Wednesday, July 28, 2010

I too have a goal in mind

"So often, I too, have a goal in mind, a vision of ministry to fulfill. But You, O God are Sovereign, I am employed for Your service and You maintain the right to alter my plans in whatever way You wish. Keep me alert to Your leading and attuned to Your purposes. Help me to be prepared in season and out of season, ready to do good works which you have prepared in advance for me to do."

I actually read this prayer back in December, but it's been playing in my mind for the past few days. The part that I'm stuck on is "You maintain the right to alter my plans..." I hate to admit it but I get stuck. I want things to go according to my plans...and they never do. As much as I try to control the situation, I'm never in control.

Just like in running, I have to deal with the weather...or the stress of my personal daily schedule, I need to learn to adapt and let each day come as it may. Training for my marathons truly have taught me to be dependent on God...for everything.

Returning from Travels

I hate to admit this but...my age is catching up to me. Once upon a time, I was always able to get back to normal after a length trip, but this time...a different story. I was in the Far East last week visiting and teaching classes in SafeTALK. I'm getting back to running this week, but very slowly. As I learned from the great running coach getting out and running easily will help. So yesterday, I got out and did a short 4 mile run. Today I'm going to try for a quick 2 miles and then on Thursday get out and do 6 miles. Friday off and then Saturday back to my running schedule for the Marine Corp Marathon...with a 2 hour run.

Running should be fun...so keeping things simple and easy is more important than training hard and risking injury and burn-out. So when you have stressful time at work or home...or if you traveling...give yourself a break and get away from you training schedule. When things get back to normal...then go back to the schedule.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Quick Update

My running this past week has been great. But now I'm off on a trip to the Far East...and I know my running will be way down. The thing is I will still try to get out on my running days even if it is just to run for about 10 minutes. We all have weeks where we can't train like we know we should...so the solution is try to do something.

So I'll share more when I return next week.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Grace

Grace is something that I think I know a lot about.  But the truth is I will never fully understand nor appreciate the true depth of what it really means.  Today I experienced it again.  I was busy with my work...trying to take care of the Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers who I see daily.  And I got an email with my evaluation from my commander with his and his commander's comments.  Grace came a knocking on my door.

Grace is a gift that comes not when it is desired or wanted, but when it is needed.  It can be as simple as someone saying to you...you did a good job.  And it can be as dramatic as the calm in the midst of a storm.  That email was the "...you're doing good."  We all want to know that what we are doing is appreciated and valued...and for me today that is what happened.  And it feels good.

But grace is something that I've learn doesn't come without some kind of struggle.  It falls on the soul like a gentle rain...but first there had to be a drought.  It comes as relief from the storms of life, but there has to be the storms.  Grace...it comes...but only after it seems too late.  Grace...it is a marvelous thing.

Grace is when you run your last step of a race...and the peace of God rains down upon your head.