Wednesday, June 29, 2011

A gift in this year: Running.


I love running.

So much.

With friends, or alone.

I love the rhythm of my feet hitting the ground.

I love how connected I feel with my body- how aware of it and grateful for it I am, as I feel my heart beating, as I intentionally take each breath, as I am aware of my muscles and my contact with the ground beneath me.

I love the beauty of the scenes I usually run- along the prairie path, or past families in houses.

I love how it makes me feel more connected with where I live- running these streets, paths, and neighborhoods has helped me inhabit Wheaton this year.

I love the alone time with God, I love being in nature, I love clearing my head.

Running was a huge, joyful part of my year.


The prairie path on an after-work run a couple weeks ago.

"...When I ran, when I walked, there was no time: there was only my body, my breath, the trees and hills and sky... I always felt grateful, but I did not know it was gratitude and so I never thanked God. Eight years ago, on a starlight night in July, a car hit me... and in September a surgeon cut off my left leg...
It is now time to sing of my gratitude: for legs and hills and trees and seasons... I mourn this, and I sing in gratitude for loving this, and in gratitude for all the roads I ran on and walked on, for the hills I climbed and descended, for trees and grass and sky, and for being spared losing running and walking sooner than I did: ten years sooner, or eight seasons, or three; or one day.”
 
-Andre Dubus, Meditations from a Movable Chair (HT)


Thanking God for giving me the ability to run this year.

.23.

1 comment:

Heidi said...

Oh my gosh, I love running so much too! I find it sooo soothing, like you can just forget all your problems an just run, escape from all the worries in life and just worry about finishing the next mile. :)

Human Needs Global Resources Covenant, 2009

As fellow travelers on this journey, we commit to this covenant before God. Lord, in Your mercy, hear these our prayers:

When confronted with scarcity, need, and inadequacy, may we be nourished by the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. Abundance overflows from Your table, sustaining all who come in faith. Father, help us.

When monotony blurs our vision and dulls our senses, may we encounter others as Christ did, through intentional presence in daily life, submitting as clay to be formed into vessels filled with the Spirit. Christ, guide us.

When wounded by the fractured condition of Your people, may we be united by Your Lordship in faith, hope, and love; seeing, as through the facets of a diamond, the beautiful spectrum of Your light reflected onto Your holy Church joined in praise. Spirit, empower us.

When all Creation groans, afflicted by injustice and driven to despair, may the promise of redemption root us in the hope of Your Kingdom: "Behold, I am making all things new!"

Holy Trinity, send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve You with gladness and singleness of heart.

Amen.