I woke about 5:20 a.m. and couldn't fall back asleep. So I grabbed my water bottle, mp3 player and my skele-toes shoes and headed out into the cool wet morning. I decided not to head out to the beach as I have been for the past few weeks and instead headed to the woods.
It was still a little dark out when I got into the woods. The sun hadn't truly risen yet. It was just a soft glowing thought in the sleepy blacks and blues of night. But that didn't bother me. Running is something I am not all that great at, but I found that the woods were calling me. I picked up my pace. Weaving through the dew soaked branches, trying not to trip over roots that rose up to great me. My feet always seemed to find the right place to land. Never twisting or tripping, just earth under me pushing me along.
Now I'm not saying I ran the whole time. Oh no, that would be a lie. I ran til my body would scream and then I would slow to a walk. I would check my phone for the time and was shocked by how little time had passed since the last time I had checked it. I felt like I had been running forever. I know those trails and I know how long it takes to get to certain parts. I always felt like I had run or walked for at least 20 minutes, but in the end it was more like 5. I didn't know if that was discouraging or encouraging. So I went with the latter. At one point I came upon a meadow to the east. I could see the sun coming up. It hadn't broken above the trees yet, but it was peaking its glorious head up over the tall grasses. I don't know if it was the sun or the song I was listening to, but a smile spread across my face and I took off again.
I had done the loop that led me back to the main trail and stopped to catch a quick breath when it happened. The sun had broken through the trees. The forest was alive. Soft rays of light filtered through the leaves. The small specks of dust danced in the beams and insects seemed to bask in the morning light. I could see the small pools of dew in the fallen leaves and glistening off the tall grass. The spider webs that kept stringing themselves across my face were now visible and avoidable. I was frozen there for a moment. The beauty was beyond me, It engulfed me and I was lost in its brilliance.
I must have stood there a good two or three minutes. The whole time I was thinking, wow, God gave me all of this. He wanted me to get up early and come here for this reason. There was a message of patience I needed for today. I think he was setting me up for something greater today. I didn't find out til later what it was he wanted me to do, but I knew when it happened that this was the reason. The lord truly does work in mysterious ways.
I finished my run with a song in my heart and a bounce in my step. In one hour I had done a little under 5 miles. My muscles ached and I was wet from dew and sweat. I think I smelled like I had been running through the dessert, naked, with out deodorant for 5 days.Dave told me not to run in the woods. That I would fall and break my leg, but I am pretty sure that God had my back this morning. He had bigger plans for me today.
I like being an instrument of God. I like doing his work and helping others. I think that he puts us in certain places at certain times for certain reasons. I am learning not to second guess things as much. A wrong turn or slower traffic or choosing to go to one place over another. You never know if around that next curve there is someone waiting for you.
Well I am getting a little chatty and I think it is time to go. So I am going to offer a prayer here.
Dear God, Thank You for today. Thank You for the wonderful people in my life. I am so very blessed to have them. Thank You for bringing me out and showing me all the beauty around me. Some days I take for granted the sun rising and setting. Thank You for another year with my family and friends. God please be with Marge Pearson and her family while they deal with her latest health crisis. Please help them to make the best decisions for her. Please be with my Friend Carrie whose Grandma passed on the 12th. I know she is with You now. Also be with Sandee as she continues to morn the loss of her mom. In Your name we pray. Amen
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