LIGHT WEEK

Not bright, cheery, sunny...

As some know, I have continued training, after my first triathlon, for future races. While I won't race again until Spring '08, it requires this much time to get ready, especially for the BIG, CRAZY goals I set for myself.

However, this week is my light week. Basically, training is 3 steps forward, 2 steps back. The regimen is designed scientifically to allow your body to build both endurance and allow time to rest and rebuild to prevent muscle and tissue damage.

Imagine that! Our bodies can't go at 110 mph non-stop for days, weeks, months, like so many of us believe. So, while I'm still training at about 80% of what I did last week, my body appreciates the slow down and is in rebuild mode.

Have you ever thought that the best thing for you, your mind, spirit, family, business, whatever... was a light week. You know, 2 steps back from the hectic pace you've been keeping. Look at it like you've been going through life at break-neck speed and know it's time for a re-building season. So, take some time to slow down, pray, meditate, ask some "why" questions, take a walk, eat dinner as a family for several nights in a row, do a family devotion, take some time one evening for solitude and personal reflection. Better yet, stop trying to do anything, turn off the TV, and just go to bed early this week.

Don't worry, there's always next week, when we'll be amping back up by 10% increments, then this time next month, it's another LIGHT WEEK. Maybe that's why God established that whole once-a-week Sabbath thing. We need REST!

Did you know...

Quiet time, devotions, prayer time... whatever you want to call it, is not a religious formula.

Your time alone with God should be as unique as your fingertips. You may incorporate the same elements as I do- prayer, meditation, Bible reading, and personal solitude. But that's really where the similarities end.

Much like a romantic relationship, there are elements that everyone of us enjoy in romance. But how we interact with the one we love is very unique. Each couple has a special love language and enjoy very different experiences than others. View time with God the same way!

Maybe you prefer to walk outside in the wood (like I do). You feel most connected with God out in nature.

OR you get excited reading books (any book), and can see God in everything you read.

OR when you are serving or giving, that's the highlight of your experience with God. God speaks to you most when you're giving to others.

OR you feel strengthened and encouraged when you pray and talk about God with someone else. It's not that you can't pray alone, you just feel more deeply connected to God when you're journeying together with someone else.

I could go on. The point, whatever pathways fit your personality best, veer into that sacred pathway more often so that you are connecting with God in your personal and unique way.