Friday, January 2, 2015

Encouragement from a small voice.

I want my family to be as involved in my training as I possibly can get them. December 1 was the kick off to my training. That weekend we went for a family jog and bike ride. It was good to have them all out there, because I know there will come times that they can't be there because of the distance I need to train, weather, or other obligations. 





I normally run on Monday and Friday's with my youngest child, she is three.  She is my biggest cheerleader, coach, motivator.. I wish everyone had someone like my youngest child in  their corner, or stroller, or burley. When we run, if I stop to tie my shoe she starts yelling, "Run mommy run." If I start walking with a friend she will say, "Faster mommy faster!" When we are done running she always says, "Good job mommy, Good job!" I can't tell you how motivating this is for me. My youngest daughter is being pushed in the stroller while I am jogging for up to two hours and she is enjoying herself and encouraging me along the way.





When we go for a bike ride, I normally have both kids, the 3 year old and her 5 year old sister. Let me tell you, they are crammed into the Burley but they never complain. We talk while I ride. I occasionally will get a "Go faster mom!" But always when we get home the youngest will say, "Thank you mommy!" Like I just gave her a present or something. Maybe that present is my time....even though I am pulling them in the burley we are still talking, they are sometimes sleeping or watching a movie on the Ipad, but we are together.
I don't want to lose time with my family because of training. I hope I gain time with my family because of training.

 

It is amazing how such small words coming from such a young child have an impact on my outlook and training. If those small words have such a big impact on me how can my words impact those around me? The Bible tells us "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." Hebrews 3:13 If my daughters words encourage me, when my self talk is not all that positive, and lifts me up. How much more can my words encourage those around me. This is the lesson I am learning from my daughter. Encourage. Speak kind words. Enjoy the moments together.