The least of these

The darkness was stark - still and very cold.  It was not yet 6 a.m., the thermometer on the porch read 7 degrees, surely boltered by some radiation from the house.  Wind chill was decidedly below zero.  I stepped off the porch and that distinct crunch of frozen snow permeated the quiet stillness of early morning.  A few more steps, a deep breath and a few words of affirmation (to myself), and I was off and running...

Training for a marathon means you run when you need to - not only when the mood strikes you.

Training for a marathon often brings real meaning to the phrase "the loneliness of the long distance runner".

Training for a marathon changes your priorities, forcing you to put other projects on hold and often having to seek extra grace from your spouse and family for your increased absence.

On this particular morning it was cold.  It was dark.  It was lonely.  But, and this is a big but, I went out into the wintery cold voluntarily, was dressed to run, and had a warm home and a hot shower waiting for me upon my return.

As I moved silently along the deserted streets of my community I was stirred by the lyrics that moved to the fore of my conciousness:

He shares a room outside with a dozen other guys
And the only roof he knows is that sometimes starry sky
A tattered sleeping bag on a concrete slab is his bed
And it’s too cold to talk tonight
So I just sit with him instead and think

How did I find myself in a better place
I can’t look down on the frown on the other guy’s face
‘Cause when I stoop down low, look him square in the eye
I get a funny feeling, I just might be dealing
With the face of Christ

(Hear the whole song here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-IJ7sEEHaY )

While the song paints a specific and vivid picture, in my minds eye I saw the eyes of the single mother in my church trying to be a "good mom" and make ends meet, or the family man in my neighborhood trying to guide his family through a season of employment, or the young man struggling with addiction...  Did I fully grasp that in these eyes was the face of Christ?  Jesus tells us that our response in such situations mirrors our relationship with Him!  Wow.

Heading out into the cold, not because the sometimes starry sky is where I am forced to lay my head, but because I am in a better place, a place that involves the opportunity to train for and run a marathon.   

As a winter storm "of historic preportions" bears down on us my thoughts return to those eyes.  How many of my neighbors already struggle to keep the heat and lights on?  How many are just one bad circumstance from living in the street?  How many are going to be left in the cold and dark as a result of this storm? 

And I'm thinking of my next run...
But that's not all.  I'm also left needing to know how to answer the question "So what?"  What am I going to do about it?

Today's post isn't about providing you the answer to my question.  It is, however, about getting you to ask the question yourself.  I'm on my way to answering it for me.  How about you? 

Press on friends.

The Seven Wonders of the World

Sometimes in the ordinary is hidden the extraordinary.  In the simple act of running, my passion, I hearken back to when I was a kid and running wasn't done for exercise, but just for fun, for play, for joy.  Running is so simple, so pure, so honest.  What a shame running is ruined for many by high school coaches and such that use it as punishment.  But, I digress...

How many of us have surrendered in some way to the existence that the world may label as "normal"?  Something like rise, shower, commute, work, commute, dinner, TV, and bed only to repeat, over and over and over again? 
 
Have even our acts of service become a whirlwind of activity devoid of the Love from which (whom, actually) they should flow?

When was the last time you truly "played"?  Being a grandfather of 3 boys has helped me to listen to my heart in new ways, to live and (at least try) to exuberantly love.


Many of us had to "grow up" to protect ourselves from the onslaught of the evils of this world. Others were taught to put on an outer self of respectability, and with that came a loss of joy.  Some of that is necessary and to a degree it can be good, right, even noble.  However, what if it is in lieu of living life as it is intended?  Humor me and imagine yourself skipping across the finish line of a local race, with arms held high in celebration.  Does it not tap into a wellspring of emotion.  How about standing on top of a mountain?  Or gazing into the eyes of child blessed by your gift of time?

Initially, I imagine the title of this post inspired images of architectural achievement or wonders of nature.  However, I'd like to offer you a new list of The Sever Wonders of the World:

• To Touch
• To Taste
• To See
• To Hear
• To Feel
• To Laugh
• To Love

With my apologies to the original author of this list (I found this in an old journal and don't remember its source) I invite, no encourage, even implore, you to seek the extraordinary by embracing the ordinary anew.  For me, I find each of these in running, and that, I believe, makes me a better husband, father, son, employee and employer, friend...

What about you?

"It is by the heart that God is known, and not by reason"  Oswald Chambers

"I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly"  Jesus (John 10:10)

Press on friends (Phil 3:14)

Reflections

Last weekend I started a trail run in the dark.  The first three+ miles were slow as I felt my way through the trail, unable to see the ground in front of me.  It was chilly but dry.  The warm temps and rain of the previous few days had washed away all the snow and the return to cold temps firmed up the trail surface and it was in great running shape.  Once the day fully dawned I relaxed into an easy pace and spent the next 90 minutes or so reflecting on the year gone by. 

Initially my thoughts focused on the obvious, the difficult family circumstances that came to define the year - surprise pregnancy, cancer diagnosis, loss of jobs, mortgage problems, criminal court, civil court, divorce and frankly I could go on.  Truth is stranger than fiction and 2010 is a year that most Hollywood writers wouldn't have been able to script.

There came a point, however, where I was prompted to take a breath and push past thoughts that focused on circumstances. I believe God was calling me to see He is still on the throne, in control, and was indeed seeing us through the craziness.  It was then that I recognized there is plenty to celebrate - a short list includes:

• Gutting out a finish line at Disney marathon in sub-freezing weather with a terrible flu in January (and really enjoyed the trip with friends)
• Marriage retreat in February where Pam and I renewed our vows
• Having a great race at the Racing for Recovery Half Ironman in June where I raced in honor of family and friends celebrating recovery
• My 7:03 pace at the 10 mile Crim in August was big for me, but the race day was defined by the smiles of accomplishment from so many of my fellow Freedom Striders members (run club), 
• The miracle of birth
• Successful surgery 
• Relationship restoration
• Jobs found
• 80th birthday celebration with my mom.

I choose to define 2010 not by the challenging circumstances, but rather by deliverance, blessings, miracles and the hope for an amazing 2011.

Press on friends.