“To Glorify God,

 a widow of Faith pursues Boston Marathon Dream”

by Babs Kincaid

         What motivates a widow and mother of four to set her sights on the Boston Marathon? Trish Cashen’s heart’s desire was to realize a dream come true and glorify God in the process. Trish is a woman of Godly vision with overcoming faith. Her goal was not only to qualify for the Boston Marathon but to do well enough to eliminate having to go through the lottery. She explained to me her desire was for a “solid win.” Trish is the kind of gal that desires to live out this verse: And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17

          So let’s look at Trish’s humble spiritual approach to achieve her qualifying goal. Trish was not running solo but running with Jesus all the way. She covered her entire training with fervent prayer. She prayed every day: “for the Lord to protect all of her running parts from damage or hurt.” So when Trish ran she wore “rock tape and magnetic knee supports” to protect her knees. She knew her inner strength would only come from God: “But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 What a beautiful reward from God, to soar like an eagle and have your strength renewed!

          Trish realized such a demanding run would require her to be in top-notch physical shape! Realistically, she decided she would have to drop “20-25 pounds for less beating on her body”. Wow, that’s a lot! Trish described her physical concern: “With that kind of training, I did not want to injure my knees. I knew to accomplish both, I needed to lose weight. Think of it, I took off five 5 pound bags of sugar that I was not carrying each step. Also, I was not happy in my own skin.” Her rigorous running schedule included 18 weeks of grueling running before daylight! Did you hear that, Trish got up super early many hours before daylight and ran while everyone else was sleeping! Wow that is commitment and courage! A typical weekly schedule would including Monday resting, Tuesday running 3-5 miles depending on the week, Wednesday running 3-10 miles depending on the week, Thursday running 2-5 miles depending on the week, Friday resting, Saturday running 5-20 miles depending on the week and Sunday would be cross, half-marathon, and marathon running. After Trish lost the 25 pounds she joyfully said: “The weight loss was tremendous. I felt like I was running with the wind.”

What kind of overcoming mindset did Trish exhibit to achieve her marathon vision? One of Godly virtues she demonstrated was patience: “Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 Eighteen weeks of running is quite a test of patience! Self-control was another fruit of the Spirit that Trish had to adhere to all the way. Consider this powerful verse: “Make every effort to add to your faith…self-control” 2 Peter 1:5a, 6a, and Trish wisely changed her life’s theme song from “living to eat, to eating to live.” That requires major self-control! No doubt Trish counted on her faith to prevail when fatigue kicked in on mile 20 of the race. She didn’t give into her body when doubts of finishing bombarded her mind! Check it out: “You will keep him in perfect peace, those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 Trish held onto the Prince of Peace to see her through her grueling challenge without wavering in unbelief!

A new nourishment plan was created by Trish to align with her heavy duty running strategy. She was committed to saying goodbye to all sugars! She is quoted as saying: “Sugars were poison to me. That at first was challenging.” Trish had to be rigid in saying NO to sugar! Listen to her revised nutrition plan: “Watermelon became my go-to for sweets. I found when you eat plenty of protein, the desire for sugar fades. So the calories that I burned in running outweighed the calories I took in eating. The days I didn’t run, I made sure my intake was less than 1000.” Crucial for crossing the finish line is being fully hydrated. Trish had learned that lesson in her practice runs and so wisely hydrated herself 48 hours before the race. Trish told me if dehydration kicks in you literally have to stop running! Her surprising words were: “Drinking was almost harder than the actual training.” Trish isn’t fond of the bland taste of water so overdosing on it was difficult for her. Truly her game plan included healthy food, plus a diligent running schedule plus the phenominal wisdom of Christ.

Confidence embraced Trish on the day of the race, as she said: “I knew on my end I had done everything I could to be prepared. The rest was up to God.” I was not surprised that she crossed the finish line On August 26, 2017, at Grand Island, Nebraska with a winning time of 4 hours, 11 minutes and 43 seconds. All she needed to qualify was 4 hours and 40 minutes. “To the faithful, God shows himself faithful.” Psalm 18:25 Yea God!!! Yea Trish!!! So another sweet take away from winning the qualifying race for her was gratitude! In Trish’s own words: “For me, I thank the LORD daily, for allowing me to run and to be happy in my own skin again! It’s a disciplined life. But isn’t that our calling, to be disciplined in all things?” Well said Trish! I can see this verse reflected in her life: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 That’s what makes her story so motivating and inspirational! Yea God! Yea Trish! So what great adventure is God stirring up in you??????

When Trish is not running, she facilitates a weekly women’s home Bible study, hosts a periodic WOW (Women of the Word) women’s home gathering and leads an Alzheimer’s/Dementia support group at Calvary Church in Jupiter, Florida and does so much more with her grandkids!!!

Self Care: I'm Trading my Love Handles in for Godly Self-Control by Babs Kincaid

       I am making a fearless decision to trade in my love handles for some Godly self-control! I am praying this scripture to keep myself accountable: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 Now, I am also accountable to you my readers! Oh my!  I have drifted away from my pursuit of Godly self-control and discipline! I can’t blame anyone but myself! My appetite has controlled me instead of me controlling my appetite! I can look back and remember when food did not rob me of my joy of being energetic and content with my body! “Godliness with contentment is great gain!” 1 Timothy 6:6 Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance defines contentment (841) as “self-satisfaction, a competence, and sufficiency.” I love the word satisfaction because I am not getting any satisfaction with my love handles!!!!!! I feel sluggish and uncomfortable in my physical being and my clothes! I am sick and tired of being sick and tired so it is now time for some divine action! My great gain will be to shed the extra bags of fat I am carrying around and obtain God’s contentment!

My goal is to lose 10-15 pounds which seems like a mountain in my dysfunctional thinking. Wait doesn’t God specialize in moving mountains??? One of my favorite scriptures is this one: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say… “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7 Well, the good news is God does reign and he has given me this familiar promise to claim and share with you: “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.” Mark 11:23 I have to shake off the dust from my sleepy brain and awaken to God’s truth! The lie for me is one day of self-indulgence doesn’t matter, but unfortunately, it always turns into more than one day! That’s where God’s gift of self-control comes in to move my mountain of unwanted pounds! Another lie for me is that I have to have huge faith to move my mountain! Here is God’s truth: “Truly, I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 Did you catch the part where God says. nothing will be impossible for you? 

God gave me the fruits of the spirit to be my lifestyle not my appetizer! Duh!!! Sometimes I forget the fruits of the Spirit includes self-control. Think about this verse: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23b I wish my life would always reflect the fruits of the Spirit. God did not give me these extravagant gifts as a casual sample of his grace but as a lifestyle reflecting Himself! My life is to be a beautiful portrait of his love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

The winning part of this complex struggle of mine is that my help to overcome my appetite and exercise dilemma is comes from God! “I lift up my eyes to the mountains-where does my help come from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 So how up close and personal is this help that God has promised? “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 Can you visualize God holding your hand and calming your anxiety to make your goal a reality! As I write this blog, God is reassuring me over and over again through His word of His faithfulness! God wants me to shake off any lies that I am in this struggle alone to sink or swim! Hasn’t God said? “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 God’s word encourages me to go on this adventure with him because “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” Proverbs 12:25 No wonder God has wisely equipped me as His word states: “the joy of the LORD is my strength.” Nehemiah 8:10b God is the profound master of overcoming obstacles!

God has called me more than a conqueror in His word! This is powerful:  “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37 To be more than a conqueror you have to conqueror something! Duh! I am seeking to conqueror my fear of failure and fear of not being good enough! I had a dear sister in Christ who is a more than conqueror role model for me. Her name is Trish Cashen and she is a widow and mother of 4 who just qualified for the Boston Marathon! You can read her incredible story in my upcoming blog called: “To Glorify God, A Widow of Faith Pursues Boston Marathon Dream.” She went into strict training with God as her guide and shed 20-25 pounds and realized her dream. No doubt this verse had to motivate Trish, “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1b By her example, I am inspired to take this small leap of faith knowing that it will lead to so much more leaps of faith! My heart’s desire is to be more than a conqueror and to approach my journey with perseverance!

        

          So for me, a new race has just begun with today! God is the God of new beginnings so I am ready for some major changes in my thinking, eating, and exercise. I used to believe that sugar was not my friend. After talking to Trish Cashen I believe sugar is my enemy! Each day matters for me to eat wisely more vegetables, more lemon water, some fruits (breakfast only), no carbohydrates, some protein and no deserts. Each day matters for me to burn calories with an exercise of power walking and biking.  I am claiming this verse for my new adventure: “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it springs forth; shall you not know it? I will make a road in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert,” Isaiah 43:18-19 I believe I will finish strong because of this verse: Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6  My prayer is that you also will have the confidence to begin a new quest with God!