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 Riddick

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.

12 Miles

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”

  • Don’t underestimate yourself.

  • You are never alone.

  • You want to change? Do something different. Move out of your comfort zone.

 

Quick Links

 ==> Links for Today’s Show

  1. Want more from Shundria?  Check out her blog at Shundria on Shuffle
  2. Did you miss last week’s podcast How to Run a 5K?
  3. Did you miss Single and Satisfied?
  4. Kingdom Woman by Chrystal Evans Hurst and Tony Evans

 

Prepare to PUSH

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…

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:14

 

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.

 

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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…

Push.

Again… feel free to pray about anything that concerns you.

But if the topic of “push” resonates with you, pray in that direction.

 

If you are new to our prayer on Fridays or need a little refresher here are the details…

 

1) Post YOUR prayer.
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”.

2) Pray for someone else.
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!

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!
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” )

4) Pray more
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

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!