Running with Rain

Today was a wet run.  Light rain throughout my short run.  But as they say "into each life some rain must fall."  I think rain is what we make of it.  We can ruminate about it.  We can constantly have it on our minds but all that is going to do is slow us down.  I think the best way to deal with it is to understand that it is going to happen sometimes and make the best out of our situation.  I could have not ran this evening.  I had plenty of other reasons not to run, but where would that have gotten me.  Sometimes running in the rain makes us stronger.  This is so applicable to our lives.  Being in Christ doesn't promise us a perfect life but when life brings us rain we have Christ to be there to help us through each situation.  Even when it is raining the Son is still there we just cannot see him.  We must have faith that it he there.

* Running tip - wearing a running cap when it is raining does a great job of keeping the rain out of your eyes.

Amazing Grace

Today I left the house as the sun was coming up.  My run today was a negative split 6 miles.  Each mile I try to run faster then the last.  The first part of my run was easy so I had a chance to think about my run the day before.  Yesterday I ran with my daughter Grace.  That lead me to think about Gods grace.  He you ever been given a gift that you didn't expect or didn't deserve?  Think about how that made you feel.  It is a great feeling to have someone care about you enough to give you something that they didn't have to.  This is what God did for us.  He Gave us his Son Jesus Christ out of love.  He didn't have to give us that gift and we definitely didn't deserve it.

Today as I ran I thanked God for his never ending Grace.

* Running tip - Always tie your shoe in a double knot.  Sounds basic but who wants to stop and tie your shoe during a run.

Running with Grace

Beautiful run this afternoon. I had a running partner today.  My 16 year old daughter was with me. I love running with my family. Instead of running with God today I was running with Grace. My only prayer today was of thanks for my family. I am lucky to have healthy, loving, fun children and an extremely supportive wife.

It still feels like summer in Southern Indiana.

Running with Obstacles and Determination

I was out the door early this morning.  It was 5:45. It was dark.  70 degrees and cloudy with a 10% chance of rain.  Today's run was 6 miles with miles 2, 4, and 6 being at a faster pace.  There were several obstacles in my way today.  The first obstacle was small and fleeting.  At about 1/4 of a mile a rabbit was in front of me.  It was dark so I didn't see him until I was very close.  I almost stepped on him as he ran in front of me.  There were a couple of cars that passed me and a few in the street that I had to avoid.  No problem. Near the half way point in my run I saw lights facing me.  They were moving slowly and they were bright.  As I got closer I could hear the grinding of gears and the sounds of a powerful engine.  I could then see this monstrous machine with three legs attached to tracks.  This behemoth was heading for me and wasn't going to alter its course.  As I moved to the edge of the road I stepped off of the shoulder.  I was a bit surprised but didn't fall. After avoiding this obstacle I was headed home.  As my watch beeped to let me know I was starting my last mile I knew I was going to have to pick up my pace again, that's when I heard the rain.  It was down the road and coming my way.  As it hit me it was hard and steady.  For a moment I thought to take the short cut home. It entered my mind that I should slow down and take it easy because of the rain.  I decided not to do either.  I would give it my best and try to meet my goal.  I was successful.  My determination for the run overcame the obstacles that were placed before me today.

The story of today's run is very similar to life in Christ.  We will have obstacles.  Some will be small and some will be large.  Some obstacles will be easy to overcome and others more difficult.  If we rely on the Lord and have determination to run the race that is set out before us we will be successful.