"I Think I Can, I Think I Can!"

In the 8th grade, one of my teachers told my parents that I reminded him of the Little Engine that Could. I had made the team to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and as we were climbing to the peak on the last day my group fell behind. The tour guide told us that we would have to go back to the cabin. My heart dropped, I knew I could make it to the top. One of the other tour guides came up to my friend Saleem and I and told us that he knew we could make it to the top and that he would take us. He saw the, I think I can, I think I can, mentality in us. I made it to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro that day. But that was only the beginning of my Little Engine that Could, story. 

In 2010, I was introduced to running. Actually, my running friends called my running, The Rochelle Shuffle. Sometimes my run was slower than a walk, but I made sure I never stopped. I would shuffle along until I finished the amount of miles I had committed to. I shuffled my way through my first half marathon in October 2010. It was one of the hardest things I had ever done! There were times when I wanted to stop, but that little voice in my head, I think I can, I think I can kept going. 

I would love to tell you that as you get faster that the I think I can voice goes away, but it doesn't. As you get stronger, your goals get more and more challenging. I showed up to the Buffalo Stampede Half Marathon race with one thing on my mind, 'getting under 2 hours.' There were so many times when I told myself that I would be happy with just a PR during that race, but I knew that I needed more than a PR, I needed to see a 1 as the first number in my finishing time. 

As I chant I think I can, I think I can in my head during a race, God chants to me, I know you can, I know you can. With hard work, consistency, and faith, my shuffle slowly started to become a run. As I look at my running pics from 2014, I still freak out! I did it, I am REALLY  running! Lol! 

The reason why I get so excited about all this is because I didn't always think any of this was possible. I filled myself with excuses that only thin girls could be runners. I told myself that 10 minute miles were the limit for girls like me. God showed me other wise. He showed me that I could be a runner if I wanted to be. He also showed me that girls like me, can run half marathons under a 9 minute mile pace too. He showed me that ALL things are POSSIBLE through Him. 

I am sharing my story with you today because if you're a runner, I know you have the I think I can mentality. I also know that if you are someone who dreams to run under a 2 hour half marathon that it's possible. My story is proof that a 2:31:14 is only  the beginning, not the end. All it takes is faith, patience, consistency, and hard work!

How's Your Prayer Life?

Have you ever been stumped with prayer? Have you ever wondered if prayer really works? Have you ever felt like you don't know how to pray? Well, if you have, you aren't the only one. Yep, that's right, I have questioned prayer in my life too. Questioning prayer doesn't make you a bad Christian, it just means that you don't know all the answers.

Over the past couple months God has been working on me in the area of prayer. Believe me, it was an area that needed to be worked on. Although I've always been a firm believer in prayer, I have been somewhat of a lazy prayer. I have had seasons of GREAT prayer and also seasons of not-so-good prayer. But it's been in those GREAT prayer seasons, I've learned how important prayer is.

Today as I was reading Lysa TerKeurst blog, I was enlightened by this quote:

"Thinking about, talking about and worrying about something is not the same as praying about it."

What a beautiful truth this is. After reading her blog, I began to reflect on my own life. So often, I have questioned prayer because I did a lot more thinking, talking, and worrying about things, instead of actually praying. 

When I do pray (like pray pray), it's amazing how God takes all anxiety out of me. All of a sudden, there is a sense of peace in the middle of the storm. God also speaks to me in prayer. And no, I don't mean in an audible voice, but He speaks to my heart. All of a sudden, His Wisdom falls upon me and I can just feel His presence. It's in these prayers,I learn God's plan and not my own. 

So what is the right way to pray you may ask? Well, honestly, through my Christian walk, God has taught me that there isn't just one way to pray. We often times forget that prayer is just conversation with God. You can send up quick five second prayers as well as ten minute private prayers. God hears all of our prayers. Sometimes when you're on the go you don't have time to go into a private place and pray for 10 minutes, but you do have time to say, "Lord, I need you in this situation." Just know that God doesn't only hear long prayers, He hears the short ones too. It's all about where your heart is during those prayers.

I encourage you to reflect on your prayer life. If it's not up to par, today is the day you can get it there. While you're driving, talk to God, or at night instead of watching TV take time to pray for awhile as well. Pray before a meal, pray during your workout session. Challenge yourself until it becomes a habit. 

In the comments section I would love to hear how prayer has impacted your life. It's a beautiful thing and there's nothing like sharing the power of prayer. God bless you all!