I hadn't been on the treadmill in a while and decided it was about time. So I turned it on to one of the 30 minute programmed walks. I really like this treadmill because it will automatically adjust the speed and incline according to the chosen program.

After about the first 10 minutes I began to breathe really hard. Funny, I didn't use to do that. But I guessed it had been longer than I thought since I had been on it. However, I was using a different program than usual, maybe it was just harder...or maybe not. Whatever the reason, I wasn't sure I was going to make the entire half hour at these speeds and inclines.

Finally, I reached the last 6 minutes or so and was feeling like I might make it. 'Might' was definitely the operative word here. I was clipping along about 3.5 miles an hour at a level 4 incline. I decided it wasn't impossible and I would indeed be able to finish the program. And then...there's that 'and then' again. And then one of the cats decided to join me. She just wanted to be close so she jumped. Fortunately, she didn't jump on the moving part. Instead she jumped onto the top so she could be right in front of me. I thought that was kind of cute and pretty sweet until she decided to leap off.

All of a sudden I found my self running in huge steps leaping to keep up and wondering what had happened. The treadmill began to bounce as I ran frantically, gasping and losing the battle. After about 4 or 5 gigantic leaps, I noticed the treadmill was running at 8 miles an hour. No way! I was pretty much just hanging on to the handles at that point. I had to get off before I fell! So I quickly put a foot on each side of the conveyor to keep from falling off the end.

Somehow, the cat's foot must have hit the level 8 speed button as she jumped off. I don't THINK she was trying to kill me but I could be wrong. She does seem to like my husband better.

But I have to tell you, once I had adjusted the speed to the correct number and got back on, I didn't feel nearly as tired. Oh sure, my heart was beating like crazy and I was still gasping from the excitement but I was actually feeling more frenzied than tired. And after living through that experience, I was pretty confident I could finish the last few minutes.

Have you been tired or discouraged at times in your life? Have you ever felt like someone just pressed the 8 miles an hour button leaving you just hanging on and struggling to keep up? Well, if so, let me direct you to a couple of verses to help you push through and not give up.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

1 Peter 5:7 says, "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."

And let's not forget what God said to Jeremiah in chapter 31 verse25, "I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."

So maybe that will help get you through some of the tough areas of your life. As for the treadmill, my best advice is to not share it with your cat.