Celebrate the good stuff

"The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?" Proverbs 20:24 NLT

"You did a lot of running this year. What did you check off your 2021 bucket list?" That was the question posed by Runner's World magazine in an article posted on the last day of 2021. The writer went on to say.... There’s no way to sugarcoat it. From quarantine and vaccines to race cancellations and postponements, 2021 was a hard year. But through all the hardships, we still managed to get our miles in. Instead of focusing on the negatives, let’s look back on the good stuff that happened this year. Maybe you joined a new running group. Did you find a new pair of running shoes that you just love? Or perhaps you were lucky enough to race a World Marathon Major this fall. Regardless of how big or small the accomplishment, it’s worth celebrating. I couldn't agree more with celebrating both big and small accomplishments. After all, the "good stuff" that happened in 2021 is worth celebrating right? But what about celebrating things that might not be considered "good stuff." Things like the DNF (Did Not Finish) I added to my belt in April while attempting my fourth 100-mile run?  Ironically though, this spring DNF caused me to appreciate crossing the finish line of the Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd in October more than I would have otherwise. I counted both of these events as "good stuff" and celebrated them equally because they reminded me of three things... God is good. God directs my steps. And because God directs my steps, there's no need to "understand everything along the way." 

And you know, when it comes to understanding the things that happen in our lives, Solomon posed the question, "The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?" Even Solomon, known as the wisest man to have ever lived, acknowledged that he, like you and me, didn’t always understand God’s ways. But Solomon conceded that he didn’t have to “understand everything along the way" and neither do we if we, like Solomon, recognize that the Lord guides our steps according to His infinite will and unfathomable wisdom. Which means we can trust His plan and walk in the way He leads without fear, anxiety, doubt, or trepidation. 

So as you look back on 2021 my friend, I hope that you, like me, will see how much better the Lord guided your steps along paths you never would have taken yourself; paths that caused you to grow closer to Him or to bring Him greater glory. And I hope you can smile as you realize that the things you may not have understood along the way turned out to be “good stuff” worth celebrating. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for being a God who can always be trusted. When we don’t understand the paths our lives have taken Lord, help us to trust that You are leading us to something better than what we had planned. Help us to trust You along our journey. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!