Running Mad

The reason I was mad isn't really relevant, only that I was mad. Very mad. Now normally when I am mad I find my way to the kitchen open a bag of whatever and start to eat. I am usually stuffed long before the anger is gone and I am then angry that I ate so much and still angry about whatever it was in the first place. But this time I walked right past the kitchen and right out the door. And I kept walking. My body naturally pulled me into the woods and as soon as I passed that clearing I was gone. I found my anger was motivating. I ran til my heart was beating fast and the sweat was pouring off of me. I ran til the sound of my foot steps beat a steady rhythm. I ran til the anger was nothing more than a thought. I slowed down and caught my breath and started my conversation with God. I asked him to help take away the anger and to help me to find a solution to my problem. As I talked my heart became lighter and so did my step. I found my conversation with God was cut into small patches as I would take off through the woods.

Now it was already after 6 p.m. when I left my house and the night was beginning to fall while I was in the woods. What I didn't expect was the storm that was coming in. I had about a mile or so to go when the temperature dropped. One second I was warm and the next I knew something was about to happen. The wind picked up and the trees began to sway. I could hear the wind and I just prayed that it would hold off til I got out of there.

I know the woods pretty well. I have been going there for years and I know that paths. But when the clouds came through and the sky got dark, well I admit I was a little nervous. Making out the path was a hard. There was no running at this point, it was very careful walking. Roots jumped up and grabbed at my feet and I'll admit at one point I fell. I didn't panic though because I knew that God was with me and that I would make it through the woods alright.

I had maybe a quarter of a mile left when the rain started to fall. I could hear it on the leaves for about a moment before it hit me. I knew it was going to be a crazy storm so I just accepted it and kept on trekking. I finally made it out of the woods and into the rain. It only took seconds for me to get drenched. I was walking home smiling when I thought hmm, I could easily run here. So I did. I ran home. My anger was a thing of the past. God was washing away my frustrations.

I made it home a drowned rat. I stripped when I got in the laundry room, grabbed a clean towel and headed to my room. My family had no idea it was raining. They looked at me like I was nuts, walking through the house wet and dripping. Did I really sweat that much? I went to my room and threw on some clothes, knowing that no matter what the rest of the day had to offer I was alright because God was there to comfort me.

Time for a prayer.

Dear God, Thank You for today. Thank You for the wonderful people in my life. Thank You for loving me and washing away my frustration and anger. Thank You for giving me the strength and wisdom to know when to say something and what to say. God, please be with Kristen and her family as they mourn the sudden loss of her grandma. I know she will need your support and comfort. Please be with those who are suffering, wash away their pain and bring them comfort in your arms. In Your name we pray. Amen