Partners Help You Grow:

I have talked a lot about running during my time writing this blog.  I do still love running and getting to participate in races and the feeling of the runner’s high which can come from a good run.  However, I have been struggling with running lately.  I still love it, but I have been feeling a bit heavy and been a bit slower than I have been in the last few years.  I think this is for many reasons such as a sinus infection I had earlier in the year, to starting new medication, and from just a busy and at times stressful schedule from moving and planning a wedding.  This has been a bit discouraging for me, but I have also been good about still finding time to run and continuing to try to improve. 

Because of this, I have also been really extra excited to run with my mom.  My mom is a very good runner, and she has been very helpful in running with me and encouraging me to run faster. This really showed last weekend when I ran a 10k at the Bridge of Storm Lake with her.   I was able to run the race in under an hour which I would not have been able to do without the help of my mom. This is a good reminder to me that sometimes it is very important to have a partner.  In exercise, it can be really important to have a partner or have someone who can push us forward.  We can push ourselves harder and faster to eventually reach the potential we really want to reach.  

This is also important in other areas in life.  We can have this at our workplace.  I have been really blessed these past two years to work at the Job Foundation where I have been able to grow in lesson planning, working with families as well as working with people who have different perspectives and backgrounds.  I have even got to work with students who I usually wouldn’t have had the chance to beforehand.  I hardly ever, besides in church, got the opportunity to work with elementary students.  Now I get to quite a bit throughout the year. 

I have already seen myself grow in relationships through my relationship with Cole.  I am getting better at communicating and better at compromising, better at thinking of other people, specifically Cole, and better at listening.  This is something really important for not only a long-lasting marriage and relationship, but also to be better at relationships with those I am seeing at church, or those I am working with, or with my family and friends.  Growing in relationships is important, for all areas and walks in life.  

Lastly, we can grow in our relationship with God.  I have discussed this a lot, but this is because it is so very important.  We can only best grow in our relationship with God through other believers and discussing our faith with them.  This is because our God has designed us this way.  He designed us to be relationship based people or to be in communication with others.  God designed Adam and then Eve, so he had a partner.  He did this because he also had good relationships with the other members of the Trinity, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  

These other believers can even help you in other ways.  This can be helpful to help fight any sins, any financial struggles, or any other issues one has been struggling with.  A mentor or partner in the faith can really help you through everything and through any struggles.  This is why it can be so very beneficial to have a mentor be a good guide for you and your christian life.  

One group of verses that discusses fellowship and growing with each other is Philippians 2:1-2 which says, “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”I love this because it is a reminder that as we grow to know Christ, we become more and more united with the Body of Christ and Christ himself.  

The challenge for this week is to spend some time at church this next week to get to know different people.  This is important, so you have the chance to meet possible different mentors and different Christians from all different walks in life to help you in your present walk in life.  This is to give you the chance to get to know people and have the chance to talk to people from all walks in life.  Then the second challenge is to ask advice from someone.  This could be someone you have already met or someone you meet in the first part of this challenge.  Wherever you feel you need help and assistance in your life.  You never know this could really help you in your journey.