living in my sweet spot* 64/366

one day last week that phrase, 
"sweet spot", 
came to mind while I was evaluating this place I currently find myself living in 
sweet spot has lingered,
gaining momentum and strength, 
making itself at home in my thoughts and heart
fed by a string of great days and good days sprinkled with some hard moments

in spite of the fact
that I am being challenged and stretched
almost daily in one or more areas of my life
mentally
physically
emotionally
and spiritually
beyond anything I would choose
far beyond anything I would have dreamed of,
I have found my sweet spot
and working/living from here is not draining 

oh, I am tired to be sure, but it is the best kind of tired,
one that stems from running my race in my lane 
and running it well
not giving up when I hit "the wall"
keeping on when I stumble or stagger
slowing down to allow my body to recover when I get a "stitch in my side",
pushing or plodding through, depending on the day,
looking forward to catching my "second wind",
and the burst of pure pleasure that comes from persevering 
when your legs that felt like rubber only minutes before,
now feel like they have wings - a runner's sweet spot,

I have hit my stride** in this current phase of life
and it is encouraging 
and energizing
and might I even say it is exhilarating
and whisper that it is a little scary

how did I get here?
by allowing God to have His way in and with and through me
by asking him to train me, correct me, rebuke me, refine me, prune me
by accepting His love, His mercy, His grace, His discipline, His forgiveness
by practicing living by truth rather than feelings
by waiting, patiently and not so patiently for direction
by looking for the next right thing-and doing it
by trusting and walking by obedience in the dark as well as the light
by wrestling with doubts and lies and half truths
by doing what needs to be done rather than what would be easy to do
by focusing on listening when I read my Bible, journal and pray
by striving to remember to live with eternity in mind
by submitting my will to His

I don't always get "it" right
but I keep repenting and asking forgiveness when I fail,
and I keep allowing him to restore the relationship

was it easy to get to this sweet spot?
no, 
no it was not

did I doubt I would ever find a "sweet spot" again?
yes,
yes I most certainly did doubt

will it last forever?
I hope not 
I hope it will help me grow to the next phase

but until then,
I am going to enjoy and take advantage of this place as long as it lasts,
and when it is time, 
I will be prepared to move on,
ready to allow God to show me how to expand my sweet spot,
how to find my new stride, 
one step at a time

Merriam-Webster definitions

*sweet spot:
1. sports : the area around the center of mass of a bat, a racket, or the head of a club that is the most effective part with which to hit a ball

2.an ideal or most favorable location, level, area, or combination of factors for a particular activity or purpose

**hitting one's stride:
to begin to do something in a confident and effective way after starting slowly

Collins Dictionary definition of hitting one's stride is a little more descriptive and fits me better:
to start to do something easily and confidently, after being slow and uncertain at the beginning

Might these be examples of sweet spots for a Christian?
Paul for this life:
"my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace." Acts 20:24

Paul at the end of his race here on earth:
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8