You may already know that I’m a bit of a runner. Not a serious runner – you know those kinds – they have perfect form, never stop to walk uphill and appear to be light and effortless in their pace. Nope, my running is heavy-footed and painstaking. I stop to walk as soon as I sense the slightest incline in the road and I pant heavily the entire time.
Maybe one day I’ll be a “real” runner.
Until then, I guess I’ll keep doing the best I can. . . and the best I can do right now is walk. You heard me. I’m a walker now instead of a jogger. A knee injury has kept me from putting the kind of pressure on my joints that jogging demands so I’ve turned to walking at a fast pace. I’ll admit that I felt a bit dejected when I realized that running would have to take a back seat in my regimen. It’s been my go-to exercise for the past 9 years.
But now I walk.
I’ve gotta tell you, I’m starting to get addicted to my new favorite exercise. It’s still a great workout without all of the “I-can’t-wait-until-this-is-over” feeling that I have sometimes when I run. When I walk I can actually enjoy the scenery around me, take in the fresh scent of the morning and. . .for the first time in my exercising life. . .listen to a great podcast or worship to uplifting music.
Only serious runners can run and worship at the same time. I’ve had a few stints when I’ve been able to pull it off, but most of the time I’m too focused on frantically trying to catch my breath to talk to Jesus – about anything other than helping me not to die . . . from lack of oxygen. . . .out here on this road. . . while running up this steep, never ending incline.
So, this walking time has become a sweet time for me – a time to really reflect and listen. It has been a cleansing time that I’ve been enjoying. I know it’s an unconventional way to have a quiet time but it’s working for me right now.How have you been spending time with God lately?Priscilla
