"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perserverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12.1-3

in the fall, we were two miserable students sitting in anthropology class attempting to occupy the lecture time with anything but what the professor wanted to say so, we began reading a blog. it's the story of libby ryder and her battle against cancer. since september, God has used libby's story to awaken in us a realization of the story he has written for our own lives. libby has shown us what it means to set our eyes on Jesus and run, with reckless abandonment, into the arms of the Father. libby's friend angie has decided to run a half marathon in celebration of the end of libby's chemo and, lord willing, her cancer. following libby's example, we are joining in the celebration. we. are. not. runners. we are scared. we are full of doubts. but, we are inspired. the past year has been full of triumphs and tribulations for us, too. this is a physical representation of us throwing off everything that has hindered and entangled- pain, heartache, doubt, shame- and running to Jesus and basking in his grace. this run is for libby. this run if for freedom. our only hope is that He will be glorified.

"Let us hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have broken rejoice!" Psalm 51.8

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

we are really doing this.

the first thing that shocked me about libby was her ability to pour her heart out onto her blog with a rare and raw honesty that brought me to tears. she didn't hide her pain. she didn't always turn her anger, fear, or frustration into something that sparkled. because of this, i have learned to be honest with Jesus. to cry out for him to meet me in my pain, my depths, and bring healing and restoration. libby is a beautiful portrait of a woman who's heart belongs to Jesus.

hannah and i met last year but our friendship blossomed this past fall. the Lord has blessed me not only with a partner in prayer and ministry, but a best friend who i, too, can pour my heart out to, ugly and raw, and she will listen. she's not scared of pain because she's been there. she's not scared to cry or feel or be silent. (han, i admire that about you).
"When my hear was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73.21-26
hannah introduced me to libby's blog in anthropology class and after class i went home and read all the way from the beginning. at times there were tears. at times i was praying that i have a husband as fabulous as her's one day. and most of the time i was smiling because i knew that the Lord was moving. since then, libby has become a friend. (note: hannah and i have not met libby before. however, we do sport the ever-so-sassy green "team libby" bracelets). there are others, too. a bunch of us girls read libby here in Raleigh. there may be others that run with us in nashville. or just train with us. or just laugh at us and take pictures. the body of Christ is moving and growing because of libby's blog.

hannah and i share the fact that we have never really had a huge goal and achieved it. i think that's why i am fearful. because it's a huge undertaking. i will experience physical pain. i am going to want to be lazy. i am going to want to make excuses. but i will look to the cross. we will remember, together, why we are doing this.

today we ran 2 miles. in the grand scheme of things two miles isn't that crazy. for us, it was a big deal. and tomorrow, after babysitting and homework and all the to-dos, we will run again. to freedom.

post run, thanks katie :)

i still can't believe were doing this. but i love it.
Julia
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