Thursday, June 30, 2016

Protect: Five Minute Friday

Every Week, a one-word prompt, some thought given, and then a timer set. Five minutes later, you stop. That's Five Minute Friday. Some of the best writing on the internet in only five minutes. Poetry, passionate thoughts, hearts that welcome new friends. I love being a part of this community! You can check out the link at Kate's page.

This week's prompt?

Protect.

Tonight, for the third week in a row, I ran short distances at the top of my ability on the track with some middle school students. Last week, I experienced some pain in my left thigh (quad) on my first of four laps, so I had to try to protect myself.

I stretched, took a "power shot" of Gatorade at home. (3 scoops, one part water instead of 3 parts)
I ate bananas and strawberries together. (Vitamin C can help your body absorb potassium)

I wanted to protect my body from a deeper injury. I wanted to be able to show up again and run again this week. I didn't want to be siderailed.

If I, an out-of-shape mathematics teacher, can put this much care and effort into my leg, then how does that relate to my spiritual life??

Am I also an out-of-shape Christian? Do I need to start hanging out with younger Christians who are exercising their faith and re-train? Or, do I energize and inspire other Christians around me to keep exercising their faith?

We protect ourselves by being prepared. By knowing what to do.
One of my passions with my daughters is to protect their innocence. I hope wholeheartedly that they will have innuendo flying far above their heads for many years to come, just like their dear old mother. I want them to feel safe asking me any question about anything, but not give them more than they need.

I'm re-reading Corrie Ten Boom this summer and something I love about her story with her father, is that he always put things in a way she could understand. She asked him "what is sexsin?" He asked her to go pick up his suitcase (full of tools-essentially his toolbox). "Why father, it's too heavy." "Some knowledge is too heavy for you to carry, so I will carry it for you until you are ready."

*end of time*

Sorry I can't give you more, but those were my thoughts tonight.
And, as promised, here's a video of me doing a bridge/backbend. This was how my daughters and I entertained ourselves this afternoon.



~ Tammy
P.S. Without your linkup number or URL, I can't find your post! :)


14 comments:

  1. Your approach to running is sound. Way better than mine..."pain is merely weakness being expelled from the body".

    And what you are doing to protect innocence is the right thing. I could get on a soapbox here, and rail against the idiots in school admin and the morons (and worse) in the Dept of Education, but I think you get my drift.

    Carry on, Tammy. Carry those bags.

    #1 at FMF this week.

    http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2016/06/your-dying-spouse-175-protecting-who.html

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    1. Andrew, thank you.
      And I am strongly adverse to pain, ha ha! Pain is an indicator of something needing to be fixed, and I'm a fixer.
      There are small pains and large, sharp, "alert" pains. The quad pain was one of those. The burning lungs and sore ribs from breathing really hard? Those are endurance "I need to keep at it" pains.
      :) And yes, I am determined to carry those bags for them as long as I can.
      -Tammy

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  2. Ahhh, friend. It's so good to read your words again. I loved your analogy about being an out-of-shape Christian. Like you, I long to be close to God, and one who encourages/challenges others to grow closer to Him.

    I LOVE that you are being intentional about protecting your daughters' innocence. It's. So. Hard. Even for my boys, we are trying to do this. the world keeps trying to seep in under our boundaries and lure them to open doors they're not ready for.

    Keep running, my friend. Physically and spiritually!

    PS—I'm at number 3 this week. :)

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    1. Jeanne,
      welcome back! You have been missed. :)
      I look forward to reading your gems about protect. I agree. They aren't ready for those doors. The world doesn't know what harm it has caused to so many young minds (but the prince of the world knows full well).
      And, I do feel that you challenge and encourage me to grow.
      Love,
      Tammy

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  3. I'm impressed by the video- looks like you're in good shape! I like the link you make with living as a Christian, that we have to be intentional about staying fit.
    I love your desire to protect your daughters' innocence and the Corrie Ten Boom story is great. I read that a few years ago but I'll need to read it again too. (I'm at#40.)

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    1. Carly,
      oh how looks can deceive. ;) I haven't done one of those in years, but it did help stretch my neck and shoulders and get rid of my tension headache (along with ibuprofen and sudafed). It's much harder if you start on the floor and try to push up into the bridge.
      So glad you like Corrie Ten Boom too. She has been popping up all over my social media lately and then my father-in-law loaned me a three-book compilation of hers.
      Once I get through my 500-level online class, I can devote more time to reading it.
      Coming over to read your post!
      love,
      Tammy

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  4. Protect your innocent. Protect your body. Protect your soul! xo

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  5. Love this! I've missed you friend. I'm over in the 54 spot this week.

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    1. Tara,
      I have missed you too. It's actually rare for me to make it in the top ten. I've been in the 40s, 50s and 60s the last few weeks!
      Can't wait to see your post.
      Love,
      Tammy

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  6. Oh, I like that quote! I'm going to have to share it with a friend of mine who's been having some difficult conversations with her daughter.

    I also like your questions about spiritual life. I have sensed God moving me to stretch myself a little. To set some things aside in order to spend more time in His word. I admit to being resistant because I'm comfortable. But His way is always best!

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    1. Marie,
      thank you so much. I'm so encouraged to be journeying together with you! :) (and even more excited that the quote spurred you to read more of the story)
      Love,
      Tammy

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  7. Impressive stuff with the bridge pose! Love that you do it with your daughters as well - what a great way to bond :) (Wayyyy down the list at #62 this week!!)

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    1. Emma,
      ha ha, it hurt my belly button! I practiced a lot of times with them before that video was filmed. Walking down the door is much easier, though.
      Looking forward to your next crazy video. ;)
      Love,
      Tammy

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