Runnin' in the Rain, Just Runnin' in the Rain.....

Do y'all remember that wonderful Rogers and Hammerstein musical starring Bing Crosby? I loved to watch him dance! These movies--back then!--only came on Saturday and Sunday afternoons! None of this AMC stuff! We are some spoiled people!

Anyway, I needed to do a short run this morning, and by the time I had piddled around and finally laced up my Nike's, the rain had begun. Not much, but enough for a hat to keep it from stinging my eyes! As I began running, this song played through my head. I have sort of taken a leave of absence from running on a regular basis since the marathon in November. I wasn't training for anything in particular, so I didn't run any particular distances! Didn't need or want to! As I was asked to run with friends who at one time ran slower than I did, I was now seeing the benefits they were reaping of consistent training runs. These people were faster than me!!! Oh, I've had excuses, things to do--that could have waited, and of course, the cold frigid weather down here in the south!!

Sometimes, our spiritual lives get in a rut. We need to "spice things up a bit!" I'm not talking about reading your Bible while standing on your head!! I mean looking into new Bible Studies, taking a class on a particular book in the Bible, attending a retreat or ladies' conference. Something to light a fire under your feet again! We live in a time and place where so many opportunities are available to us throughout the year. No excuses!

Well, back to the morning jaunt in the rain. No ipod, just my Lord and me. I prayed about a new run coming up that I think I'd like to attempt. But it has to be His timing and His blessing on this! To some, that sounds crazy! You just pick a race and do it. But....submission is the key! I have signed up for some races in the past, and His blessings were not on these. Failure occurred. Oh, I have some tales to share! But another post!!! I now have learned to be in tune with Him and obey His timing. In the long run, it's for the best all around!

I am praying about a particular race in May, not too far from here. It's free!! The director simply asks for a donation to offset her snacks, prizes, and H2O bottles. This is something that fits in my budget! But, even so, I am going to pray about this over the weekend and see if I get any red flags from God. I would love to have your prayers as well...for wisdom and guidance...as I seek a peace from Him. Just a little background about the race and me....I love a challenge! I want to push my body and see just what it is capable of doing. Two years ago, some friends and I trained for longer races on trails in the woods. That's such an awesome place to be nearer to God! I get chills!! No cars, no sidewalks with cracks in them, no gum on the roads!! We'd spend hours and hours and hours training. Finally, the big day arrived. There were 5 of us. There was a time limit--people, running in the mountains in the dark is not my idea of fun and safety! Of the five, only 2 of the girls completed the entire distance. I wasn't one of them. I was pretty close, but not close enough. But God is good! I have a different outlook on running and life and priorities! Lots of lessons learned on the trail! I'll have to write a book one day!

I would like to try this race, called an ultra, to actually complete a longer distance and not be stopped because I was running--actually walking!--too slowly! That's a goal. But I have to make sure that it lines up with God's goal for me during this season of my life.

I thank you in advance for your prayers! Y'all are wonderful! Oh, and thank you SO SO much for the great decorating ideas from Wednesday's post! I want to use them all....but I can't! I promise to let you know what I decide!!!

Many Blessings,