wreaks havoc with our insides, it is the heart that God looks at, and knows so well.  Today, turn your heart toward God afresh.  Give God your best.  He already knows you are a winner.

Because of Him,

Linda