~ Running…(Home) ~
I went running yesterday. Out into the humid, hot night air. It was refreshing and exhausting at the same time. Breathing in the water-laden air, laced intermittenly with the smell of sweat, car exhaust, and trees. I had just finished dinner about an hour before and all the blood had since settled in my stomach. I just felt confined and constricted at home, where the heat and humidity was actually more acute. All I knew was that I wanted to run somewhere far, somewhere better than where I was at. I didn’t know that’s what I wanted, but after stopping and starting about 3 times on my way from South Philly to the Art Museum, I decided I wasn’t Rocky, but rather more like a wanderer looking for a place to lay my head.
My lungs burning, my legs shaky, my body complaining but surprisingly, my heart was steady. I wasn’t really looking forward to running up all the steps to the front of the Art Museum, rather… I was hoping to drop in on one of my friends and ask for a cup of cold water before making my way back to South Philly. Too bad my friend wasn’t home. I called about 6 blocks from the Art Museum and got voice mail. After that I decided it wasn’t worth it to get to the Art Museum, it held no promise for me, no reward for my struggles and so I turned back and walked home.
In a lot of ways, my run yesterday describes a life lived in faith. Too many parallels run in my mind of how this run reminds me of how I’ve been living my life for God. Lots of stops and starts. Reaching out to others to refresh me on running this race. But most of all, I seem to have lost sight or my focus of the goal at the end of the race. Perhaps that’s why, 6 blocks away, I seem to be moving backward instead of forward.
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Prayer Items:
Alaska trip
Grad going to Cornell
BW’s schoolwork
SS struggle to grasp salvation
AB’s wedding
Reaching out to F, BC, FK, B
Band of Brothers
Y’s career crossroad
Pastor Y, P, T
Nurturing
My cynicism
Parent’s Salvation
V’s spiritual direction
Surrendering romantic relationship to God.
Striving for authentic manhood
Missionaries and their trips to Peru, Micronesia, Malaysia, and Turkey
= = = = = = =
Dad, help me to see, there’s much more than just a race, but to see what it is I strive for. A place beyond words. A love beyond comprehension. A place that seems impossible like a castle in fairy tale. I don’t want to look back anymore. Keep my eyes on you, my treasure and my great reward. Forgive me when I stop, waylaid by a simple obstacle that is no more than an excuse to stop and pretend to catch my breath. Thank you for those you have placed in my life to encourage me on in this race. May your blessings rest upon them. Help me to move beyond relying so much on myself and learn to lean on you, for there is nothing that is impossible for you. I ask all this in the name of Jesus on whom all our hopes rest, Amen.
Wow, running from SP to the Art Museum, huh. I don’t think I have the energy or breath to do that. I could only run for a bit then stop & walk then jog again. I’m sort of breath easily. hahaha…
Btw, can’t jog in the rain, I might get sick. Usually when I get wet from the rain, I get a cold easily. hahaha…:-(
what’s changed exactly??
:SeeSpotRun: i hear ya on this one bro but that’s why we’ve got brothers and sisters in Christ that’ll support each other along the way, reach out and sometimes chide to make us remember that He’s always there to reach out when we seek Him out. as long as you know you’re walking His road, you’ll get there eventually!! :sunshine:
wow i haven’t gone on a run in so long
good job… with the insights and all
always,
Christine
mmk well you can IM me if ya want
The greatest of all rewards is at the end of the race. Live up to what you already attained. Press on brother.
hi, did u get my text message yesterday morning. if not, pls. check ur email today. just sent u an email earlier or read my xanga site. it explains everything. thanx!
thanks for the word of encouragement hon! =)
wasup…
saturday, i’m heading to a gf’s housewarming party around 1pm. then after that, no plans yet. no plans for sunday yet too.
btw, good news that i don’t have to work this weekend. what about u? any plans??? what’s going on ur end this weekend?
is it ur b-day? let me know if it is…:lol:
driving to where???
taking ur daddy out to dinner? my daddy is going out w/his guy frens to celebrate.
I like the way you write…makes me think, especially my walk with God. May God bless you.
driving to penn state. is it the main campus 1? it’s far. about 4 to 5 hrs. driving. drive safely & have fun.
btw, my bro. went to penn state before. did u graduate from there too?
lol..I’ve enjoyed reading this post. Running is my favorite past time. It really doesn’t matter that you did the stop and go all the way to your destination (the finish line), but the fact that you’ve finished is what matters. 😆 If you run a few more blocks and do some hill work, then you will reap your rewards (aches/pains = stronger body/larger muscles)..hehe! So really, you’ll find yourself “resting your head” easier, appreciating drinking all of that “cold water”, and being “rewarded” with better endurance! So how’s that for optimism? :cheekygrin: But really, I can relate how life is like running. Don’t stop at one place for a prolonged length of time, or else it will be more difficult to get going again and get that blood movin’ to when it once was! Yes, it is important to persevere and keep going forward experiencing the great adventure on the way. 🙂