Author: Christine Goodsell Page 4 of 15

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8

It was March of 2023, and I attempted walking and slow jogging again. We had recently purchased a treadmill, and I was recovering from both a foot injury and car accident injury. I was almost 7 months postpartum after baby #3 and my body was feeling really worn down. Seeing 1 mile on the treadmill with a time of 20:04 was an accomplishment. It was definitely a perspective shift from over a decade ago in college. That 20-23 minute range was my typical time for a 5K—a 3.1 mile race that I competed in all throughout college cross country. Now, years later, it was close to my time for a single mile. I remembered how tough I was on myself as an athlete—a 7-8 min mile for 3.1 mile was “just ok” back then. 

If you’ve read my blogs that date back to early college, (or if you’re really a long-time friend, read my final composition for the Burke Beat newspaper staff as an athlete) you’ll know that ever since I was a young girl, God has used running, training, and competing as a way to teach me many important life lessons. Running clears my mind and heart and seems to open an additional pathway of communication between the Lord and me. That day in March, God gently reminded me that even 1 mile was good. That it was beneficial for my body, and it was really a blessing that I could do that after the last couple of months. I was thankful. 

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I was 9 years old on my way home from school. It was one of those fun, but tiring days in 4^th grade. The sun was shining. I had done well on my math test, and recess was super fun that day. The fitness test would be happening soon in PE, and I was so excited.

However, not everything had gone well in fourth grade that day. It was Bible class. It was usually my favorite, but lately, while I was finding myself completely engaged in the Bible lesson and learning how to think deeply, something in my heart was stirring that didn’t feel good. 

I had the sweetest fourth grade teacher. She could calm a noisy classroom of students with a whisper. She was gentle, and she smiled often. She was patient, and it didn’t matter how long it took you to answer a question after raising your hand. She waited. The best part? She loved loved LOVED Jesus. Like this lady would smile the most often when she would speak of him. She made Bible class come alive. I just loved it. 

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About six years ago, I found the tiny porcelain tea set that I had been given as a child. It brought back so many wonderful memories. My sister and I would dress up, have our stuffed animals play along, and if we were lucky, our little brothers would join. We usually had water in the tiny cups, but once in awhile, Mom would make us tea and let us have cream and sugar. Those times were so special! As an adult, I still liked tea, but any hot drink was a good way to relax and just take time to be still.

When I pulled the tea set out of the old box, I found myself wishing I had a real tea set. Oddly though, I felt the strong urge to hold off—to not buy one right now. It seemed strange, but I decided to wait. I wrapped up each cup, saucer, and the tiny pot, and put them back into the box.

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“What’s the weather like?” Isn’t this a common question we think, ask, or hear on a very regular basis? The weather seems to guide many things throughout our day—what outfit to wear, whether or not a coat is needed, and what activities will happen.

At preschool, one of our class jobs is the Weather Checker. During circle time, whoever is privileged with this task typically jumps up, dashes to the window, and within seconds, says one of the following: sunny, cloudy, rainy, or snowy. The class then gets out their suns, clouds, raindrops, or snowflakes, and we begin to sing the weather song. 

Very often, a debate arises while checking the weather. Is it sunny or is it cloudy? Many days, the weather checker can see both the sun and the clouds. Which is it? Some declare it a cloudy day while squinting into the sunshine. Some declare it a sunny day while smiling at the dark, ominous clouds. While it can be a rather humorous debate at times, I’ve seen that the answer always lies in the child’s perspective and what’s in his or her heart that morning.  

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There once was a little brunette girl who was sitting at the kitchen table with her grandmother. On the table sat a Lisa Frank, purple and pink diary with a silver key. There was a new shiny pen, part of a seventh year birthday present, that rested next to the book. Neither the diary nor the pen had been touched, but that was about to change. 

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