I've heard a song -- "I SAW GOD TODAY" -- somewhere in the recesses of my mind on a radio station somewhere! Yet, today -- I saw God through the beauty of a day, in the eyes of a teenager, and through every step I took on my third long run in as many days.
We are on spring break at the beaches of South Walton County, FL along beautiful Highway 30A. Today was a post card type of a day. Today was a picture that you put on a magazine cover kind of day. Today was a chamber of commerce commercial day. The sky was my favorite color. It was a cobalt blue sky day. The sun was warm on my skin but the cool breeze still refreshed. The water of the Gulf of Mexico was blue and green and mixtures of the two! It was the kind of day that makes me want it to stay this way! I saw God today in the beauty of His creation!
As I ran on the path of Highway 30A, a group of teenagers came by me on bikes. Obviously on spring break, they seemed to be having a great time. There must have been 8 or 10 of them and all of them spoke as they went by. "Good day! How are you today!" Well mannered kids -- but the last two stopped as they went by me. And, one of them said, "Hey, I really love your shirt! Philippians 4:13 is my favorite verse because I think that I really can do anything with His strength."
I stopped my GPS watch and talked to them for a moment. The others waited patiently as we talked. I told this young man that I appreciated his boldness -- his love of the Lord -- for being unashamed! He asked me about TEAM 413 and I shared the information and website with him. He was very interested and said he would check it out. Then, they started to leave and he turned to me and said, "God bless you and have a great day!" My response -- "He just did and I will!" This young man was most likely 15 or 16 years old. I wish that I could talk to his mom and dad because I know that they must be proud of such a fine son. The bottom line -- I saw God in the eyes and words of a young man who has been raised right! God bless you, Michael!
Three days of long runs in a row can seem almost insurmountable. But, God gave me the strength to finish the drill as I prepare for GRACERUNNER JOURNEY. He opened the windows to my soul and shared glimpses of His goodness and grace all along my path. He showed me the hardships that will come, things that I need to deal with, and how my training is paying off. He uncovered many things for me today and many of them had nothing to do with running at all. I saw God today in so many different ways during my sojourn along the Florida Panhandle and I can't wait to see how He shows up to teach me new lessons in the days and weeks ahead.
As I ran on the path of Highway 30A, a group of teenagers came by me on bikes. Obviously on spring break, they seemed to be having a great time. There must have been 8 or 10 of them and all of them spoke as they went by. "Good day! How are you today!" Well mannered kids -- but the last two stopped as they went by me. And, one of them said, "Hey, I really love your shirt! Philippians 4:13 is my favorite verse because I think that I really can do anything with His strength."
I stopped my GPS watch and talked to them for a moment. The others waited patiently as we talked. I told this young man that I appreciated his boldness -- his love of the Lord -- for being unashamed! He asked me about TEAM 413 and I shared the information and website with him. He was very interested and said he would check it out. Then, they started to leave and he turned to me and said, "God bless you and have a great day!" My response -- "He just did and I will!" This young man was most likely 15 or 16 years old. I wish that I could talk to his mom and dad because I know that they must be proud of such a fine son. The bottom line -- I saw God in the eyes and words of a young man who has been raised right! God bless you, Michael!
Three days of long runs in a row can seem almost insurmountable. But, God gave me the strength to finish the drill as I prepare for GRACERUNNER JOURNEY. He opened the windows to my soul and shared glimpses of His goodness and grace all along my path. He showed me the hardships that will come, things that I need to deal with, and how my training is paying off. He uncovered many things for me today and many of them had nothing to do with running at all. I saw God today in so many different ways during my sojourn along the Florida Panhandle and I can't wait to see how He shows up to teach me new lessons in the days and weeks ahead.
Get on board with us folks -- It's going to be a great adventure!
Under HIS Grace...
Chris
That is so awesome, Mr. Chris! I love it when teenagers (especially) are so open and bold about their relationship with Christ! Love the picture! Looks like a beautiful run!! :0)
ReplyDelete--Karen <><
We can always see God if our eyes are open to Him in all things. Beautiful picture, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete