I was running.....

Well, here we are.  Sweaty and red faced.  I posted previously that I was in training for my first ever 5k, and although our time was not exactly stellar, it was pretty good for first timers.  We finished together at exactly 0:47:06. Keep in mind that my training never went past 2 miles and most of my training in the last 3 weeks had been railroaded. 

 I am sure that the temperature was the highest we have experienced so far this year.  We were told to expect the 80's, but out on that pavement, it surely felt like the 90's.  The course was a nice, relatively flat course, not many slopes.  At mile 2 and 3 there were large signs marking our progress and from the 3rd mile marker, you could see the finish line!!  I was ever so happy to see marker #2 and even more overjoyed when I could see the finish line in the distance!!

My friend Kelly made the run more worthwhile, and frankly If she had not been there I probably would have just walked the whole last mile.  If I had run the race alone with just me and my ipod, I am confident that the end result would have been different.  There is spiritual significance here. 

 Although, we have divinely been given a race to run, there always is and was someone else who is running a similar race.  There will always be someone else who "understands" your circumstance.    There is a reason that scripture supports fellowship, both fellowship with other believers and with Christ.  During the 5k, there was certainly some pain, but there was more importantly sweet fellowship and support........it was a good run.

Please be watching for a post from Kelly.  She has a great blog with lots of insight and some funny stories.   You can find her on my sidebar at 'Where's the Beef?'.

Walk, run, walk, run.......

I have been on a short  computer break.  Except for basic emails, I have avoided all things computer.  For the past three weeks, my household has been plagued by illness.  Rhinovirus, sinus infections, DOUBLE ear infections, bronchitis,  fevers, fatigue etc.  We are all three now on antibiotics. 

I feel better.  The baby is better.  Now my hubby is sick.  He went off to drill this past weekend, and of course came home ill.  

As I reflect on the last few weeks, I feel rather manic. I have roller coasted all over the spectrum.   I have been distracted,  flaky, dazed, irritable, even dizzy.  I have been chilled and sweaty.  I have been nauseated(antibiotic) and starving.   My recliner is worn where I feel like I atrophied away. I did lose a few pounds.  Chores were skipped.  Naps were plentiful.  Yesterday, I was finally energized enough to clean.  And clean I did!  Furiously! I'm still cleaning today.  Like I said, very manic.  

I even went running today, sorta......My first 5k is coming up this Saturday.  FIRST ever.  I have been training for this run since January. Obviously I haven't been running in three weeks.   I have started over on the training at least three times.  Illness, travel, weather.....those are all my excuses.  While sitting in my recliner with my big blanket watching my muscles disappear , it was easy to be discouraged by the turn of events.  So easy in fact, that I briefly entertained the idea to skip the run and just waste my $25 that I already paid.  What?!!  I couldn't do that!!   Could I? Of course not!!

I say all this (whine and cheese), in order to say, that while I was sick, I was thinking.  I'm always thinking.  I was thinking about Paul in prison, about the disciples in the days after Jesus was crucified, about the conditions they must have lived in.  I was thinking about their "races". I was thinking about Moses.  I was thinking about perseverance even when you know how the race is going to end.  I was thinking about my running water and my fridge and  my modern day conveniences.  I was even thinking about the miracle of antibiotics.  Does any of this make any sense?  I don't know, But I will finish the race.  I will find joy in the running.  I will be thankful for my circumstances.  I will walk a little, run a little, walk, run, walk, run........all the way to the end.  I will finish and when my race is completed, I will be different.  

Easter thoughts...

This perhaps was one of the oddest Easter Weekends.  Saturday felt like Sunday.  We went to church for a youth pancake breakfast (fundraiser) and an egg hunt.  The rest of the day I was plagued with the urgent need to take a nap (or naps), which I usually reserve for Sunday afternoon.  The cubs have started their baseball season, so you can guess what channel our tv stayed on all weekend!!  I love to watch Cubs baseball, but the drone of the crowd puts me out! Perfect napping conditions....

On Sunday, the baby had a fever that I thought we were finished with!!  It is not wise to close up a child in a nursery with a fever and lots of other little children, so I left my husband at home with the baby  and attended Sunday Easter service  on my own.  I also had some nursery duties to take care of.  During my 30 minute drive, I listened to worship music and praised the Lord for what Easter really means.  I enjoyed my ride alone in the car, and the springtime scenery along the way.  I thought about the cross, and about my savior and what must His scenery have looked like.  This is all in sharp contrast to the phone calls my husband was getting all weekend.  I don't like it when he is on call.  There is "lostness"  behind these calls.  The phone rings at  strange hours and it is usually not good.  There is sleep lost and then usually a discussion about people who can't be nice to one another.  About the evil that exists just over the hill so to speak, and about how law enforcement and others who work the long night hours even on Easter weekend.  My husband appreciates these guys on the frontline.  They usually go without thanks and they miss out on time with their families.   I mean really, is it wise to commit crimes on a holiday? 

 

 Lostness.....it is the reason Jesus came afterall.  It is the reason for the cross.  Do the prayers I utter for the families behind these phone calls really help?  Although at times the task at hand seems despairingly without hope,  I know different.  I know that lostness is conquered one heart at a time.  I know Jesus came for all of us and I know that I  have a job to do.  

So, I enjoyed my drive home alone and I thought about all the folks at church honoring the Lord with their Easter finery and the beautiful music and about the folks who went down front after the sermon for a profession of faith and baptism!  I thought about how the Holy Spirit stirs around the room in ways I can't even imagine, amongst hearts and heads, and how even my few tired thoughts of despair for the lost cannot stop His power.  I know that there were distracted hearts there yesterday who most likely did not hear anything, but I also know that there were a few, including my own, who sat humbled at the foot of the cross, even for just a moment. 

He is risen!  He is risen indeed!

Tuesdays Together

Welcome to Tuesdays Together in the Word.  We are a group reading the bible together and sharing each week the nuggets that the Lord's Word has left with us.  Join in with us, wherever you are.  Please  visit DeeDee for more Tuesday Together posts!!

I felt as if I was visiting with an old familiar friend while reading the Psalms from our reading list.   It has only been a month since I posted about a heartfelt step into Psalm 34.  A few of you have read it, but if you have not and wish to take a quick peek, please visit here.

Recycling is always good, but I wanted to share something new from this week as well. It is from Mark chapter 3.

Verses 1-6

 Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there.  Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.  Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone."  Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?  But they remained silent.  

He (Jesus) looked around at them in anger and , deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand."  He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.  

Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

We don't pay much attention to this man mentioned here.  This man with the shriveled hand.  Who was he?  He braved the crowds and went to the synagogue.  Did he go there to wait on Jesus?  Scripture just says he was just "there".  Had he heard all the stories about this man called Jesus?   What must it have been like to witness Jesus, the SON of God looking around in "anger" and "distress"?  And then to have him tell YOU to "stand up" and make a point to the stubborn Pharisees using your ailment?  Whoa!!  When angry Jesus tells you to "stretch out your hand" you had better stretch out your hand!!  But then there IS an implied faith here.  He stretched out his hand on the Sabbath because there was authority in the voice that told him to do so, the voice that heals.  He stretched out his hand because he was incomplete.  He stretched out his hand because he BELIEVED that Jesus could help him, even if it meant being on the Pharisees list.  He stretched out his hand in obedience and HOPE.  It was HIS moment, and in that moment, that singular moment,  there can be found a life-changing obedience, hope, and restoration!  As far as I know, we don't hear anything else about this man with the shriveled up hand.  Did he take his restored hand out into the world and proclaim the good news?  I hope so.  He really makes me think......  Did you notice that the scripture never even mentions Jesus physically touching the man? We assume that he did, but could it have been even simpler than that?   When was the last time you stood up, stretched out, obeyed and experienced life changing Jesus?  .........just something to chew on......I know I need to......

Thankful Thursday

I'm not feeling well.  I thought I was fighting off a sinus infection, but when I woke up this morning at 3 am with a fever of 103, I was convinced I had the flu.  I haven't had the flu in a decade or so.  I'm a nurse, so my immune system is rock solid!! :)  Anyway, now that my eyes are uncrossing (from the headache) and I'm feeling some better, I thought I would post a little thankfulness.  I'm still not sure if it's the flu or not, might be a rhinovirus, but it definitely seems to be viral--you know how we nurses are about diagnosing ourselves!lol

I am thankful for....

...being forced to slow down a bit.  I really needed it.

...managers who care about me and understand when I call in sick, which I rarely ever do.

...the small burst of "feel better" that allowed me to get a load in the washer and the bed made.

...a sweet hubby who took care of the baby all by himself this morning.

...for simple things like naps, tylenol, zyrtecD, sprite, gatorade, a big blanket, and  Cosby Show reruns!!

...for my Lord and Savior, who heals the sick (Mark 2- my scripture reading for today)

...for the GOOD news we received while having our taxes done this week.  Amazing!

...for answers to prayers!!

AMEN

May you find yourself thankful for the simple things, and the amazing ones as well!!

For more TT posts, visit Laurie

Wordless Wednesday