Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not his benefits—who forgives all your sins, and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your strength is renewed like the eagle’s ( Psalm 103:5).

Once upon a time I ran a marathon.

Well, I kinda ran-walked-stumbled-crawled a marathon.

Anyway, as I ran I had Isaiah 40:36 going through my head: Those who hope in the Lord shall renew their strength.  They shall mount up on wings like eagles.  They shall run and not grow weary.  They shall walk and not faint.

It was one of those verses that rang hollow in the moment, as I dry heaved by the side of the road and watched a 90+ year-old woman race-walk past me.  And yet, in the big picture, it was true.  I finished the race.  I knew strength that was obviously beyond my own.  I didn’t die, though I kinda felt like I had.

Sometimes he gives you the strength to fly.  Sometime it’s just the strength to take another step.  Or crawl another…crawlie step.  But make no mistake, Beloved—that strength comes from the One who loves you, and it is enough.

Maybe just barely, but enough.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved.