The last few months I have challenged myself, pushed myself, attempted to see what I can do. I have come to an amazing reality with myself that I can do a lot of amazing things, that I am stronger than I once thought I was. I recently backpacked for four days the backside of the Tetons, then I challenged myself to beat my goals at a race I did last year, then shortly after that race I did the dirty dash which is a 10K obstacle course through mud.
Through each of these things and other daily challenges I have realized that not only can I do hard things but that is when my weaknesses show the most as well. I was not the fastest hiker, nor the fastest runner, and there were a couple of obstacles that I physically could not do. And have you ever noticed that, that is what we tend to beat ourselves up over the most... our weaknesses!!!! Why is that? Why can't we look at the picture on a whole and be proud of what we DID accomplish? It didn't matter how fast or slow I went across the backside of the Tetons and what matters is that I did it and that I witnessed some of the most beautiful scenery and had experiences that are indescribable the way they impacted me and moments I will cherish forever. It didn't matter how slow I ran or that I couldn't do some of the obstacles in the other race. What mattered is that I ran and that I beat my goal. What mattered is that I finished the obstacle course and that I did the best I could.
I think that is point I miss most of the time that I did the best I could. Seriously, who could ask for a better acknowledgment then being able to say to themselves I did the best I could. This is the part that has really hit home with me as I reflect back on these events and a repeating assurance in my daily life and routine. I may be that employee that quietly is always working away at tasks and never acknowledged, or I may always be that friend who seemed to be so "cool" until someone cooler walks into their lives and I'm quickly forgotten, I may be the one who will always have the grudge held against them for having to handle a hard situation in a way they didn't plan to handle it but due to actions of others had to handle the situation in that way. I may be the person who will always be overlooked for one thing or another. I may be viewed as hard hearted for protecting myself from walking down another path of pain. But whatever the situation may be I know as long as I can look back and say in each situatin that I did the best I could then ultimately that is all that really matters.
One day this life will end and yes our weaknesses will be discussed because we are not perfect but they will not be the main focus. God will not be caught up in the fact that your hard work went unnoticed, nor will he be caught up in the fact that you were not the cool friend that everyone couldn't live without, nor will he be caught up in the fact that you couldn't do a lot of things. Rather he will be caught up in the way you handled them and how you faced each situation, event, and challenge.
So with thanks to recent physical events and hard emotional challenges I am grateful I am being reminded of the simple fact to look at each situation and remember I did the best I could, cause thats the feeling worth remembering and cherishing :)
