Good Morning Girls!  I left off yesterday telling you all that I had been listening to some secular music as I ran, and that after Saturday night's service I was fully convicted to ditch it.  I hadn't been using it that much......but let's face it, there is no such thing as "that much" when it comes to doing what we are told to do.
So I headed out to the park Sunday morning for a run.  I left the music behind.  Instead I decided to "run with Jesus".  I wanted Him by my side.  I wanted to be near to Him.  So, I followed Pastor Jim's advice.  I decided to spend my time praying by giving thanks for everything I could think of.  It was a great plan......
And off I went........running and giving thanks.  I tried really hard to picture Jesus running with me.  I just couldn't get past the sandals and robe.   At first I felt silly. I found myself saying things like "Jesus..... those sandals are going to give you shin splints.....and you have to be careful not to trip on your robe".  Then I would picture him in a Nike running outfit and running shoes.....that made me laugh worse.  It almost seemed sacrilegious.  Okay, this is clearly not working for me.  Let's just focus on the prayer......
I started giving thanks for everything.  Well, I thought I was giving thanks for everything.  But then I noticed something.  I started saying things like "Thank you Jesus for the financial breakthrough you have in store for us".  Hey!  That's cheating!  Is it?  I don't know?!  I had an internal debate about whether or not it was "cheating" to give thanks in that manner.  I mean I am thankful that He is the only one who will be blessing us with restored finances.  But something seemed off.  Time to check the heart motive.  You see, my "prayer of thanksgiving", when speaking about what is yet to come, felt like a "reminder prayer".  It was like "Lord, thank you for all of this, this and this, but don't forget.....I still need this and this.  I don't want you to forget about the things I am still in need of just because I am sounding so thankful for all the things I have!"  Okay, I know it sounds silly.  Just remember- I don't have to let you in to my secret mental fortress.....I do because I think I am not the only one who plays these silly reindeer games!
So I decided that though it was not a "wrong" prayer, for the next two days I was in fact only going to give thanks for things that I currently have or for things that have come to fruition.  I admit it was a challenge at first.  However, somewhere along the run I quit praying and simply had this overall feeling of thankfulness in my heart.  I felt so light and blessed.  I ran an extra mile or two just for fun (sick, I know).I was never really able to "picture Jesus" like Pastor Jim talked about.  He did say it would take practice though.  I did however feel the presence of the Holy Spirit as He brought so many things to my heart and my mind.  I believe it will soon be time to start the annual series "lessons I learned on the Run (season 2...long run edition)".
Even though my two days of  "The Thanksgiving Prayer Challenge" are done, I am going to continue.  I need the extra practice.  I know yesterday as I spent 8 hours going through and pricing baby girl clothes for the garage sale, I was anything but thankful.....probably why it stunk so bad!  In fact, I had more of a pity party than a praise party!  So, I will continue to give thanks only.....no requests.....unless they are for someone else.  I trust that He knows what I need and He will do just fine without my constant reminders!  I can trust Him at his Word!

Matthew 6:33  NLT and Jen G Translation...Seek the Kingdom of God above all else (by giving thanks in prayer), and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need (without your constant reminders of what those things are).

Love you all-
Jen