Keep Going.

"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:38, ESV

It's been a tiring few weeks. I never function at my best when I'm tired. I mean, no one does, but I feel like I get particularly dramatic.

Last weekend on my run with Squirrel, I pretty much fell apart. I had thought a run would be a great idea to boost my mood and energy - and it usually is - but that Saturday I think I needed a nap more. About halfway through our 7 mile loop, I threw in the towel and had a good cry.

I hate crying, but you know what? I always feel so much better after a good and pathetic blubber session. Sometimes the dam has to break, and then the pressure can be released.

It's hard to run AND have a pity party. I mean, I can do it - I'm a seasoned cryer. But it's not the easiest. So Squirrel and I slowed to a walk and meandered through the quiet neighborhood. Next to the mailbox of a little white house was a pile of painted rocks and a sign saying "please take." I started to pass by, but the writing on them caught my attention. They were all beautiful sayings of encouragement. One in particular spoke to me. The front said, "keep going" and the back, "Jesus loves you."

I carried that stone in one hand for the remaining three miles, the leash in the other.

Maybe that's all we need to know on hard days.

Keep going.

Jesus loves you.

To the people who painted those stones, you may have thought it was nothing. But to me that day, it was everything. Never underestimated small acts of kindness.