I had the opportunity this week to run outside of my usual Small Town. I love running out of town if I can find a good place! We were in Salem, OR to attend our Nephew's graduation (Yay, Erich!).
After the Domestic Violence Awareness 5K I raced in October, I had been wanting a chance to get back to explore Minto-Brown park and its many trails.
(Photo from Google)
I took off on a paved trail and took a turn onto a soft dirt one. The first 4 miles were on dirt, bark and gravel. My average pace was well below my usual easy pace..But I think that is to be expected for trails, so I relaxed and just ran and enjoyed the sounds of birds, the new views and the excitement of what or who might be around the next turn.
After passing a lily pad pond, I thought I 'd circle back to my car to get my camera, but the batteries were dead. Oops!
(photo from Google)
I ran through a moss-covered orchard, trying to guess what fruit the trees might bear- thinking it might be hazel nuts. It turns out that they were cherry trees...with no fruit and badly needing a pruning job.
At mile nine I headed back to the car to stretch, with many more park-goers there to nod at. Lovely place. I can't wait to go again!
Faith stuff
If you read here regularly, you might have noticed that I haven't written much on my faith recently. If you don't read my blog for the faith posts, don't feel obligated today.
It's not that I haven't been thinking about my faith, just that I have been struggling a bit of late. Sometimes there is a lot I'd like to write, but either no time to write it, or I just feel like it might make me look like a hypocrite. The last thing I'd want to do is put shame on my savior, and by even writing this, I wonder if I am. But on the other hand, maybe if I can be honest, it might help someone else in their faith walk.
Satan is very tricky and he knows my weaknesses. Lately he has tried to convince me that I am worthless, and not really saved. This should make me want to draw closer to the Lord, but really, I have just tried to hide, spending more time focusing on running (where I feel like I can succeed) and less on my spiritual and other personal growth. But when I am running, He speaks to me and cuts away at the shell I'd like to keep my heart in. A few times in the last month, I have stopped mid run, due to a sudden outburst of sobbing- sometimes out of frustration, sometimes because I know he is telling me everything is going to be OK...and to just trust Him.
Thankfully God does not see me as worthless (nor does He see you that way- if you are reading this, and this is your situation too.). He still reaches down to pull me out of the cave I would hide in. Music draws me back to Him. A new song with great lyrics, or just an intense melody with simple words, says the right thing at the right time.
Romans 8:1-2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.