"All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, "If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness!" Numbers 14:2 NIV
On October 12, Beth James, 54, and her daughter Liza, 23, who became nonverbal and unable to walk after suffering a devastating brain injury during a car accident at age 6, became the first mother-daughter special team duo to compete in the Ironman World Championships. And while they were able to complete the 2.4 mile swim (Beth pulled Liza in a float strapped to her) and the 112-mile bike ride (Beth pulled Liza behind her in a 21-pound racing chair), they missed the cutoff to complete the 26.2 mile run. But that won't stop Beth, who refuses to spend time thinking about "if only" this hadn't happened, from doing more Ironmans with Liza. She will press on saying, “Life is a gift. Each and every moment of each and every day is priceless. Don’t ever take it for granted. Do not ever complain. There’s always positives surrounding you.”
And you know, Beth is right. Life is a gift and something you and I should never take for granted. And while we can't control many of the things that happen to us in this life, we can control the way we react to them. Can you imagine how differently Beth's life would have turned out had she chosen to lament over her daughter's accident and spend her time complaining and saying, "If only this hadn't happened?" She would never have experienced the life God had for her. But by focusing on the positives, Beth allowed the Lord to use her in ways she probably never could have imagined.
So in remembering how the grumbling of the Israelites caused them to lose out on entering the promised land, let us choose to trust that God has a perfect plan for us and for our lives. And then let us refuse to give voice to, "if only" but choose to say, "Lord, I don't understand my situation but I don't have to. I will trust in You."
Heavenly Father, thank You for being a God we can trust. Over and over again, You have promised to work all things for the good of those who believe in You. Engrave that promise on our hearts Lord so that we will trust You in any and every situation. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
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