Exercise and me, August 20, 2014 Daily Reflection

My Bike

My Bike

Exercise has always been a part of my life. I was no star athlete but I have always enjoyed exercise whether it was a sport, PE class, or just walking with a friend. Long ago, 15 years, after my first baby I became a walker and a few years later after my 3rd baby I became a runner. I have been running for 11 years now. I have always mixed it up with something from Jillian Michaels screaming at me to Billy Banks kicks in Taebo. Now that I am working full time for the first time in 14 years I cannot run 6 days a week. I discovered last week that running before work is running in the dark. As a woman, running alone I don’t think it is a safe option. I am blessed to be able to run a few days a week with my children’s cross country team. On the mornings I cannot run I am riding my bike in my house with a trainer. It’s pretty much an exercise bike. But I am getting a work out.

One of the reasons I have always enjoyed all kinds of exercise is because it makes me feel good about myself. It improves my health, my diet and myself image. I am able to reap the rewards and benefits from exercising my body. Can you imagine all of the benefits we could reap if we exercised our souls? What if praying and reflecting on God became our pick me up in the morning? What if reading the word of God lifted our hearts and made us happy? What if we tried to regularly practice our faith in God?

Many of us do exercise our spirituality daily. I know that personally I feel relieved when I pray and give my worries over to God. After I read some of the Gospel readings I am energized by what God is calling me to do. I feel healthier and more content after I have taken the time to walk with God in my life. There are lots of forms of exercise. We need exercise for our bodies, minds and spirit. But don’t forget it’s not just our bodies that need it; it’s also our relationship with God that needs the work out daily.

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