MEMORIES

One of the instructors at the Y was telling us about her training for her next marathon.  I took a trip down memory lane to those long weeks of training leading up to the marathons I ran.  The weeks of pure torture before the big race.



WHY would anyone put themselves through this grueling process?  The fact is you will not run the race well--in fact I would have never completed it--without the training.  Our amazing bodies have---a built in muscle memory and what we train our muscles to do---after a period of time--they will automatically do.



A golf swing is a great example.  The really great golfers have taught their muscles those great drives by practicing them over and over.  Perhaps millions of swings went in to making a really great golfer.



When the day of the marathon arrives---after 20 miles are so---my lower body would become numb---then I relied upon the muscle memory to keep those legs moving.  Without all those weeks of training, I would have not been able to complete the race.  In the heat of the moment, in the middle of the pain, when I thought in desperation, "I can't do this", my muscles kept working---kept me moving toward the finish line.




There is a lesson to be learned from this wonder of the human body--what we expect our muscles to do based upon memory---we can also expect our heart and soul to do with training.  As we pray--read The Word--experience inspired teaching---we are training our spirit.  The memory of all we are learning and experiencing is being stored away in our deepest being.  Then when the day of hardship-pain-turmoil-heartbreak---trouble comes our spirit can be counted upon to automatically respond based upon our training.  Our spiritual memory will take over and keep us moving forward.

So I challenge and encourage us all to train for the day---prepare our hearts and souls--and know we will finish well because we have trained to win the race.


I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus
Philippians 3:14

7 comments

  1. This is wonderful, Lulu. You have given me the perfect excuse as to why I get up and run to the pub whenever the mother-in-law visits. It is muscle memory that does it. It's against my every wish to stay and be insulted by her over and again. It's the muscle memory that makes me get up and run for a drink.

    And it's muscle memory that makes me collapse on the armchair whenever I am asked to take the trash out, or take the dog for a walk, or mow the lawn, or do the million and one things I am asked to do. I would love to do all these things really, and more besides. But muscle memory makes me feel tired as I collapse on the armchair.

    Now ... what else can I blame muscle memory for? Let me think ... no; that's too private to mention here.

    God bless.

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  2. LOL Victor. Can always count on him to make light of things, smiles. My days of running are over with--I ran cross country in high school and my first go around in college. No more.

    Another great post, Lulu. Have a beautiful day, friend.

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    1. OH, but Friend, you are in to hill climbing these days!!
      Blessings, Sweet Friend!

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    2. Welllll.........yes that is true, lololol---and my old bones will be feeling it soon, LOLOL

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  3. You're right about muscle memory. Running wasn't my cup of tea but I used to dance (Jazz, Ballet). Oh, there was no real talent there, but it was fun. Now I'm lucky that I can sit in the chair without falling out of it. What happened?! Lack of training for sure. It's the same with prayer. It is important to 'stay in training' for those emergencies that will happen. Another great analogy.
    Victor's comment was priceless. He really should do stand up comedy, but then again, that would require muscle memory for the legs. *lol*
    Hope your day is blessed. ~:)

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    1. We all love our Victor! He never fails to provide a chuckle!

      Dancing requires co-ordination---so I refrained!

      Blessings, Friend!

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Your comments keep my writing and often cause me to think. A written form of a hug or a pat on the back and an occasional slap into reality---I treasure them all!