Podcast: Play in new window
So excited about having a podcast AND prayer for this weekend!
The first mile is always hard for me.
When I walk out the front door to go on a run, I always have to “push” my way through the first 15 to 20 minutes.
I thought by now that I would be past this stage of having to “push” through something I do often.
Recently, I asked an experienced runner, how long did I have to wait until the first mile wouldn’t feel hard.
This multi-marathon runner told me he always has to “push” through his first mile.
I was shocked.
I had assumed that there was some secret sauce that real runners had that I didn’t. It had never occurred to me that they struggled just like I did and had to push through the hard places.
Many of us look at other people who are doing things that we dream of doing and assume that those other people have some special insight, talent, or ability that we don’t possess. And because we think we aren’t capable, we don’t try.
We don’t push ourselves to be better, to get stronger, or to live more fulfilling lives because we think that our push doesn’t matter.
But it does.
Your push matters.
Every runner has to get through the first mile. The first mile is never fun.
Every runner has moments during their race when they want to quick.
Every runner has moments where they wonder why in the world they have taken on the goal of finishing a race.
Everybody has to PUSH. Even the people who run marathons.
I promised you all that I would fit in that fourth podcast for the month of August one way or another (after my blog got hacked and I skipped a week of putting up a Monday podcast post). I decided to add the podcast to our Friday prayer. I hope that you are encouraged in your walk with Jesus to PUSH through the hard places.
For today’s faith and fun, I chat with my running buddy Shundria about her running journey and we talk about our experience with walking out the front door and putting in the miles.
Shundria is a wife, and mom of three. She is also a licensed professional counselor who chooses to be my friend even though she knows I’m certifiably nuts.
We talk about why we started running, why we keep running, and we also share what running has taught us about faith.
Our conversation is simple a fun, relaxed chat between girlfriends to discuss how we started running, why we keep running, and what running has taught us about ourselves.
Listen and be encouraged.
Highlights from Today’s Episode:
“Prepare to PUSH”
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Don’t underestimate yourself.
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You are never alone.
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You want to change? Do something different. Move out of your comfort zone.
Quick Links
==> Links for Today’s Show
- Want more from Shundria? Check out her blog at Shundria on Shuffle
- Did you miss last week’s podcast How to Run a 5K?
- Did you miss Single and Satisfied?
- Kingdom Woman by Chrystal Evans Hurst and Tony Evans
Join me for today’s chat by clicking “play” at the top of this post or via iTunes or Stitcher.
But then don’t forget that it’s also Friday prayer!
Let’s PRAY!
After you’ve listened to the podcast, share your heart so another person can pray for you!
Where do YOU need to push?
- After listening to today’s podcast, where were you challenged to keep pushing?
- In what areas of your life do you think that it seems to be so much harder for you than for others?
- What are you going to start doing or continue to do based on today’s podcast and/or blog post?
Just like some look at marathoners and think, “I could never do that”, some people look at others living well or being successful and think,
“I can’t do that”
“My situation is too bad.”
“I don’t have what it takes.”
The reality is that every marathoner (walker or runner) starts their marathon journey by taking one step after another – starting with a step out of their front door.
Every runner has to push through that first mile and every other hard places along their journey to the finish line.
Every runner has moments where they want to quit and throw in the towel.
Every runner has to push.
My dear friends…
Life can get hard for any of us.
It may be hard in different ways, at different levels of intensity for different people, and the feeling of “hard” can last for differing lengths of time for each of us individually…
But that doesn’t change the fact that we have to do our part to finish our race and finish it well.
My challenge for you today is to…
PUSH
Maybe you haven’t taken your first steps to work on a goal or a dream you’ve had for some time.
Maybe you started on a journey and have been contemplating giving up.
Maybe you have already given up and have a sense of limbo and lack of purpose, plan, or belonging.
Today’s your day.
I am coming alongside you today to remind you that you can do it.
I’m reminding you that you are not alone and there are others that have been where you are and who are cheering for you to finish and finish well.
Keep pushing…
Keep pressing…
You are not the only one who’s been living – or running – on the path you face everyday.
God has given you everything you need to finish your race and finish it well.
Sometimes we just need to be encouraged to keep going…
Or even to take that first step out of our front door.
Sometimes you just need to hear, “If I can do it, you can do it.”
That’s what Friday prayer is all about.
Help spread the word!
It’s a beautiful thing to see women praying for each other. So here we go… As always, feel free to pray about A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G… But if you are helped by having a topic to focus on for prayer…
Again… feel free to pray about anything that concerns you. But if the topic of “push” resonates with you, pray in that direction. 1) Post YOUR prayer. 2) Pray for someone else. Please don’t feel insecure about your ability to pray for another sister or feel that her request is above your spiritual “pay grade.” Just pray with your heart. God hears. He works with the words that we have and then He takes care of the rest. 3) Post your pic! 4) Pray more If you’re new to podcasts, think of them like little radio shows that you can listen to at your convenience. They are perfect to listen to and learn from as you workout, fold laundry, wash dishes or conquer the world. 1. Listen right here on the blog. Click the little play button at the beginning of this post. 2. Listen on iTunes or Stitcher! – Be sure and subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! 3. Share today’s show – I could use your help with getting the word out there about my new podcast. Would you take a minute to share today’s post? Email the link to a friend or share on social media. Just click on the sharing buttons at the bottom of this post. Thanks! Can I ask you a favor? However you found me, will you be so kind as to leave a rating on iTunes and/or write a 2-3 sentence review there or on Stitcher? Your commentary or rating helps make the podcast more “findable” by others who might not know it exists! Thanks in advance for your help!Push.
If you are new to our prayer on Fridays or need a little refresher here are the details…
First, scroll to the end of the post to find the section for comments. Keep scrolling to the end of the comments to find the empty box where you can leave your prayer request. Click “Post Comment”.
Then, look above you in the comment thread for the person who posted just before of you. Hit “reply” and pray for them. That way we make sure that everyone gets covered!
Make sure we can “see” you! Go to Gravatar.com so that others can see your face in the comments! (It’s easy! Just click on the green button labeled “Get your gravatar today” )
Once you have left your prayer request and prayed for the person above you, if you have a few minutes feel free to reply and pray for any other comment/prayer you see in the thread.How to Listen to The Podcast
Many people look at what I post on social media and think that they then know about my life. But of course there are so many things that I don’t post about. And there are sometimes challenges that are heavy to bear. We are currently facing a health challenge and relationship challenges just to name a couple. God has made clear to me what he has called me to be and to do in my home and to the people that I love. But I would be lying if I didn’t say that sometimes stepping up to the plate as a wife and mother is hard work. It’s more than hard sometimes, it is downright painful.
Lord help me to serve, love, and support my family in a way that pleases you even it if isn’t comfortable or easy for me. Help me to “push” through” this season without quitting, giving up, or throwing up my hands. Help me to “push” through this season and not just crawl or limp through it but to get through it well.
Help me to love others like you love me – fully and unconditionally. Help me to keep the finish line in mind and to keep moving forward no matter what.
In Jesus Name…
Father God, only You know what challenges Chrystal is facing. I ask that you be there for her and continue to make Your plan for her life and ministry clear. Allow her to feel peace as she makes decisions for herself and for her family. Help her to move beyond any obstacles and to PUSH through the tough times knowing that You will never put more on her she can bear. Strengthen her Lord as she seeks to do Your will.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen
I totally did this wrong (Sorry!) 🙂
My prayer request is for renewed faith. It’s hard being in God’s waiting room – waiting for your prayers to be answered. At times it is difficult to remain hopeful and not discouraged. Please pray for a renewal of faith for me. Thanks!!
I have prayed for your renewed faith Rosetta. I’m thankful for the opportunity to learn a lot about waiting in 2012. I was sitting in the waiting room in the hospital and God spoke to my heart as I was writing in a journal saying…this isn’t the waiting I to do while waiting for the Lord. He brought to my mind how waiting in a line for a ride at an amusement park. You know the serpentine line…it feels like you are seeing the same people and not going anywhere, yet there is a progression. You eventually get to the thing…the ride that last under 2 minutes…yet you may have waiting 2 hours to ride. Waiting for God is a progression!
My request is for my job situation. This week was a tough week, but thankfully realized that my focus wasn’t where it needed to be. Thankfully the week ended on a better not since my perspective was in the right place. The craziness is still there, so that’s my request. Thanks for your prayers in advance.
My prayer request is to figure out whether I should be getting out to socialize more. To give a little more context to this request: I’m sandwiched between two siblings who are and have always been much more social than me. So, it’s taken me a while to realize that not everyone is as social and some are more. I may be in a comfort zone that needs to expand to include more socializing. I’m fearful of it and so that’s how I know this is an area in my life that needs attention. Any and all prayers, shared here or in the heart, are much appreciated.
Father God, You are awesome. You are there for us, always. You are here with us now. Thank You for this special privilege to be able to come to You, together. Thank You for my sisters who are here. Thank You for what they have shared from their hearts. It is a joy to be in Your presence. It is an honor to come into Your presence with sisters who are seeking You too. Thank You for Chrystal and Rosetta and DeeJay and any others who may join us. Father, I join them in bring to You the places in our hearts that need strengthening to push even more towards Your will for our lives. You are a God of order. We see evidence of this all around us. And we see it most especially in our hearts, where You have already done things that no one else could do for us. Father, I pray that You would bring order to each situation that is presented here today. You can do anything! There is nothing too hard for You. Father, according to the power that is at work within us, take us further and farther and higher than we could ever imagine in the area of relationships, health and employment. We want to bring You glory. We want to please You. We want to want what You want for us. We want to make a difference in our homes and communities, for Your name’s sake. We especially want our hearts to be a place where You feel at home. Please do this for us. We are thankful for Jesus, who has made it possible for us to be able to address You as Father. You are wonderful! And we love You. It is in Your precious Son’s name that we pray. In Jesus Name, Amen
Ladies, august comes to an end where we in South africa celebrate women’s month. Acknowledge the achievements of women in our country. 20 years into our democracy and this has been my best women’s celebration ever? Why , because God said, dont like at the ahcievements of women in the country, but look to my word, and look into the lives of the women written about in my word. Hence my study on women in the bible has started and I am still stuck at women one, which is Sarah. Alongside that I am party of a online study group,studying the power of God’s names by Dr, Evans. Having said the above, I want to thank Priscilla and Chrystal that God has place on my path , this season of my life. I became aware of Priscilla more then 10years ago through her books which carried me through a very messy divorce, and then Chrystal pops, out of now-where onto my screen 6months ago, and i have never been challenged like now. Long story short, prayer for me in this new season of rediscovering God, His word in such a profound new way. I am so hungry from Him. But life has its challenges, and I thank you for your prayer cover. God bless you sista’s
[…] I want you to listen in on a chat with a good friend of mine, Shundria Riddick. Shundria is a wife, mom of three, licensed counselor and author. You may remember Shundria from a previous podcast where we talked about running and pushing through things in life. […]