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Guest post: Running down memory lane

The following is a guest post written by my new friend Jackie Brindle. She invited me to be a guest on her Be Encouraged! podcast and we realized we have a lot in common. In this article, Jackie takes us on a run with her and helps us discover the gift of memories and God’s glory on the way. If you’ve been around my blog for a minute, you know that this is totally my jam. Enjoy!

By Jackie Brindle

I am going to be honest: I love receiving gifts. I like giving them, but it’s so fun to receive them, right!? Especially the ones that are out of the blue which can be the very thing that makes my day.

Sometimes gifts don’t always have to be wrapped up in a bag or tied with a bow. I got one tonight, and it wasn’t wrapped up at all!

Take a walk with me down memory lane and meet my grandmother Leah Rubin. She always carried mints in her bags. She walked with her shoulders back, dark maroon lipstick on, and had a deep love for sweets! 

She is no longer with us, but there are days I think of her. A memory of her pops up when looking at pictures, eating coffee ice cream, or a bagel and cream cheese. Oh, and anytime I hear the song, “You are My Sunshine” or sing it to my own children.  Grandmom used to sing to us, especially on long car rides. 

Tonight, I got the most beautiful and unexpected gift. It happened to appear on my run, when I glanced up at the most incredible painted clouds dancing across the sky. It literally took my breath away. It was like the gates of heaven were opening up. 

I was frozen. In awe of the sunshine piercing through the clouds. Of course, in true Jackie fashion, I paused to take a picture of it. 

I breathed in the fresh air and let it out slowly.

As I continued on my run, I thought about my grandmom. I let her smile marinate in my mind. This memory was such a gift! It opened up more memories like a river rushing down stream. I was instantly reminded of what she used to call me: my precious. She really knew how to make me feel so special with the warm glow of her smile much like the golden hour sunset. Her gleaming grayish-blue eyes lit up when I walked in the room. The clouds in the evening sky reminded me of her eyes. 

I thought about one time in particular I had with her, when there was a storm at night, and my twin sister and I were sleeping over. We were probably 5 or 6 years old, and I missed my parents. I was upset over the loud storm.

We heard the thunder and dashed to the doorway of her bedroom. I saw her reading the newspaper. Her glasses had slipped down to the edge of  her nose. My grandfather was doing the same beside her. My grandmother glanced above the black and white pages. 

She put down the paper and invited us in with a smile and her arms spread open wide. We rushed over to her and she wrapped us up in her soft arms. My grandfather told us stories and jokes to cheer us up too. 

That feeling is something I will always treasure and carry with me. That simple wink from God was a gift in that moment.  

The memories that flooded back of my grandmom as I was running, really put things in perspective on how God sees me. I think He sees us all as His precious children.

I imagine Him smiling down on us like the rays of sun through a cloud. No matter how we feel when we are living life, rolling through the motions, I believe God is right there for us.

He is giving us that little wink, a memory, a sunset, a gift for us to open if we look up while we are walking or running. 

-Jackie Brindle

I think He examines our hearts, much like my grandmother or that special person you are thinking of, that sees only the best in you.  

If you need some reminding today of how “precious” you are, let these words soak in to encourage and inspire you: 

You are already so incredibly creative, talented, smart, and beautiful inside and out. I know I don’t see all the things that you are doing, behind the scenes, but God does. I get it. Days can sometimes run altogether or there are days I need that little piece of love from up above to shine a light on my path. This encourages me to keep putting one foot in front of the other. 

Take a look outside. Look at the stars. You are among many, yet no one is like you. Let this moment stir up all the goodness of those memories of that person who sees you just as you are, unapologetically you! 

Recently, I started reading the devotional called, Walk Run Soar by Dorina Gilmore Young. Her devotion titled, “He Refreshes my Soul,”  challenged me to take in the world around me. Dorina coached me to go for the run, not for the pace, not to compete with others, or for the sake of a workout. Rather, it was an opportunity to recharge and embrace all my senses. It was about letting go with each strike of the foot and looking around at God’s creation.

That was the very thing, I needed to do that evening. I am so glad I took the run down memory lane! 

Friend, I hope the next time you take a walk or go for a run that you lift your eyes to the sky and God meets you there with a sweet memory. 

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Sometimes you seem far away. Life can be easily filled with distractions that draw me farther away from you. The truth is you never leave my side and you are always there with arms opened wide. Thank you for never leaving my side. I appreciate the way you remind me of the sweetest memories among days that are harder than others.  

Help me to put my trust in you, not that you have set me apart, among all the people in the world, for your glory. Help me to seek you in the day, as it is a gift that I will always treasure. 

In Jesus name, 

Amen 

Jackie Brindle is a wife to Grant, mom of 3, and an elementary school teacher, in Central, Pennsylvania. She lives on coffee and Jesus. Jackie loves running, writing, and speaking. She started a blog called, “Be Inspired and More” and also podcasts at “Be Encouraged!” Connect with her here. 

Check out my conversation with Jackie on the Be Encouraged! podcast. We chat about how to deal with unexpected change and “Finding the Starting Line Again.” Oh, and we also talk about running, writing, mom life and travel! It’s a fun one!

*Do you have a copy of my latest book, Walk Run Soar? If you are a runner or walker, this one is for you. More details about this new devotional book here.

*Photo by NOAA on Unsplash.

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October 23, 2020 Categories: General, Guest Blogger, Running

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Aloha, friend! If you love stories, you are in the right place. I write about grief, glory, running, food, and more. I hope these words inspire you to chase after God’s glory in your life today!

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This summer our Giada is trying something new. She joined the Fresno Flyers Track Club. This means a little more competition for our girl and more ...

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Jul 3

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This summer our Giada is trying something new. She joined the Fresno Flyers Track Club. This means a little more competition for our girl and more travel for our family.
This weekend we watched our girl compete in the West Coast Nationals in Reno, NV. She snagged: 
👉🏾3rd in her heat in the 100 and 200 meters with 11th overall in both
👉🏾2nd place in her heat for 7th overall in the 400 meters, which got her a medal and a 2.75-second personal record! 🥈 
🏃🏾‍♀️If you’ve been around here for a minute, you know @shawnyoungruns and I are running coaches and enthusiasts. Truth be told, we’d be proud of her no matter what place she got. It’s a true joy to see our child run for His glory! 🏃🏾‍♀️I know her daddy is smiling from heaven! 
🥳 Is there something your kids do that brings you joy?! Share in the comments. 
#trackfam #trackandfield #trackgirls #glorychasers #walkrunsoar
103 15

Hey friend, I’m ba-ack! This week we are Walking Through His Word together in Psalm 91. If you are feeling weary or facing some challenges this ...

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Jul 1

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Hey friend, I’m ba-ack! This week we are Walking Through His Word together in Psalm 91. If you are feeling weary or facing some challenges this week, these words were penned for you.
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The psalmist reminds us that God is our:
1️⃣refuge
2️⃣shelter
3️⃣fortress
4️⃣deliverer
5️⃣covering
6️⃣rescuer
Sometimes we feel like we have to do all the things when really we are called to trust God to be all the things for us!
“When he calls me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and honor him.” - Psalm 91:15
👉🏾How does psalm 91 encourage you today?! Share in the comments. 
#biblestudy #psalms #devotional #womenoftheword #bibleverse
26 5

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” - Psalm 90:12
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Todays psalm takes us all the way back to the time ...

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Jun 17

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“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” - Psalm 90:12
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Todays psalm takes us all the way back to the time when the Israelites were about to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. This psalm from the pen of Moses reminds us that life is short. None of us is promised tomorrow.
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Friends, this psalm serves as a pertinent reminder that today is the day to return to God, to rejoice = return to joy, to ask Him to establish the work of our hands (instead of trying to pull it all together by ourselves!)
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👉🏾How does Psalm 91 encourage your heart?
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#devotional #psalm #womenoftheword #bibkestudy #incourage #hopewriters #christianwomenspeaker
19 3

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how we live in fractured times. The pandemic forced us to distance ourselves and isolate. Politics and hot ...

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Jun 15

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I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how we live in fractured times. The pandemic forced us to distance ourselves and isolate. Politics and hot button issues have created a wide divide. Church hurt has caused us to withdraw and question. We’ve lost our value for doing life together.
I believe we are going to have to reimagine community in order to survive this next season. We are going to have to prune and cultivate, to bear each other’s burdens around the table and tend to each other’s wounds in the garden. We need to support each other and root ourselves anew in rich soul.
The word flourish means “to thrive, to grow luxuriantly, to grow in excellence and influence.” I don’t know about you, but I long to flourish in this one life I have to live. And even more I would love to be planted in a garden of people flourishing all around me. God designed us to flourish together!
🌺Is there someone you have been disconnected with for a while that you could reach out to today? Is there a friend or a neighbor you could invite over for tea or a meal? Let’s lean in to bloom where we’re planted in community. 🪴☕️ 
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👉🏾SAVE or SHARE this post if you found it valuable!
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#chaisisters #flourishingtogether #community #communitylife #jesusgirl #hopewriters #bloomwhereyouareplanted #womemoftheword #bettertogether #incourage
81 13

Today we are marching through Psalm 89. This one is dense with reminders that God is awesome, faithful, and brimming with steadfast love for us!
...

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Jun 10

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Today we are marching through Psalm 89. This one is dense with reminders that God is awesome, faithful, and brimming with steadfast love for us!
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I love the call and response and the honest questions that Hubble to the surface in this psalm. The people are struggling. They are wondering when God is going to show up to rescue them.
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This psalm invites us to 3 things:
1️⃣sing
2️⃣question
3️⃣trust
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👉🏾What resonates with you today?
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#prayer #psalms #devotional #womenoffaith #propelwomen #hopewriters #incourage #david
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