Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ~Hebrews 12:1
Danny's doctors advise him that it's safe to resume exercising once he gets home from the hospital, but to take it slowly at first. I'm not at all surprised by the take-it-slowly part. After battling his pneumonia-type illness, Danny has quite a way to go when it comes to getting back ho feeling what he would call normal.
In light of that, we go downstairs to our "gym" so Danny can get some time in on the treadmill while I try out the stationary bike for the first time. It's one that Danny orders when he is trying to heal up his knee a while back. It works for him, but most certainly doesn't work for me. I find the bike to be awkward as it places too much stress on my arms when I attempt to ride it.
The solution? Right here!
Danny orders this "mini-bike" from Amazon (where else) and when it arrives, he successfully assembles it in about an hour.
The best part about this mini-bike for me is I can easily lift it and set it up wherever I am - either downstairs with Danny or sitting in front of my computer watching a show. I have no excuse to not use it as much as I possibly can.
The older we get, the more crucial it is for us to stay active. And it's necessary, considering our limitations, to not let the sin of being sedentary hinder our progress as we persevere in the race God has marked out for us.
The days for running like a hare have been replaced with the slow and steady plodding of the turtle, but even that lowly creature makes progress over time. And in Aesop's famous fable, it's the turtle who eventually wins the victor's crown.
We know when we faithfully traverse the path that Jesus has laid out for us in this life, we can rest assured that we will be with Him for eternity. Could there be a more glorious win than that? I think you know the answer.
Amen!
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Dear Martha, I really like your analogy ♥️ of the turtle 🐢 Progress is progress, speed is not a factor. I am happy 😊 for you and Danny. God bless you 🙏
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you liked the analogy, Linda. Running is literally no longer in my vocabulary - LOL!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Praying for the good health of both of you. Take care and exercise ... a little.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Yes, we'll keep on exercising, Victor, albeit slowly. Thanks so much for your prayers!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
The key to keeping fit is to establish a routine and stay it. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteHaving a routine is crucial, I agree. We will keep it up!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Keeping you both in prayer...and yes, the key is still keep active even if its the little things. Have a beautiful day.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your prayers, Linda! Staying active in some capacity is absolutely the key.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
At our age it is good to be able to do something! :) I have not been out on the road on my bike since my knee surgery. I ride inside but that has been the extent of it. I also go to the Y and recently befriended a lady who is 84 and still works on the machines. I'm glad you and Danny are staying active, even though it is much more like the turtle than the hare. (I like that comparison you used). Keep going and keep exercising. This race we are in is not a sprint; it is a long distance run. (DeGarmo & Key sang about being a Long Distance Runner).
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Bill. Life is not a sprint, we're in it for the long haul. Trying to stay active one small step at a time, so to speak. Glad you're getting exercise on the stationary bike.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
We continue to pray for Danny (and you!).
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Glynn. The prayers work wonders!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Continuity will bring us happier days.
ReplyDeleteAmen to that.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
A great solution for you!
ReplyDeleteIt's working out well for us, Christine, that's for sure.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Amen Martha!
DeleteEvery little step equals one big step. We have to keep moving.
You're absolutely right, Debby. Even the small steps matter.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Exercise, physical and spiritual, makes such a difference.
ReplyDeleteBoth are necessary, Diana, I agree.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Ah wonderful post that reminds us to "keep Keeping on!" Sending you blessings today. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteYour "keep, keeping on" comment reminded me of "Keep on Truckin'," Debbie. Yes, let's do it!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
What a wonderful devotional from this exercise equipment! this was a really good idea, let us know how you like it. Is it powered by anything?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comment, Ginny! I am liking it overall, and it isn't powered by anything but your own effort. Since Danny has a pacemaker, we can't have anything that contains magnets, so we avoid that type of equipment altogether. The pedaling isn't quite as smooth, but I'll take it!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Amen, indeed!! xo
ReplyDeleteAmen, again, Terri!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Slow and steady is a way of life now so we must adapt. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, Bill. We have to roll with the seasons of life we are in and always be grateful to our Lord who provides the days we do have to make a difference for Him.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
I've never thought of a sedentary lifestyle as sinful, but you're right, Martha. "If anyone knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them" (James 4:19). Everyone knows that exercise is good for us, and so choosing not to IS sin. God would have us take care of ourselves in mind, spirit, and body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). I greatly dislike working out, but love the results: more energy, greater strength, and solid balance!
ReplyDeleteI love what you said here, Nancy, about the results in the end: having more energy, strength and balance. So true! No, we don't always want to do the hard and difficult part, but the rewards far outweigh our momentary reluctance. No pain, no gain, right?
DeleteGrace and blessings!
I liked your story and knowing you I can just picture things. It is slow and steady that wins the race. Just keep moving!! That is what is important.
ReplyDeleteAnd we are doing just that, Sandie. With this cool weather, Danny and I went to Swift-Cantrell yesterday to walk the trail and he went again today with his son after they went together for one of Danny's follow-up appointments. He is improving, thank the Lord! Hoping to get together with y'all by September at the latest.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Yes we all need to keep our bodies moving and do some kind of exercise daily, although the last couple of days my struggle has been to not move my body, damn Parkinson's
ReplyDeleteThat has to be so hard and difficult for you, Jo-Anne, and I'll most definitely keep you in my prayers. Parkinson's is the pit! However, you are so brave to share about this condition on your blog and educating all of us in the process.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
A mini-bike! Of course! Who'd ever think of such a thing. I hear you about moving slowly. I've taken the pressure off myself to go quick, stay out long, and burn calories. Now I'm just grateful to be outside when the weather is beautiful and walk with confidence and gratefulness that my body is still working.
ReplyDeleteBless you guys!
Always be grateful that your body is still in working order, Linda. Always! Any improvements and progress we can make as we age is most definitely a gift from God. May we simply cherish each day we have to live a healthy life.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Unfortunately, both Tom and I've become sedentary of late. I'm going to check Amazon for that mini bike. Unlike a treadmill, I love that it's portable. Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteI'm certainly enjoying it, Myra, but I'm not endorsing it for everyone. Danny had real trouble when he tried to use it as it didn't seem to fit him the way he needed. I gently reminded him that this was for me so I could go to the "gym" with him. He relented - LOL!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Thank you for sharing this, all of the thoughts and the picture of the mini bike, although I am not sure I understand it. Do you just sit in a chair and pedal it with your feet? That may be what I need! I may have to check into that. I'm glad to hear that Danny is making good progress! That is an answer to prayer.
ReplyDeleteDanny is making great progress, Pamela, and definitely it is an answer to prayer as so many of our church and blogging friends have lifted him up faithfully to the Lord over these past weeks. Yes, I can sit in a chair, adjust my distance to get the full impact of peddling, and it seems to be helping me at this point in time. It's not the smoothest peddling I could ask for, but it is certainly doing the job.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
You've truly got such a good attitude about everything that comes your way, always an inspiration to read your posts. Continuing in prayer for you and Danny both, and that this new "mini bike" will be a blessing for your health! Many blessings to you dear friend!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Marilyn, for your prayers and your kind words here today! I'm hopeful that my mini-wheels will keep me inspired to move more every day, even when I might not feel like it.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Martha, there is no greater win than running the race God has marked out before us. Love the new mini bike. I have friends who use this at work or at home to pedal and stay active while doing other things. It's a great invention for sure. Glad Danny is recovering. God bless.
ReplyDeleteIt is a great invention, Karen, I agree, whether using it at work or at home. And there is no greater win that running that race God has outlined for each of us. We have victory in Jesus!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Thank you once again for inviting us into your home for a visit with you and Danny. You have a way of bringing together a blend of down home realism, spiritual insights, and practical challenges that reinforce our faith and move our minds and hearts closer to the One we serve. Your comments about Danny's rehab and the need for exercise brought a smile to my face as I reflected on my own adventures in that realm. After six total joint replacements and assorted other surgical fun, I relate to those challenges more directly than I ever wanted to. But those hours in physical therapy and ongoing workout routines at the 'Y' have enabled me to keep going. Exercise (at least for me) is never fun, and sometimes those spiritual exercises we need to do regularly aren't "fun" either, but both are richly rewarding and help prepare us to meet whatever tomorrow has in store for us. So, thanks again, dear sister. Diane and I so appreciate having you guys as part of our extended spiritual family and our prayers for both of you continue.
ReplyDeleteThanks most sincerely, Ron, for your kind and genuine words here. You may have noticed that my subtitle for my blog is "Meeting the Miraculous in the Mundane." It's simply what God has inspired me to do - to see His hand at work in all things, no matter how ordinary they may seem. I hear you loud and clear about the follow ups of physical therapy that joint replacements require, and I so admire your tenacity for sticking to that whether or not you want to or not. That doesn't matter if we want to get well and do our best here on earth for ourselves and those we love. The same goes for those spiritual exercises of prayer and Bible study. Life's demands can be taxing, but if we're not in shape to take them on physically and spiritually, we can't possibly serve our God in the way He deserves.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Amen to the turtle race. We have often been reduced to slow on the odometer. It is important to keep movin' on.
ReplyDeleteHugs and Blessings
Absolutely, Jim! We must keep moving to keep ourselves healthy so that we might do the work God has called us to do for His glory here on earth. Keep moving!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Amen Martha!! it's good to know that Danny is improving and that he is taking it slow and easy. any kind of exercise is so good for us, even if it requires us taking the slow path as that of a turtle. Continued prayers for Danny and for you as his caretaker. Enjoy those exercises!!
ReplyDeleteI can't thank you enough for your continued prayers for Danny, Shug. He truly is improving, albeit slowly. We are in it for the long haul, doing our best to strengthen each other physically and spiritually. Know that Sam and you are in our prayers, too!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
A nice post as always and great photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comment here, Snobe.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Hi Martha Jane, no there could not be a more glorious win than what lies ahead for believers. I like what you have said about the hare and the turtle, it is a good analogy. God bless you and Danny daily with all He has for us in Jesus.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your kind words here, Brenda. As believers, we can be assured that the ultimate victory will one day be ours.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Very important post for me. Thank you Martha.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
You are so welcome, Regine. I'm glad you found this one meaningful to you.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
I'm glad Danny is improving. And that you found such a portable exercise device! That's amazing. Every little bit does add up. I agree that it's so important to keep moving as much as we can as we age.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Lisa! We do need to keep as active as possible, even and especially at times we just don't feel like it. May God inspire us all to keep on keepin' on!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Olá, Martha
ReplyDeleteMelhoras para você e o Danny. A ideia da mini-bicicleta foi ótima, continuem se movimentando, os exercícios são excelentes para a saúde. Estou fazendo pilates e estou gostando muito. O caminho que Jesus traçou para nós é maravilhoso, a vitória é certa, um forte abraço.
I'm so happy to learn that you're doing Pilates for exercise, Lucinalva. That actually sounds like fun! Thanks for your well-wishes for the both of us as we all traverse that victory road with Jesus.
ReplyDeleteGrace and blessings!
I think you are demonstrating great adaptation skills here while getting healthier!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Jean. Yes, I'm trying!
DeleteGrace and blessings!
thecontemplativecat here. I have a floor pedal thing, and I can handle that. Parkinson's is a strange task master.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't aware of your Parkinson's, Susan, and I will certainly keep you in prayer! Glad to know you can safely pedal for some exercise with this condition to exercise your muscles.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
How lovely that I got you for Shug's Sunday challenge, because I know you! Phil used to be a song leader in church, and then sang with the choir. I know you will both get back to your music soon, and it will be even more fulfilling! Meanwhile you can practice singing at home!
ReplyDeleteWhat a small world, Ginny! I loved Shug's challenge in her latest blog as I felt that I got to know everyone just that much better, too. Because the steroids Danny's been on prevented him from singing for a while so he wouldn't strain his vocal chords, he is really coming around now that the dose is lowered. So yes, we'll be singing at home.
DeleteGrace and blessings!
Great idea to have that bike. Here in Holland we ride our bikes until... well, my dad is 90 and last year he decided not to do it anymore. Better.
ReplyDeleteYour dad rode until he was 90? Wow, Marja! I know that Holland is flat for the most part, and I can definitely see why riding a bike outdoors would be fun. Where we live, the terrain is hilly, making it nearly impossible to even ride a bike out of our neighborhood. Plus, my balance isn't what it used to be. Staying indoors and cycling in a stationary way is a life-saver for me.
DeleteGrace and blessings!