There are many seasons in a lifetime. When I penned this journal entry I was in the season of weddings. Four of my five children got married within four years.  It was a very exciting time, but there were some challenges along the way. The dynamic of adding another person to your family can be challenging no matter how wonderful the person is.

From the journal  . . . . July 2002   

I was having doubts about Sara and Rick’s relationship. (Not real names) I was frustrated by my own negative thoughts that I couldn’t get away from.

God, I am rudely distracted in my mind.  How can I escape my perverse nature?  My critical nastiness.  I’m sorry, Lord. Tell me how I can escape.

I recognized my bad attitude and I really hated it.  Self-loathing I would say.  Doing the very thing I hate or at least hating the very thoughts I hate.

Romans 7:15 For I do not understand what I am doing; for I am not practicing what I want to do, but I do the very thing I hate.

And I Believe God Said:

Get up and run.  Remember Ricks’s picture of Eric Liddel showing his determination after falling in a race?  Rick said winning the race isn’t so important.  The falling isn’t important.  You will fall again and again.  But the determination to keep running is key.

Keep confessing!  Keep running!

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us,

I think he was referring to his new relationship, but for me it was the battle of the mind and negative thoughts. 

2 Corinthians 10:5  We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

In any case we were committed to winning the race in the long run!!  After all these years we’re both still committed to the Win!!