Cheerleaders

There is something profoundly spiritual about running. This is not a new discovery, but I just keep seeing why Paul and the apostles would liken our spiritual journey to any sort of sport that causes you to physically push your "known" limits. Last weeks run was SPECTACULAR! Tacoma's Bridge, beautiful scenery, felt great. It seemed so easy. I thought "WOW! I am finally getting this thing down." This week ~ not so easy! First off, my running partner, Donna, has had this perpetual injury plaguing her and it flared it's ugly head, so she pulled out of today's run to rest and recover. WISE DECISION. God always provides though. He sent my little buddy Issac and gramma Gloria to run with me for the first mile or so (though Issac was on wheels ~ which I was wishing for toward the end of my run). Then they sent me on my way, only to surprise me and show up at the first waterstop...cheering and shouting encouragments. I needed that, because during that next two miles between when they turned off and when I saw them again I was not doing so well. I was having those old leg cramps again and walking more than I wanted to be/should have been. I would ignore the beeping of my watch telling me it was time to run again, but when I saw that curly head of encouragment bouncing half a mile a way, cheering me on ~ SUDDENLY, I had energy again! I ran pretty fast down to where they were waiting. HOW AMAZING! So spiritually speaking...some of us start the journey with a team, but as we find our own pace, we may hook up with someone of the same pace; but then God calls them elsewhere to minister to another and we are left on our own again...wondering why God would take away our teammate at the time we think we need them most. But our Father knows what we need. He sends along cheerleaders along the way...AT THE VERY MOMENT WE NEED THEM. It is truly amazing what a smile and a cheer can do for the soul. I had energy to keep running again. AND that slight rest period allowed my legs to uncramp, making the way easier to navigate.

Still alone on the journey, but seeing teammates coming back on their way "home" to the finish line. Their journey is almost over. They are much faster than I am, and only have half the distance to travel, but as they pass you by...they are also cheerleaders. I cheer them on for their efforts, and they return the favor with smiles and high fives...good jobs and way to go. What a gift! Now I have a bit more energy to keep on. Then our coach find me on the way. She leaves the two she is with to hook up with me and run with me the rest of the way. Coaches don't like to see anyone travel the course alone. Jesus is like that, except that He is always with us, but sometimes we forget that He is there. Sometimes He lets us run alone so that we will learn that there is more depth to us than we thought. How much will we persevere?? Gambatte!

Well, that ends my profoundly ordinary thoughts for today. I feel that I have not conveyed well what I learned today, but I have to get a shower and rinse off all this salt that I have sweated out today before I head of to work. Perhaps, later I will be able to say better what I am feeling and learning. After it digests a bit more. For now I will just say ~ I LOVE CHEERLEADERS!!!! Thank you Father for the cheerleaders you send along the way. If you have never been a cheerleader before ~ GO BE ONE!!! They are VERY important along this journey of life.

You are now free to move about the cabin. Have fun.
Eryn