I'm a soldier in the Maine Army National Guard. I was due to ship out February 28th, pending one thing: Passing the running test. I had to run a mile in 8:30. For most athletes this is nothing. Not so much for me. I didn't start working out until about a year and a half ago, and in that time I've gone from beinga huge tub of lard to a fairly nice looking, more or less in shape person.
But running's always been hard for me. And to make matters worse, I've been slacking off in my training. You needn't point out how wrong I was. I lost plenty of sleep in guilt and fear about it already.
Last night I spent over an hour laying in bed, unable to sleep. Today was the running test and I knew I wasn't ready. I prayed repeatedly, saying things like "I know I was lazy and deserve to lose my job as a soldier. If you want me to, then I accept that fate. But I desperately want to serve you as a Soldier. Please forgive my laziness, and push me to pass the test, so that I can go to boot camp and become a real Soldier for you." I prayed more this morning.
I also prayed the entire time I was running. Puffing out my hot breaths, muttering "Thank you for your strength, God. Thank you for my victory. Thank you."
I hit the finish line at 8:24. It was close, but I made it! I never should have passed this test. A week and a half ago my running time for a mile was 9:32. That's over an entire minute of different in about 12 days. It couldn't have been my strength alone.
Thank God He gave me strength and victory, so that I can serve him as a Soldier. It's my life dream to become strong so I can protect the weak in His name and He gave me the opportunity beyond what I deserve.
But running's always been hard for me. And to make matters worse, I've been slacking off in my training. You needn't point out how wrong I was. I lost plenty of sleep in guilt and fear about it already.
Last night I spent over an hour laying in bed, unable to sleep. Today was the running test and I knew I wasn't ready. I prayed repeatedly, saying things like "I know I was lazy and deserve to lose my job as a soldier. If you want me to, then I accept that fate. But I desperately want to serve you as a Soldier. Please forgive my laziness, and push me to pass the test, so that I can go to boot camp and become a real Soldier for you." I prayed more this morning.
I also prayed the entire time I was running. Puffing out my hot breaths, muttering "Thank you for your strength, God. Thank you for my victory. Thank you."
I hit the finish line at 8:24. It was close, but I made it! I never should have passed this test. A week and a half ago my running time for a mile was 9:32. That's over an entire minute of different in about 12 days. It couldn't have been my strength alone.
Thank God He gave me strength and victory, so that I can serve him as a Soldier. It's my life dream to become strong so I can protect the weak in His name and He gave me the opportunity beyond what I deserve.