Stretch Break

Post #12 of Sarah’s Post-It Note Inspirations Blog Series

Scenario 1…

It’s a sunny Saturday morning, perfect morning for a run. I take my time eating breakfast and drinking coffee, and then lace up my running shoes and head out the door. I am enjoying the sun against my skin, the feeling in my legs as they push me forward, and the quickening of my breathe creating a steady rhythm.

After mile one, I feel tired and weak. My legs feel like heavy rocks. My breathe is becoming less and less relaxed, and my goal of completing a six mile run seems less and less attainable. After completing mile two, I realize that I need to take a stretch break if I still want to be able to run four more miles. I find a tree or a pole or a curb and stretch my muscles. I let my breathe slow down. Although my legs feel weak, I don’t sit down, I don’t give up. After a few minutes, I am back running. I have to run slower and take one more stretch break, but I make it through the rest of the run.

On these sort of days, a stretch break is necessary just to keep going. Even after a break, we may still fall short of completing our goals. Although on these days we may feel broken and disappointed, we should not doubt what God can do with our disappointment. During these times, we must lean on His promises; that His thoughts are higher than our thoughts; that He will be near to the brokenhearted and heal us of our pain and sufferings.

Scenario 2…

It’s a sunny Saturday morning, perfect morning for a run. I take my time eating breakfast and drinking coffee, and then lace up my running shoes and head out the door. I am enjoying the sun against my skin, the feeling in my legs as they push me forward, and the quickening of my breathe creating a steady rhythm.

After mile one, I feel strong and energized. My legs feel like feathers. My breathe is forming a perfect rhythm, and my goal of completing a six mile run seems very attainable. After completing mile two, I still feel great and decide to take a different turn so that I can run a little longer today. It’s not until I finish my run that I stop to stretch. I let my breathe slow down, and feel the sense of accomplishment inside of me.

Even on these days, even when you don’t feel tired, it is still important to take a stretch break. Although on these days we feel strong and accomplished, it’s important to give the recognition and glory to the One who has blessed us with our ability to achieve. We need to remember that everything good that we do comes from Him, and that we couldn’t do it without Him.

Below is a prayer that we said at my grandma and grandpa’s church when we attended with them earlier this month. My family and I found it very powerful and it goes with this post, so I thought I would share:

Gracious God, we come before you this day, admitting that we aren’t as smart as we think we are. We pray without listening for guidance. We act without considering the consequences. We judge as if we know who is worthy and who is not. Forgive us for our insufferable pride. Help us to be truly humble, that we may listen and follow where you lead. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

To conclude…

Some days may start the same with the same hopes, desires and expectations, but may end drastically differently. Because of the stumbling blocks that life may put in our way, many times we are left tired and in need of a stretch break to get us back on our feet. Other days, the stumbling blocks are fewer and we feel blessed instead of stressed. On these days when we don’t feel tired, it is still important to take a stretch break, and to humble ourselves before the Almighty.

I hope you enjoyed this One Strength post. I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions! What came to mind reading this post? How do you take “stretch breaks” throughout the day? Feel free to comment or contact me directly to share! – Sarah