Running and Race Readiness

I had a good run yesterday in spite of the hot and humid weather. Fortunately, there was a good breeze in the air. I got in my 3 miles and will now rest until Tuesday a.m. for the 5K.

Since I do not know how the course will be, my plan is to start out nice and steady, not thinking about all the other runners around me. Sometimes it helps to just imagine I'm on my own home course. It helps to settle down those race day jitters. My goal is to remain focused, calm and remember just to have a good fun run. I would like to do my personal best, but I don't feel too competitive about it. I will be happy with anything under 27:30.

I have been feeling very good in the physical sense and I am so grateful for that. I am not taking anything for granted. I feel good. No health issues at present and I am sooooo very grateful.

In the spiritual sense, God's presence has been abundant, His grace ever sufficient. His Word has been alive to me. It is interesting to notice or map out the ups and downs of one's Christian pilgrimage. I certainly had a valley time a couple of months ago. It was difficult, but it's as if those valley times, where weeping lasts for the night, make those times, when joy comes in the morning, much more pronounced and alive. The valley hides God's presence even though He isn't hidden. You grope in the darkness and the showers of your own tears and feel that God is far away. It isn't a pleasant feeling. Your emotional and vulnerable to things that cause your mind to dwell on falsehoods. But somehow you stay the course, you weather the storm, you persevere through the valley and before you know it you have reached a glorious summit and you see God absolutely everywhere. It causes you to appreciate the valleys because somehow it does a good work for your faith.

I am up and running - physically and spiritually. Am I ready for a race? You bet I am. Because God has been at work in my soul!