I never regret the runs...

I woke this morning to cold.

I am not a big fan of cold.
at all.

But I woke.
(which is good)
and it was cold
(which is not good)

and it's a run day.

Here's the thing. I started running about a year ago. It changed a lot about me. I came to running as someone already familiar with exercise. I've used walking for fitness for a long time (walking upwards to 8 -10 miles daily)... but running... was different.

Running called on parts of my body that weren't used...
and it called on part of my endurance that had to be built...
and it called on parts of my determination that I didn't know existed.

And really, it seems almost and exaggeration...that running could pull from a part of me  so deeply.
but  it does.

So I woke.
and I ran.

I didn't enjoy any of it.

My hands were reddened by the cold.
The wind blew at my back, in my face and across my body.

My muscles warmed.

I ran.

and prayed.

I prayed for my friend that is in the middle of a lot of things...looking for a house, dealing with an uncle and brother , both with cancer...looking for answers.
I prayed for a friend that faced yet another recent surgery...and a friend recovering from surgery.
I prayed for a friend, whose brother-in-law is much too young to be facing the diagnosis that was given to him.
I prayed for my childhood friend's daughter...who is fighting , so hard, against a battle no child should face and gets a bone marrow transplant soon.

I didn't pray because I am super holy .
I prayed because I was cold.
And praying while I was running distracted me from the cold...the ache of my fingers...the sting of the wind.

I prayed because as my feet hit the pavement... my heart pumped... my breath pushed
and I needed a focus...

and my friends needed carried.

I ran today.
It was cold.
I didn't enjoy any of it.

I needed every moment of it.

and in the end.
when the run is done.
when the sweat pools...
and my thighs hurt...
as the shower washes away the evidence of the exertion...

I never, ever  regret the runs.

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus look full in His wonderful face

and the things of earth will grow strangely dim

in the light of His glory and grace."