I will give thanks to You, O Lord, my God, with all my heart, and will glorify Your name forever.
Psalm 86:12

This verse captures my heart often during my journey of life. I began running just after truly surrendering my life to Christ just before turning 21. I also ran my first 10K race not realizing how much running would become a part of my life, and more importantly my spiritual journey. I can honestly say the Lord has used running from the very beginning to reveal Himself to me. He has taught me perseverance and discipline. I have learned my strength comes from deep within where He resides. He has enabled me to do the unthinkable as a way of life. I raced through four pregnancies producing four extremely healthy babies. After having my pelvis crushed from the weight of a horse, I came out of a wheel chair to do the Virginia Challenge Triathlon the following year. I have experienced agonies of defeat and the sweet taste of victory along the way. Either way, I have experienced the goodness of God up close and personal. Running would be an empty endeavor without sharing each step with my God.

"Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in Thee." ( Augustine, Confessions, Book 1)

My heart overflowed yesterday morning after finishing 20th out of 147 runners doing Grayson Highland Half Marathon with a time of 2:20:20. At my age and recovering from running last race with a broken rib two weeks ago, I found a spot to give thanks with all my heart knowing the glory goes to the goodness of my God always and forever!

Teresa Roberts

Masterpiece Fitness

276-237-6680

So filled with an overwhelming sense of God’s goodness in my life and being surrounded by the beauty He created I danced all over this wonderful stone wall in all kinds of poses, but ending on my knees humbly expressing my love and gratitude with all my heart.