Don't Get Cocky

I hope this doesn't sound like an emotional rollercoaster blog after my blog yesterday about the endorphin stage, but this is a reminder for me to keep close, and it may help you as well. I have a close friend who just graduated from a Masters' program, and has been wanting to hike the Appalachian Trail for years. Well this is a 2,000+ mile trail from Maine to Georgia, with very tough terrain. It takes people an average of 6 months to complete the whole thing. And this guy is in his early 30s, in great shape, knows how to live outdoors over time, etc. He was going to hike this trail in order to try to figure out what he wanted to do with the rest of his life, hopefully get a vision (like the Indians did) as to what his future held. He was fully invested in this trip as the turning point for the rest of his life. Well, he went to Maine, started it a couple of days ago, and tripped on a tree root and really messed up his knee. He's on the way home, and doesn't know what is going to happen (surgery, etc.). I found out last night at church, and I cried through the whole service. I could feel what he must feel right now, knowing it's over, at least for now. I feel so horrible for him, and at the same time I think that is what I'd feel like if I was unable to follow through with this marathon.

This gives us two lessons: first, for those of you who are struggling with ailments, illness or pain in various areas, know that there is a tomorrow. There WILL BE time for you to get there this year, and if not this year, then in January, or next October. Do not give up -- if this is your goal, make it happen. Stick to it. God gives us challenges for His own reasons, but He NEVER gives us more than we can handle.

Secondly, for those of us who are running along, feeling great right now, DON'T GET COCKY. It's weird that yesterday afternoon (before I found out about my friend), I was just looking myself in the mirror, saying this very thing. Anything could happen. No matter how prepared you are, no matter how Lance Armstrongish you are, anything could happen. We are all here by the grace of God. So now my marathon rubber bracelet also serves as a reminder that I Am a Marathoner by the Grace of God, and not just a marathoner. So if you are feeling great, running like the wind, stop your mind long enough to appreciate it, thank God for it. Remember that in order to achieve this goal, you have to take care of your body, but also your mind and your heart and your spirit.

I believe there is a reason for everything that happens, and there is a reason that Jeremy can't complete the goal of his life right now. But his lesson applies to us too, that there WILL be a day when you can run like the wind. And from here on, I will be running for Jeremy as well as for me. His trail name is Angel, and I will be running with an Angel on my shoulder and in my heart.