I am a Jesus follower, wanna see my picture?
I like to run.
Yup it’s weird and true.
I am not a long distance
runner nor am I really fast. I am new
to the running world, but I am on my 3rd pair
of running shoes, having worn out the other two. Each new pair reminds me that I am still in it.
When you enter and run a race part of your entry fee
goes towards a professional photographer who takes your picture as you round a
particular corner or two. I like to imagine I look fabulous. I picture my hair
is in place and my shirt and shorts are hanging just right covering all the
right spots. I want everyone to see that
my new shoes are the latest and very best for the race. And most importantly I
hope my form is just perfect for the optimal speed and distance I am running. I
also imagine I am smiling and the sweat is glistening on my forehead. My
expectation is that I look like this.
I was talking to a friend the other day and we were
laughing at our real life photos from races. She ran a half marathon a year or
so ago and her photos were a little less than flattering. I never had the nerve
to look at mine from my 5k. The truth is when you tell someone that you ran a
5k or half marathon 99% Say “Oh wow that’s
great! Good for you” Some ask about your time but never once has anyone asked to see a picture
or how I looked running the race.
Life is hard. It’s a marathon of marathons I think. I
am tired sometimes. Today I am. I am also sad, my heart aches and is broken, and
I am lonely and wish some things were different. I would like to think I look
good though, through this rough patch. That if a photo was taken of my walk with Jesus you would see a perfect stride just right
for the speed and distance I am running, that you would say “Wow look at her! Let’s put her on the front of the “Christian’s World” magazine, with her smiling happy face.”
The truth is I look more like this
And you know what? I am so very grateful I do. I
have a Jesus who
loves me so much HE won’t let me go! HE won’t let me run alone. HE is right
beside me and HE gave me amazing brothers and sisters to run with me…sometimes
carrying me.
