Confessions of the Good-Intentioned

I’ve been a little discouraged lately, with my training and with myself. I set out a couple of months ago on this journey and was so excited about taking on the challenge. Now it seems harder and harder to get motivated for long runs or to focus on writing. I was embarrassed when I looked at the date of my last post. I guess you could say I have gone the way of the good-intentioned, setting out to do something cool, but getting discouraged and on the verge of giving up.

But then a friend sent me back to one of my previous posts about why I am doing this, and I needed to read it. I needed to be reminded of why I care, why I chose to undertake this journey, and why I believe in the value of Samaritan’s Purse.

I didn’t start this journey because I love running or wanted to run a half-marathon.

I started this journey because one of my students had a dream about wanting to do something special for God, wanting to use her passion for running to make a difference. I think God is incredibly honored in the desires of her heart, and I so want to invest in her and feel blessed to support her in that journey.

I started this journey because this time last year God was working in my life to prepare me for Nicaragua. That trip for me was the beginning of a new level of compassion, of a desire to care more and to cultivate a heart of compassion for those around the world. It was a short trip with great needs. I started this journey because I believe organizations like Samaritan’s Purse are part of the answer, the long-term solutions and the ongoing work of sharing God’s love and meeting physical needs.

One of the great lessons I learned from the trip this summer is how easy it is for me to be at the center of my world and how much I want it to be less about me and more about Him. And the same is true with this project. I wanted to do something great. I wanted to do stuff… instead of letting God do stuff. These last few weeks as I have been burned out and slacking off, I have begun to see His hand at work again, less of me and more of Him.

I have seen Him in Carolyn as she conquered 11 miles, in Brett sharing his story and putting his natural ability to good use, in Amy as she ran 8 miles in the sand, and in Lizbet’s willingness to hold me accountable in Carolyn’s absence. The amazing story is how God brought this team together – Carolyn’s dream, Brett’s desire to build a hospital, and my desire to write and encourage; we are all using our different gifts and abilities to work toward a common goal.

I still have doubts about 13.1 miles. I am way behind schedule, and I honestly don’t know if I can do it. But I don’t have doubts about this project. I am grateful to be a part of it and I am not giving up on it. I care, and I want to inspire you to care about Samaritan’s Purse, to care about those who are less fortunate, to care about investing your time, talents, and treasure (whatever those are) to help others.

Here’s the link to our fundraising site - http://www.firstgiving.com/columbiacollege-teamsp. We haven’t raised much money; we haven’t even really gotten started with it, but I hope you will help us get started, that you will invest in this journey and our cause with us.