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When Life Laps You



Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 
and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 
for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest.
Matthew 11:28-29


"It feeled like 3 laps, Mommy."


Monday our six year old, Clara, decided she would join the ranks of runner. Filled with determination and energy, she wanted to stride right into a three mile run. With thousands of miles under my soles, I started her with a 1/3 mile lap around our neighborhood. Day one she outpaced me and never had to stop. Day two she struggled a bit and wanted to come home after 1/3 mile.


Have you ever had a day that clocked 1/3 mile but "feeled" like 3 laps? Have you ever wondered how to breathe rest on trying days? Prayer is the fuel for life's run.


Last fall we joined in prayer to get PrePrayed. We learned how to energize our ordinary days so we would be prepared for life's big events not just logistically but spiritually. Specifically, we prayed rest in four areas:


Rest for your heart


Rest for your soul


Rest for your mind


Rest for you body

Do you need to re-fuel? Why not take the next 30 days to recharge your heart and refresh your soul? You can download the complete free prayer guide, PrePrayed, here: http://www.shannonmilholland.com/free-resources.html

Please allow me the privilege of praying for you on your journey. Tell me in a comment specifically how I pray for you today.

22 comments:

  1. Oh Shannon, you are heaven sent! Can I ask you to please pray that my sinusitis goes away? Thanks very much :). I'll also download PrePrayed, and share it with my friends too, if that's alright? I feel blessed to have visited your blog today, really! On most days, yes, I feel so run down- emotionally and physically. Prayer may be the antidote...

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    1. Pepper, I am praying right now for relief from the pain and rapid healing of your sinusitis. Thank you for downloading it and please share it with anyone you'd like.

      Sweet blessing to you!

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  2. Awe, Shannon... how sweet. Maybe Pre-Prayed will be my next challenge? lol... seriously, I'll have to check it out. Thank you. Seems like you're a step ahead of me, because when I read your blog I feel as if you are writing directly to me. ;) Thank you doll!! Blessings to you and yours.

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    1. Carla, I'd love for you to take the PrePrayed challenge - it would be such an honor to pray for you while you write!

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  3. Thanks I could use a post like this. I just came home from a run that felt awful. I felt sooo tired. I really do need to refuel.

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    1. Praying your blank spot got filled quickly!

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  4. what a nice post--I'm NOT a runner so I cannot understand that part of the post --BUT PRAYER as our fuel-AMEN!! I'll check out that download THANKS!
    as for my prayer request- the biggest hurdle right now I'm facing is a tween daughter who's starting to become a "woman" as a Mother with gals I'm sure you know what I mean---this summer is seeming EXTRA LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!! =^D

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    1. Oh, Pamela, I am praying right now that God's grace smooths the highs and lows, His mercy covers your heart as you deal with the daily drama and His extraordinary love fills you up daily to have enough to keep giving when you are weary. XO

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  5. Shannon, I remember reading Pre-Prayed as you wrote it and it was such a blessing to me. I already have it downloaded (I think) and will have to cruise through it again. I think it would be very helpful to me right now. I don't know about you, but I've been feeling very overwhelmed the past several weeks. My brain and my ideas are moving faster than the rest of me can keep up, and I've had sick children, VBS, and a gazillion other "distractions" keeping me from getting the exercise I crave to burn off that anxiety and stress. So I would be very grateful for prayers of...gosh, I don't even know what...discernment, maybe? So I know how best to prioritize things. So I follow God's will instead of my own. So I make sure I'm giving time to those precious hearts who need me most --- my little girls and my ever patient husband. It seems like I'm in constant need of these types of prayers. I'm so grateful God knew I would have such a driven personality and that He responds to it with such grace and mercy.

    Blessings to you dear friend, and wishing you a beautiful weekend!
    ~Rosann

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    1. Rosann, I am praying right now for wisdom and discernment. I pray He would distinguish His best from the good clearly in your mind so your heart can experience peace.

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  6. Another good post Shannon. It seems whenever I drop in you have written something in your post that fits for me. Actually read this yesterday but couldn't even think to write a comment. Life has definitely lapped me. Am downloading Preprayed today. I remember how much many of them helped me.

    Thank you and blessings to you today. Hoping your summer is going good and you are making many memories as a family.

    Chelle

    Thank you for stopping by my blog yesterday. I always appreciate your comments.

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    1. Chelle, God truly does touch us deeper than we deserve and more intimately than we can imagine. I love that!

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  7. Thanks Shannon, Lately, I have been restless, like something big is just around the corner. I know I am strong enough for it, as even when one lap feels like three laps, I always manage to do the laps, in running, more recently in walking, and in life. But rest is something that can elude me sometimes, especially for my body and soul (which, of course, affect my mind and heart).

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    1. Claire, I am praying for you - mind, body, soul and spirit - that you will be filled with all you need to be victorious in all you're given.

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  8. Thank you for this opportunity. Please pray that I may overcome my longing for my home, friends and work. I'm a Filipina livign here in Germany with my family (husband & kids) and I know that being together with them is priceless but sometimes I still feel lonely living here in foreign land.
    May the Lord continue to shower you His blessings so you may continue to be His instrument.

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    1. Oh Rachelle, I am praying right now for His presence to fill the spaces of your loneliness, His power to overcome your longings and His purposes to consume your everyday moments.

      Thank you for the privilege of praying for you while you are so far from home.

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  9. Shannon,
    I am sending preprayed to a friend whose family is hurting terribly right now. Please pray for them with me, that God's hope and healing power will invade their family and heal broken hearts. It's been a pain-filled week, for them especially, but for all of us who love them, too.

    Thanks, dear friend.

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    1. Karen, I am praying for God's peace, comfort and healing for the community surrounding them and especially within their family.

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  10. Thank you, Shannon. I'm preparing for a huge trip to Indonesia in 10 days, and am feeling a little 'lapped' myself!

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    1. Jennifer, praying for peace while you pack & energy while you organize. Blessings to you, friend!

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  11. Hey Shannon!
    I just began going through your book two days ago... funny timing with your post here, huh! :) I've had it waiting for me on my desktop for months now!
    You may pray for me... I want to write a book, and God's Spirit is firing up His wind in my belly stronger than ever before! It's so exciting... but I need to slow, focus, hear from Him more, and more, and more. Thank you for praying girl! Looks like I'll be meeting you in September too! ;) ~ Blessings out girl, Amy

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    1. So excited about that! Woo Hoo! As for writing a book, I am praying for His leadership, timing and especially patience as He develops you and works out His plan. :)

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I love hearing from you! Thank you for your comments!