Hi! It’s such a privilege to introduce you all to our guest author today as she shares a page of her story! Jenny Blanco is a busy mom of 2 boys, co-founder and leader of a local mom’s ministry, and successful personal trainer. Her passion for others and for fitness is inspirational…and we love what God is doing in her life!
Sometimes God asks us to do things we would never imagine GOD would ask us to do. Sometimes it’s not as complicated as we expect. Sometimes He simply asks us to put one foot in front of the other.
It was early in the morning on the day of my oldest son’s birthday party. The house was silent and I woke and I lay there knowing that soon enough my 6 month old baby would be crying for me, but for now I could just lay in the peace of the early morning. Then a voice spoke to me, a soft whisper: ‘get up and run.’ I couldn’t help but smirk. Just 6 months out from back to back pregnancies where I gained well over the suggested 30 lbs per baby. I was significantly out of shape and over weight and hadn’t done more then walk in 2 years. So I laid there, and tried to quiet the voice. Again it spoke to me: ‘Get up and run.’ I couldn’t ignore it this time so instead I argued with it. I went through my list of reasons why I shouldn’t run today: I had guests coming over today, a birthday party to prep for, and a very full day. But God was relentless, “Get up and run!” With a huge sigh I was out of bed, digging through my drawers for appropriate clothing, huffing my shoes on, fixing my hair and all the while exasperated that I was up so early on this silent, dark morning to do the one thing I hated and was so terrible at. I opened the door to the brisk, dark morning. Talking to myself about what I was going to do, how far I was going to go, how long could I last at this crazy run God had asked me to do. And He spoke to me again but this time he put a verse on my heart: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me- Philippians 4:13 and I began to run.
Now I’m not kidding- it was horrible and lasted about 30 seconds! I went through several run/walk circuits that morning. Just running as long as I could before walking again.
But the actual run didn’t matter. That first morning God met me right where I was. He asked me so sweetly to join Him that morning when he woke me from my sleep. He prompted me to meet him in the darkness and to do something I never would have done on my own. He was on my heart and in my mind giving me strength I never thought was possible through my very first early morning run. We spoke that morning. We shared that run/walk. He was prompting my heart, mind and body to do something greater. He had a plan for me that started that very morning, a plan that would become apparent months and months later that only my obedience that first day would unlock.
Sometimes God asks us to join him in a place you never think is possible. Sometimes it’s a voice asking you to do something so unusual but, if you are obedient, it may be the start of an amazing journey and it all starts with putting one foot in front of the other.
-Jenny
Jenny, knowing you makes this story all the richer! Thanks for being an example of listening to the small voice of God and obeying. That small step has led to transformation that is evident in your life & so many who you inspire daily. Reminds me to listen and DO what I sense God may be asking of me. 🙂 Big hugs!
Thanks for your article, Jenny! I love the metaphor of simply saying “yes” and taking one “step.” Often that’s exactly what God wants us do to. We often don’t get the full picture, just one morsel to sink our teeth into. We sure do walk or “run” by faith, don’t we?