Snow Faith

This morning the world was still covered from yesterday's snow. It was a cold, white, silent morning. Out there on a fence post amid the snow is a bird house I had put up in warmer time. A bluebird was busy bring sticks and stuff to the bird house; building a nest for the spring, making ready for the new birth with a faith that took little notice of the snow.

For me, it was a good lesson both in my faith walk and in my training. "We walk by faith and not by sight." We train by faith that the effort, the energy will bring us from our cocoons to be the butterflies God would have us be.

Oh for the faith of a bluebird.

Out of Control

Yesterday I tried swimming (the crawl) for the first time in a couple months and the first time since rotator cuff surgery six weeks to the day. It just happened. The head went under, the feet pushed off the wall of the pool and the rhythm of my prior life took over. No pain, no stiffness, I was more smooth than I thought I would be. Easy does it and after the first lap it sort of hit me; I am swimming, swimming well, without pain. Praise God !

The swim lasted for a quarter mile at a time which was about par for times prior to surgery. I was out of control. Went home and signed up for a triathlon to be held in two weeks. Thank you God !

The Journey Continues

Yesterday, I was released by the doctor. My recovery from rotator cuff surgery is far ahead of schedule. Today, I ran for the fist time in almost 2 months. Tentative at first, I went on to run 3 miles non-stop. My fast walking and indoor trainer recovery plan seems to have been right on. I had no idea being on the road would feel so good. Now I have a lot of building to do. But, it will all be fun and one big reason is that I have a new perspective on the true value to me of continuing the journey . I thank God for valleys and I thank Him for the mountains.
Maybe now I will be a better climber.

"---the substance of things hoped for"

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.Hebrews 11:1



There is snow and slush on the ground in the trees, on the roof. Cold has prevailed for days with no real end in sight. I am recovering from rotator cuff surgery and still cannot swim or run. In fact, I haven't swam or ran in almost two months.
That's the downside. (see todays snow picture)

I have decided to do a half Ironman in October. This morning with it cold and frosty outside, I am making the plans like it was tomorrow, and I was in excellent condition. I laugh at myself because I plan and go on like I am certain things will change. I am energized with a giddy hope as if I had already gone through the rigorous training, and the cold had already passed. I am an optimist. But more to the point and more importantly, I am a believer. In our walk with God Faith envisions a brighter day. "Hope is the substance of things hoped for," Hope itself is the evidence. Hope already knows. Perhaps, true Hope is complete Faith. As the saying goes, faith sees the mighty oak in the acorn. (see triathlon event photo) Praise God, I am a believer! My Hope for now and forever is with God alone. The world would say, "seeing is believing" but Hope says, "believing is seeing."

"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen; not only because I see it, but because by it, I see everything else." ----C. S. Lewis

Hard Workout

The off season is dwindling down; thank God ! Today I did a harder session on the indoor bike..oooh, it hurt! The mind and body can get so lazy. I found myself rationalizing and minimizing the need for an effort past the point of comfort. Coming back from the abys of surgery recovery and the off season, is going to take some work. My spirit will have to be renewed as my body will. Can it be done? Can I face the discomfort and pain? Yes ! There is just no other good alternative. What would I do and who would I be if I stayed in the safety and comfort of where I am now?

"I'd rather endure the pain of discipline, than the pain of regret."

The Year to End All Years

Two seasons ago I decided I was going to hit it hard, have a good year and if it were the "year to end all years" I would have that to savor as a great finish. Now as I pause in reflection contemplating the coming year, I find myself again wanting the same thing. It seems I haven't changed much, thank God; "still crazy after all these years." But there is smile on my face and the song of life in my heart. If that's crazy, then for goodness sake don't make me sane.

Website- All Things Work Together for Good

Finally, I have designed and published a site. It is small potatoes in the website business but it is mine and I hope to use it well.

http://www.ihfootsteps.com/

I have been at this for a couple years now and with the training and all, it has been difficult to devote the requisite time to doing this. With my meager amount of computer literacy and my old computer, it was also a lesson in patience. And, if I had not had all this down time with the rotator cuff surgery; if the weather had not been so cold and dreary, I would not have had the opportunity to complete this. There is a song that goes, " I thank God for the mountains. I thank God for the valleys. I thank God for all the trials He's brought me through." Oh yes, my site isn't that much and it is a work in progress. But that sort of describes myself as well.