Yay, I survived the holidays! I think I can sum up my 2015 with these two words, transition and transformation. As I transitioned into a beautiful new home, I was also transformed by making a big decision for my life. At the beginning of the year when I first arrived to Hawaii, I was blessed to receive a special message on that first Sunday here on the island. As I listened to the sermon at the crosswalk church with no walls at the lagoon, I was challenged. I was challenged to be a Christ follower and really ask myself how I was going to be a disciple of Jesus that year. With that message, I received this image which turned out to be more of a vision or foreshadowing of what would happen to me six months later.
July 12, 2015 was the day I took that 1,048 step hike up Koko head trail and it changed my life in a significant way. Notice the picture below from that day. Look familiar?
It was a hike that culminated in not only a breath taking view of God's work of art on the eastern most tip of the island of Ohau but with it my decision to become clean and sober once and for all. It was a decision I could not make without my creator working in me and who had actually been working in me for many years and many steps prior to that moment. Today, marks my 6 month sobriety birthday. I used to not want to make a big deal about that, all that recovery talk and jargon stuff wasn't for me. This was partly because I didn't want to make it a big deal I think out of fear and shame mostly. I'm learning now it IS a big deal because whenever I admit I am weak and alcohol has power over me, it takes power away from the enemy and gives it to the Lord, almighty. My weakness becomes His glory. His power is made perfect in my weakness and I no longer have to be ashamed. My admission and failures are an open door to God working in me.
The marathon is fast approaching. As I finish each run at a longer distance, it never ceases to amaze me how much my body is capable of. When I go as far as I can, Christ truly takes me the rest of the way. The same has been true in my recovery. A year ago, I never thought I'd be able to completely put down that bottle. I can not do it by will power alone. It takes a daily surrendering to God.
I have one more long run to go before I start tapering. I am grateful for no major injuries so far, only have this constant nagging pain I get from a tight hamstring and adductor muscle on my right side that I attribute to my scoliosis. I won't even tell you how awkward it is to try and stretch out that tender point high up in the crevice of my thigh. It involves some creative maneuvering on my foam roller for sure. Anyway, I press on toward the goal, looking forward to the new challenges ahead in the New Year.
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