running

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This Challenge Has Not Been An Easy One

I’m realizing that my challenge is really becoming a challenge for me.

this challenge has not been an easy one

Not that long ago someone said something to me that I took as a challenge. 

There have been many times in my life that I have felt pressured to respond to someone’s comments, suggestions, or commands. Sometimes I’ve even taken a challenge that wasn’t really there. 

In college I liked this girl. She didn’t care two hoots about me but that didn’t stop me from trying. 

We were talking one day and she expressed her disappointment that she had no one to run with in a 10 kilometre race the school was putting on. I quickly took on the challenge. Well, there was really no challenge from her. It was me challenging myself to do something stupid for someone I kind of liked.

I said to her, “I’ll run with you” and that was that. 

It was no big deal … except for the fact that I had never run 10 k in my life. In fact, I’d never run 5 k. I’m basically not a runner.

The race was coming up soon, so the week before I thought maybe I should train a little. I decided to go with a group who was doing a 5 k run. 

Being in my twenties so I figured I was pretty invincible. I guess my feet weren’t prepared for all that pounding because after that 5k my right foot was sore. My foot felt like something was out of place. For the next week I had to walk on the side of my foot. 

By race time, it was still really sore. But I wasn’t about to back away from a challenge, even if it was for a girl who didn’t really like me all that much. 

Oh, I ran the race and completed it. It was the first and only time I ran 10K. And no, I didn’t get the girl … turned out my roommate eventual did.

That was long, long ago and a tough challenge. I’m facing one now that is tough in another way. 

I was doing a chapel with the Kingston Frontenacs hockey team and the topic of lent came up. Some of the guys were talking about what they were or were not going to do during lent. 

Then one of them asked me, “Paul, what are you going to do for Lent?” 

“Well,” I said, “I don’t usually do anything, but I’ll think of something and do it this year.”

What I came up with was to cut out social media until Easter – that means no Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

I didn’t think it was that tough because I’m not a real social media junky, but it’s been a bit more challenging than I expected. 

As I look at my Facebook app icon, there is a red number beside it: 101 and counting – that’s the number of notifications and requests I have not seen. 

I also get emails letting me know that someone has posted something. There is always an urge to check that out. 

So far I’ve remained strong. But this challenge has been challenging. 

Here’s the thing: A challenge shouldn’t be easy; it should cost you something. God has challenged us to draw close to Him. If we do, He promises to draw close to us. So what are you specifically doing on a daily basis to take up God’s challenge to get to know Him better? That might be a tough challenge, but it’s worth it. 

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: What is the greatest challenge you face today? Leave your comments and questions below.

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Running Shoes Don’t Last Forever

I guess the life expectancy of my running shoes had reached its limit and then some.

I can’t remember when I bought them, but I do remember buying a pair about 22 years ago. I can’t say for sure that the runners I have now are those, but let’s just say I’ve had this pair for a very, very long time.

There was a time when I would go through a pair of running shoes every year. They were my go-to, every day shoes.

Since then I find I don’t run very much, so they just stay in the closet, collecting dust until I go on my treadmill or rowing machine. … I guess that’s why I’ve been able to keep them so long.

This year though, I decided to play baseball, so out came my trusty running shoes.

I wore them every Monday this spring and summer, but these shoes will never feel my feet inside them again.

Last Monday they simply disintegrated. I don’t know why they chose this past week to break down and I don’t know why they blew up all at once instead of gradually.

When I put them on before ball, they seemed to be in really good shape. I had no thoughts of needing to replace them this year at all.

The only thing I can think of is that the infield was made of red clay and was pretty wet … and we were just taking batting practice.

The pattern was to hit 10 balls, take a break while another guy hit ten, and then hit another 10 balls.

It might have been a combination of things, including extended time in the batter’s box dragging my toe through the wet clay as I swung through the pitch.

For the first 10 balls, I decided to hit right-handed. I noticed that a bunch of clay had gotten up inside the tread on one shoe.

For the next ten, I decided to hit my natural way – left-handed – and this time it was the other shoe that filled up with clay under the tread.

I then took my turn fielding balls.

By the time I finished my next at bat, the soles of my shoes were flapping like the tongue of a big old dog who’d just finished slurping down his dinner meal.

I walked back to my car feeling like I was wearing clown shoes! It was such an odd feeling.

The shoes were done, finished, not even good enough to cut the grass in.

Last night I went out looking for a new pair of running shoes. Cross trainers seem to be the type of shoe best suited to my activities. … $100 later and I’m ready for baseball next week.

Here’s the thing: In life, most of the time, we manage just fine. We even handle struggles with not too much sweat. But every once in a while the wheels fall off, the shoes disintegrate, life blows up in our face. This happens when we are least expecting it, usually when we are not ready for it. If you’re not in the habit of turning to God, you can really find yourself lost, floundering, panicked. Begin a relationship with God today – if you haven’t done so already – because He can put your life back together.

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: What unexpected thing has blown up in front of you? Leave your comments below.