running in the rain

Saturday. 18 miles.

I set out in the direction of the blue skies and fluffy clouds.  I’m starting to get over the “Oh my…I could be running for 3 hours or more.”  I’m already looking forward to hitting my sweet spot of mile 5 where I clip along and enjoy the run.  The wind plays with the clouds and I stand in awe at all the different views I soak up.  The dark rain clouds tease me to the right while the high wispy clouds dance behind me.  I loathe miles 2 and 3 but keep on staring into the sun for encouragement.  When I hit mile 5, I’m going up hill and like clockwork the rain clouds have shifted to directly over my head.  There I am.  Running uphill in the kind of rain that stings and makes you wonder if your ipod will survive.

But.

This is mile 5. I’m ready. My muscles are warmed up. I’ve settled into my long run pace. I know better than to stop.  I keep running.  I can’t stop the rain. I can’t change the circumstances. I can’t outrun the downpour.  So, I just run in the rain up the hill.

God meets me there. Brings me back to a conversation on that couch where I hold a pillow and play with my earrings thinking nervously about what my body language says as I find myself crossing my arms here and there.  In the midst of the words, a thought is held in my heart.

Have you ever thought that maybe God knew…  God knew and trusted that you would keep running the race.  He knew that the rain wouldn’t pull you out of the race, but would only strengthen you and that you wouldn’t stop.  He knew the time when you could handle the rain.  That’s when He let the rain fall.

I don’t know. But maybe…maybe the same’s true for the desert and the tears and the breaking because really deserts and storms are awfully similar.

p.s. I finished in under 3 hours.

have you kept running in the storm? or turned back to strengthen your brothers like peter after you fell? thoughts? 

you:create…closet door

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness is useful and of value in everything and in every way.” 1 Timothy 4:8

“But if we hope for what we do not have, we wait for it patiently.” Romans 8:25

“And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

Seek Intimacy–ways that to connect with God

Pre-training–current running

Marathon training schedule

Calendar with spots to keep track

Let God

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Visual reminders are key. If I see my goals or have a spot to check them off then I am much more likely to follow through on them.  Plus, if it’s on my closet door….well, then there’s really no way around me seeing it at least twice a day!

How do you keep track? Do you keep track? Do you have any goals you’re working toward?

My Current Goals (check out Hello 2010 for the whole list of those I wrote in January): Bible in 90 days, Marathon in Africa, Go back to Africa in His Timing, Joy list, Drinking more water, Flossing/Brushing teeth, Waiting Well

Joy Wash Over Me

My head is coming up out of the water and I’m letting the waves wash over me again as I keep seeking and choosing joy.  My lists gets longer each week. The numbers climb toward 1,000.  How am I already over halfway?!  Well, part of it, is simply by taking a little of Anne Lamott’s advice by throwing some ingredients into the equation: being present, feeling things deeply, and becoming conscious in order to add something a little extra to this challenge of making life into art.  I even find myself writing down things that don’t seem like they should count, but they do now!  Besides, He tells us to give thanks for ALL things…which is part of experiencing joy for me.

Here’s a snapshot of my list:

459. seeking a sunrise

466. falling through the snow

475. having it okay to be real with God–He can take it.

488. looking for the swans

491. finishing 16.1 kilometers!!!!!

503. tears on the car ride home

510. the feeling of knowing you loved because it hurts to say good-bye

516. capturing the beautiful in a sentence

523. using up all my battery

527. driving with the windows down

551. someone saying “you’re such a kid…” (in a good way)

Your turn!! Share some of the joy 🙂