Now that Greta is almost a year old, it is time for me to start thinking about getting this body of mine back into shape. Five years ago it was Operation: Get in Shape Girl. This time around it is Operation: The Final Countdown.
I don't know that I'll get quite as dedicated as I did after George. I don't foresee a marathon in my near or far future, but I do hope to begin more vigorous exercise that includes some running.
Okay, what I would call running others might call jogging or even trotting. Semantics.
My last pair of good running shoes were purchased before I was pregnant with Peter. He's almost three, so I clearly needed a new pair of good shoes. I am a believer in high quality running shoes. Things start hurting when shoes wear out.
But it is summer and there are always additional expenses in summer-- camps and family trips and car repairs, etc. Money gets a little tighter. But I really can't start exercising without proper footwear. I researched how much the shoes I like would be at the store. Blah. How much would an older model on Amazon be? Blah. I'd been keeping an eye out for a few weeks during my regular thrift store visits.
In the scriptures we learn we should ask our Father in Heaven for the things we stand in need of. Well, I figured I needed running shoes. I was sure exercising was a good thing for me to do. So on Thursday night I prayed for size 10 Mizuno Wave Runner shoes. I wasn't specific on the color, although I'd seen some online that I really liked. I said, "I know someone in the world has these shoes and doesn't need them anymore. If you could just direct me where to find these shoes, I would be very grateful."
The next day--- THE VERY NEXT DAY---I went to Savers, my thrift store of choice, to look for some short sleeve shirts for the summer. I went over to look at the shoes. Like I said, I had already been looking, without success for several weeks and I hadn't see anything of remote interest. I didn't think buying used running shoes was necessarily a good idea anyway. Not in a snobby, "...ooh, gross, I wouldn't wear used shoes kind of way", but because worn out running shoes won't do you much good.
Amazingly I found two pairs of size 10 Saucony running shoes. They weren't the most amazing things I'd ever put on my feet, but they did fit and they were in like-new condition. Wow! They weren't my blessed Mizuno shoes that I love, but they would work, I'd avoid injury, and they would definitely work until such time I could get my hands on the ones I really wanted.
"Thank you, Heavenly Father, for answering my prayer."
I was about the leave the shoes aisle when I looked down on the bottom row and saw some black and torquoise shoes with a logo that was near and dear to my heart... ... ... could it be?
Size 10 Mizuno Wave Rider shoes for $7.99.
They cannot have been worn more than a handful of times. The exact size, model, even color I would have bought.
The tread on the soles is almost pristine.
I took them for a test walk/run/jog/trot the very next morning and they were like heaven-- clouds on my feet!
A couple months back I came across this scripture that really struck me. I've thought a lot about this scripture since I read it.
3 Nephi 18:20 "And Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you."
To me, this meant go ahead and ask for the things you think are good and right. Believe (have faith) that if, indeed, it is the right thing for you at the time, he will bless you with the things you ask for. The confusing part is that what seems right to us, may or may not be what He knows is best for us at that time. But our job is to ASK and believe! If we don't get what we think we need, we can be calm and have faith that it isn't in God's plan at the time.
I am a believer in the power of prayer, but I can't say that I've ever noticed so quick and exact an answer to my prayer. I know my finding these shoes isn't a big deal to anyone but me. I don't think it was a big deal to the person who donated them to Savers. But it was a big deal to me. I am so grateful for this miracle in my life right now.
The nice young lady checking me out casually scanned the price tag and put them in a bag. I couldn't help myself--- I wanted to shout my miracle to the world. In my evangelical excitement I told her, "I prayed for those shoes last night and here they are!"
She seemed to be a member of the LDS church as well and she responded, "Well, if Heavenly Father went to all that work to get you those shoes, you better make sure you use them!"
Now, that is motivation!
I don't know that I'll get quite as dedicated as I did after George. I don't foresee a marathon in my near or far future, but I do hope to begin more vigorous exercise that includes some running.
Okay, what I would call running others might call jogging or even trotting. Semantics.
My last pair of good running shoes were purchased before I was pregnant with Peter. He's almost three, so I clearly needed a new pair of good shoes. I am a believer in high quality running shoes. Things start hurting when shoes wear out.
But it is summer and there are always additional expenses in summer-- camps and family trips and car repairs, etc. Money gets a little tighter. But I really can't start exercising without proper footwear. I researched how much the shoes I like would be at the store. Blah. How much would an older model on Amazon be? Blah. I'd been keeping an eye out for a few weeks during my regular thrift store visits.
In the scriptures we learn we should ask our Father in Heaven for the things we stand in need of. Well, I figured I needed running shoes. I was sure exercising was a good thing for me to do. So on Thursday night I prayed for size 10 Mizuno Wave Runner shoes. I wasn't specific on the color, although I'd seen some online that I really liked. I said, "I know someone in the world has these shoes and doesn't need them anymore. If you could just direct me where to find these shoes, I would be very grateful."
The next day--- THE VERY NEXT DAY---I went to Savers, my thrift store of choice, to look for some short sleeve shirts for the summer. I went over to look at the shoes. Like I said, I had already been looking, without success for several weeks and I hadn't see anything of remote interest. I didn't think buying used running shoes was necessarily a good idea anyway. Not in a snobby, "...ooh, gross, I wouldn't wear used shoes kind of way", but because worn out running shoes won't do you much good.
Amazingly I found two pairs of size 10 Saucony running shoes. They weren't the most amazing things I'd ever put on my feet, but they did fit and they were in like-new condition. Wow! They weren't my blessed Mizuno shoes that I love, but they would work, I'd avoid injury, and they would definitely work until such time I could get my hands on the ones I really wanted.
"Thank you, Heavenly Father, for answering my prayer."
I was about the leave the shoes aisle when I looked down on the bottom row and saw some black and torquoise shoes with a logo that was near and dear to my heart... ... ... could it be?
They cannot have been worn more than a handful of times. The exact size, model, even color I would have bought.
I took them for a test walk/run/jog/trot the very next morning and they were like heaven-- clouds on my feet!
A couple months back I came across this scripture that really struck me. I've thought a lot about this scripture since I read it.
3 Nephi 18:20 "And Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you."
To me, this meant go ahead and ask for the things you think are good and right. Believe (have faith) that if, indeed, it is the right thing for you at the time, he will bless you with the things you ask for. The confusing part is that what seems right to us, may or may not be what He knows is best for us at that time. But our job is to ASK and believe! If we don't get what we think we need, we can be calm and have faith that it isn't in God's plan at the time.
I am a believer in the power of prayer, but I can't say that I've ever noticed so quick and exact an answer to my prayer. I know my finding these shoes isn't a big deal to anyone but me. I don't think it was a big deal to the person who donated them to Savers. But it was a big deal to me. I am so grateful for this miracle in my life right now.
The nice young lady checking me out casually scanned the price tag and put them in a bag. I couldn't help myself--- I wanted to shout my miracle to the world. In my evangelical excitement I told her, "I prayed for those shoes last night and here they are!"
She seemed to be a member of the LDS church as well and she responded, "Well, if Heavenly Father went to all that work to get you those shoes, you better make sure you use them!"
Now, that is motivation!
1 comment:
Awesome story! Thanks for sharing!! Enjoy your shoes :)
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