Inspiration

Lately I have had a lot of people tell me I have inspired them. I am a former running hater who has officially turned into a runner - It's true...I have a black toenail. Last year I decided that I was going to run a half marathon and at the beginning of this year, I set my mind to it, started a training schedule and just a couple of weeks ago, I crossed that finish line. It was a great feeling. (And I am going to do it again!)

When the first person mentioned I inspired them to start, my first thought was, "What are you talking about?" I NEVER thought that doing this was going to have an affect on others, but I have to say that hearing those things is a greater feeling than crossing the finish line ever was. Because of a choice I made to push myself and try something new, now other people want to. It is a nice reminder to me that I want to live a life that God uses inspires others. Inspiration is such an important part of your life - how else would we challenge ourselves or grow? God calls us to many things that are for our own good, but they are also important for those around us.

I've started thinking of people that inspire me - the role models in my life. I had a few running through my mind: my high school cheerleading coach, Albert Pujols (well, I am still a little bitter about that situation), Audrey Hepburn, the sorority president when I was a freshman, some of the amazing young women I am blessed to have as friends, women who mentor me (even if they don't know they are), Carrie Underwood (I know when God decides to cross our paths we will be best friends) and of course my grandmothers, mom and dad. Because of all of these people (and plenty more that I probably haven't mentioned) something in my life has changed. Many of these people probably have no idea they had such an affect on me, just as I don't often realize the affect I have on others.

I have a new goal now, even though I am going to continue running. It is a personal thing that I want to do for myself, but who knows how God is going to use that for other people.

God - I pray that I will live my life the way that YOU want me to - that You will use my life to reach those around me to have a positive impact on them. Thank you for those you have put in my life to inspire me. Thank you for showing me their faith, the challenges, the lessons they taught me and the neverending encouragement to keep going. I thank you for the best role model and inspiration for us all, your son. I pray that above all others, we will look to him to inspire our lives. And it is in his name we pray - Amen.