Lessons from a 3 year old

5 Months ago I posted a picture to my Instagram while I was out for a run.  Anyone who knows me would say, "so what?"  I post lots of pictures to Instagram.  This picture was a little different.

I captioned it "Sometimes you have to run through the storm."  I didn't know that 10 minutes after I took this picture, my world would collapse.  It wasn't just a storm, but a flood.  There were times it left me on the floor, crying, in pain, and feeling extremely lost.  I stopped running.  All my physical strength was gone.  My emotional strength wasn't so great either.  But, my spiritual strength was getting a kick in the pants and the jump start it needed.

This summer was the hardest summer of my life, but for the first time I learned how to go through those hard times leaning on God.  I didn't have the strength to rely on myself.

I'm pretty sure God could care less how many physical miles I can run (and let's face it, he really isn't going to be impressed with MY mileage).  Running used to be a way of escape.  A time to turn off.  God wanted me to turn on.  Run to him.   Slowly, my strength returned.  Mentally. Emotionally. Physically.  I've started running again, but it has a much better purpose than it had in the past.

A season of my life is over.  The past couple weeks have been really hard.  I've moved.  Signed papers I never thought I'd have to sign.  But God is still faithful and so very present.  The flood waters are starting to recede.

A friend introduced me to a song early on in the summer and it kind of became my go to when I just needed a moment.





Now, you are probably starting to wonder where the 3 year old comes in at this point.  This week there has been a great debate in the house.  3 year old asked the question, "Would you rather be able to fly or walk on water?"  Naturally, all the adults in the house chose being able to fly.  The 3 year old could not be swayed to change his decision of being able to walk on water.  He didn't necessarily have a reason for why he chose walking on water, he just knew that was his choice and he was sticking to it.

I've started running again.  I almost skipped my run tonight because I had a really off day and my heart was feeling really heavy for some people I really love.  Normally I take my iPod which has a pre-planned running playlist on it. Tonight I took my iPhone and let it play at will.  Oceans came on and during the bridge I couldn't help but laugh.

Hey 3 year old, is it too late to change my answer?