When I was training for a half marathon race my main concern was whether or not I would have enough water on my run. I trained with so many different water carrying devices. Some of these devices would be wrapped around my waist and offer different amounts of water. You would think it would be easy to just strap a belt around your waist, fill up the 3-4 containers and just start running! But no. 

The belt around the waist for me was constraining and heavy. Who wants to run 13 miles? Who wants to run 13 miles with baggage? 

Easter, or more accurately Resurrection Day, is my favorite celebration. This was not always the case, as I did not come to know Jesus until I was 18yrs old. However, my first Easter celebration after accepting Christ as my Lord and Savior was so impactful. In December of the year prior to my first Easter I accepted Christ into my life and began reading the bible on a consistent basis. I learned to make the scriptures come alive I had to not only read it, understand its context both literally and figuratively, I also had to insert myself. As I read the text, I would ask myself which character best reflected my heart, actions, and words? Who most resembled me? Then I would focus in on that particular character's narrative. I would focus on the happenings in context of this person. 

How often I spend my time planning. Planning. The calendar marked hour by hour with activities for my family and myself. The forward thinking...what clothes need to be prepared, what materials / equipment is needed, what lesson is going to be shared and how, what time it all starts, how long will it take to get there? I use to dread planning because it was always paired with anxiety. Planning plus anxiety truly equals exhaustion. When I learned what my Father God's good pleasure was, planning became much more joy filled.  

When faced with decisions I often seek the counsel of those I respect, admire, and know me best to help guide me in the decision I shall make. The counsel provided brings new insights, different perspectives, and confirmation of what I was already thinking. The root reason for seeking this counsel is reassurance. Assurance I am making the right decision. Assurance I will not fail, and even if I do, I have a support system to lean back on.

Growing up I was fascinated with illusions. The idea of being able to look at something and see different things or have things appear as though they are even though they are not because of perspective was mind blowing!