I haven’t been posting about the runs - or prayer - or anything else lately. It’s peak writing season here at seminary, and I’m in the rather deep end of the pool at the moment. Turabian’s 7th Edition is my New Best Friend. (insert geeky grad school laugh here)
Celia came along on Thursday’s run. I wanted to make all kinds of excuses not to run, but convincing her to come along made it easier. Easier to get started, not to run! It’s fun to run with someone, and she is particularly encouraging. I managed to run all of the three minute run segments! She convinced me to try running in the reservation - which may be a spiritual experience but it was just plain impossible for me. Too steep. We came back out and finished on the easier slopes of city streets.
Sunday’s run was the last one of "week three" on the Couch to 5K program. Pretty sunny afternoon, but darn cold! Ran by myself, and this time managed to run ALL of the intervals! Woohoo! Go me! It’s still hard, but with Celia’s tips on paying attention to breathing and posture it was easier. No ankle pain, but it was obvious the shoes needed replacing.
We went to Marathon Sports, one of the best running supply places in Boston. I walked in, the guy looked at my shoes, and knew why we were there. He asked my size, went to the back and came out with two pairs of shoes. I didn’t even have to try to figure out the complicated displays, he just seemed to know what I needed. We did talk about how much I was running - he knew about the Couch to 5K program and was impressed that Celia is my "trainer".
So, now I have the most expensive pair of shoes I’ve ever owned. Pretty blue and white. I’ll report after Tuesday’s run how they are, and I’m sure the guy at the shop is right, anything will be more support than what I’ve been running in!
Meanwhile, there are the old ones. Can’t bear to part with them. Broke them in walking into town in Honduras with James. Climbed up Table Mountain with my mission team in Cape Town. I’m sentimental about my old broken down sneakers. Crazy!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
week three begins
Tuesday I went for the first run of week three. After Carol's wonderful encouragement, I thought I could tackle it. I almost did.
Week three is a five minute warm up walk like the previous two weeks, but the run intervals are very different. First a 90 second run followed by a 90 second recovery, then a three minute run.
Not much, you say?
It sounded like THREE IMPOSSIBLY LONG AND DIFFICULT MINUTES!!! to me. But I did the positive talk in my head and thought about Carol's encouragement and went for it. Managed to make it all except for the last 20 seconds of the first interval.
Then a three minute recovery walk, and another three minute run. During the second interval, I had to walk on the peak of the uphill - just about 15 seconds in the middle of the interval.
So...almost but not quite. We'll see how it goes on Thursday. It will be a welcome break from the high intensity writing I've been doing for two straight days.
Week three is a five minute warm up walk like the previous two weeks, but the run intervals are very different. First a 90 second run followed by a 90 second recovery, then a three minute run.
Not much, you say?
It sounded like THREE IMPOSSIBLY LONG AND DIFFICULT MINUTES!!! to me. But I did the positive talk in my head and thought about Carol's encouragement and went for it. Managed to make it all except for the last 20 seconds of the first interval.
Then a three minute recovery walk, and another three minute run. During the second interval, I had to walk on the peak of the uphill - just about 15 seconds in the middle of the interval.
So...almost but not quite. We'll see how it goes on Thursday. It will be a welcome break from the high intensity writing I've been doing for two straight days.
Monday, March 24, 2008
sun is shining brightly
Sunday was a beautiful day, clear skies and bright sun. I went for the last run of week two yesterday, and many random thoughts came to me. Nothing clear or logical. I'm hoping it will eventually come together.
First, I feel heavy when I run - not all over, just my legs. It's hard to focus when this feeling comes and takes over my brain.
Second, the importance of proper equipment. There is NO way I could be walking or running unless I had the warm gear developed by dedicated runners. And the shoes! I might need new shoes soon. I'm wondering if the shoes are part of my ankle issue.
Third, the ankles. It's so random but they hurt at least once during a run. Might be the first run interval, might be later. Sunday it was the fourth interval. It's rarely more than one interval. Weird.
Fourth, the fight. Some days it is SUCH a mental fight. Sunday was like that. I know that the reason I'm doing this is to not let my daughter down, but seriously... I'm NOT an athlete. Especially NOT a runner. This is hard work. I'm having trouble with this walking/running part of it - who am I kidding thinking I could ever run a marathon???? So much of Sunday's run was this dialogue in my head - why am I doing this? I can't do this? Who would know if I just walked instead of running?
Fifth, questions about use of the body. Now in my forties and struggling with this exercise, I began to wonder about how I used my body over the years. Taking it for granted, that sort of thing. After these thoughts, it was SO hard to complete just a 90 second run interval. The negative thought patterns really impact what the body can do.
Sixth, you have to really pay attention and plan. What is the weather like? Dress accordingly. Where are you going? Plan the route. What roads do you have to cross? What's the traffic like? Watch for cars pulling out or into driveways, watch for kids playing. Watch for cracks in the sidewalk. Watch for puddles or sticks or other dangers on the way.
You also have to pay attention to the body - have you eaten properly? Had enough water? Stretched out? Are you relaxed in your shoulders and arms? Pay attention to your breathing and heart rate.
Seventh, the world around you. The podcast for week two ended with a song to help you slow down, and the first two runs I didn't quite understand what the one line in the song was about. But yesterday, Easter Sunday, I got it. "Sun is shining brightly, it's such a great delight." In spite of the fight, in spite of the struggle, the sun was shining brightly and it was indeed, a great delight.
I might never make it beyond a 5k run with my daughters, but I am getting out of my comfort zone and expectations for myself and beginning to see what others think I'm capable of achieving.
First, I feel heavy when I run - not all over, just my legs. It's hard to focus when this feeling comes and takes over my brain.
Second, the importance of proper equipment. There is NO way I could be walking or running unless I had the warm gear developed by dedicated runners. And the shoes! I might need new shoes soon. I'm wondering if the shoes are part of my ankle issue.
Third, the ankles. It's so random but they hurt at least once during a run. Might be the first run interval, might be later. Sunday it was the fourth interval. It's rarely more than one interval. Weird.
Fourth, the fight. Some days it is SUCH a mental fight. Sunday was like that. I know that the reason I'm doing this is to not let my daughter down, but seriously... I'm NOT an athlete. Especially NOT a runner. This is hard work. I'm having trouble with this walking/running part of it - who am I kidding thinking I could ever run a marathon???? So much of Sunday's run was this dialogue in my head - why am I doing this? I can't do this? Who would know if I just walked instead of running?
Fifth, questions about use of the body. Now in my forties and struggling with this exercise, I began to wonder about how I used my body over the years. Taking it for granted, that sort of thing. After these thoughts, it was SO hard to complete just a 90 second run interval. The negative thought patterns really impact what the body can do.
Sixth, you have to really pay attention and plan. What is the weather like? Dress accordingly. Where are you going? Plan the route. What roads do you have to cross? What's the traffic like? Watch for cars pulling out or into driveways, watch for kids playing. Watch for cracks in the sidewalk. Watch for puddles or sticks or other dangers on the way.
You also have to pay attention to the body - have you eaten properly? Had enough water? Stretched out? Are you relaxed in your shoulders and arms? Pay attention to your breathing and heart rate.
Seventh, the world around you. The podcast for week two ended with a song to help you slow down, and the first two runs I didn't quite understand what the one line in the song was about. But yesterday, Easter Sunday, I got it. "Sun is shining brightly, it's such a great delight." In spite of the fight, in spite of the struggle, the sun was shining brightly and it was indeed, a great delight.
I might never make it beyond a 5k run with my daughters, but I am getting out of my comfort zone and expectations for myself and beginning to see what others think I'm capable of achieving.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Oh yeah...
I forgot to say yesterday that my leg is back to normal. Thanks to the stretches (thanks James!) and the ibuprofen (better living through chemicals) I'm all good.
Typical Saturday "mom taxi" stuff going on today, as well as the usual round of weekend chores. We'll stop off at the store for groceries and our Easter dinner menu. I've earned a free ham through points at the store, gotta love it!
Typical Saturday "mom taxi" stuff going on today, as well as the usual round of weekend chores. We'll stop off at the store for groceries and our Easter dinner menu. I've earned a free ham through points at the store, gotta love it!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Blustery day
John 3:7-8 "You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
The wind has been blowing very hard now for a day and a half. It's spring time, still quite cold and with a wind to chill your bones. In spite of the cold temperatures, the bulb flowers are pushing up their green leaves and the trees are all budding.
Tonight is Good Friday - not a night for pondering spring time and new growth. But I went for a run this afternoon, out in the wind, and in being pushed around by the wind as well as focusing on my breath, the scripture from John came to mind.
The wind blows where it will - you hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. The Hebrew word for wind is also used for Spirit and breath. The wind that was pushing me around came in swirls and great gusts. No consistency, mostly from one direction but then a swoosh of leaves and sand would come around from the other direction.
God's beautiful creation includes more than just the glories of spring time. God's beautiful creation includes this body, how it's put together just so for walking and running, bending and stretching. It's amazing how all the different intricate parts work together - breathing in oxygen (from those trees) which is then transferred to the blood, then carried throughout the body in miles of vessels so that the muscles can keep moving, and then carbon dioxide is carried back out of the body via the same system (for those trees to use).
It's more than just how one body is complex and held together. My body is dependent upon the greater system around me. And I am part of it, not just appreciating it but involved in it.
A public blog is not the place to confess where it is that I have failed Christ, although that is what I always think of on Good Friday. What is different about this Good Friday is that I've done something about it. Confession and better use of my role in creation. Maybe that's what this running is all about - being more responsible with what I've been given, in body and creation - and being more attentive to the Spirit blowing around me.
The wind has been blowing very hard now for a day and a half. It's spring time, still quite cold and with a wind to chill your bones. In spite of the cold temperatures, the bulb flowers are pushing up their green leaves and the trees are all budding.
Tonight is Good Friday - not a night for pondering spring time and new growth. But I went for a run this afternoon, out in the wind, and in being pushed around by the wind as well as focusing on my breath, the scripture from John came to mind.
The wind blows where it will - you hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. The Hebrew word for wind is also used for Spirit and breath. The wind that was pushing me around came in swirls and great gusts. No consistency, mostly from one direction but then a swoosh of leaves and sand would come around from the other direction.
God's beautiful creation includes more than just the glories of spring time. God's beautiful creation includes this body, how it's put together just so for walking and running, bending and stretching. It's amazing how all the different intricate parts work together - breathing in oxygen (from those trees) which is then transferred to the blood, then carried throughout the body in miles of vessels so that the muscles can keep moving, and then carbon dioxide is carried back out of the body via the same system (for those trees to use).
It's more than just how one body is complex and held together. My body is dependent upon the greater system around me. And I am part of it, not just appreciating it but involved in it.
A public blog is not the place to confess where it is that I have failed Christ, although that is what I always think of on Good Friday. What is different about this Good Friday is that I've done something about it. Confession and better use of my role in creation. Maybe that's what this running is all about - being more responsible with what I've been given, in body and creation - and being more attentive to the Spirit blowing around me.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
But I Was Only Walking!
Today was supposed to be a run day. Didn't happen.
Mary Grace wasn't feeling well, so after class and a mandatory graduation meeting, I rushed home. Rush is a relative term.
Took the green line, but knew before we got to Park Street Station that I wouldn't make the 1:30 commuter rail train, so I got off and hopped on the Orange Line instead. When I got to the station, I had just ~by this much~ (imagine your thumb and finger pretty close together) missed the bus that would take me the rest of the way. Since it was middle of the day, everything was slow. I walked instead. Just a quick 15 minute walk or so, right?
Ugh. 20 minute walk, with heavy computer bag including books in it, plus the wind. Sheesh. We had 40 mph gusts today! Coming AT me, of course.
Then I stopped at the grocery store on the way home, because my poor kiddo was out of apple juice. And what kind of mother would I be to let me poor pitiful baby go without apple juice? (with the voice of the doctor in my ear, force fluids, water, apple juice...) So the second half of the way home was with the ever-heavier (or so it seemed) computer bag plus two big bottles of juice (and bagels and the local weekly paper).
On the last block home, I decided that this would count for my run for the day, even without running. Those cute ankle boots with inch and a half heels were giving me a workout, as was the load I was carrying and the wind, right?? Right?
Once home and having caught my breath, I thought better of it and when the sun came out, I knew I'd go running instead. First I'd finish the cleaning project I was doing. That's when it happened....
I was cleaning dust bunnies (ha, Easter joke) out from a neglected corner of the room and must have been leaning funny or something because when I stood up, the back of my right leg complained. No *pop* or *twang* or anything scary like that, just ... ouch.
It really hurts. James says I've strained my hamstring, the exact same location that he struggled to overcome after his knee surgery a few years back. He gave me a few exercises to do and said nice comforting encouraging things. ~sigh~
You know, I might have made an excuse for today's run, but I really was enjoying the exercise and all. I sure hope the ibuprofen works and it all feels better in the morning. That and the sensible hiking boots I'm planning to wear are sure to help, right?
I have to wonder though - after the discussion in class today about the Holocaust, genocides and suffering, to which I found no satisfactory answer to the question about God "allowing" suffering - is it possible that my own pain is in some small way helping me to experience rather than think about suffering? Hmmm....
Well, either way, my hamstring hurts and it will have to get better soon. I've got a paper to write about running!
Mary Grace wasn't feeling well, so after class and a mandatory graduation meeting, I rushed home. Rush is a relative term.
Took the green line, but knew before we got to Park Street Station that I wouldn't make the 1:30 commuter rail train, so I got off and hopped on the Orange Line instead. When I got to the station, I had just ~by this much~ (imagine your thumb and finger pretty close together) missed the bus that would take me the rest of the way. Since it was middle of the day, everything was slow. I walked instead. Just a quick 15 minute walk or so, right?
Ugh. 20 minute walk, with heavy computer bag including books in it, plus the wind. Sheesh. We had 40 mph gusts today! Coming AT me, of course.
Then I stopped at the grocery store on the way home, because my poor kiddo was out of apple juice. And what kind of mother would I be to let me poor pitiful baby go without apple juice? (with the voice of the doctor in my ear, force fluids, water, apple juice...) So the second half of the way home was with the ever-heavier (or so it seemed) computer bag plus two big bottles of juice (and bagels and the local weekly paper).
On the last block home, I decided that this would count for my run for the day, even without running. Those cute ankle boots with inch and a half heels were giving me a workout, as was the load I was carrying and the wind, right?? Right?
Once home and having caught my breath, I thought better of it and when the sun came out, I knew I'd go running instead. First I'd finish the cleaning project I was doing. That's when it happened....
I was cleaning dust bunnies (ha, Easter joke) out from a neglected corner of the room and must have been leaning funny or something because when I stood up, the back of my right leg complained. No *pop* or *twang* or anything scary like that, just ... ouch.
It really hurts. James says I've strained my hamstring, the exact same location that he struggled to overcome after his knee surgery a few years back. He gave me a few exercises to do and said nice comforting encouraging things. ~sigh~
You know, I might have made an excuse for today's run, but I really was enjoying the exercise and all. I sure hope the ibuprofen works and it all feels better in the morning. That and the sensible hiking boots I'm planning to wear are sure to help, right?
I have to wonder though - after the discussion in class today about the Holocaust, genocides and suffering, to which I found no satisfactory answer to the question about God "allowing" suffering - is it possible that my own pain is in some small way helping me to experience rather than think about suffering? Hmmm....
Well, either way, my hamstring hurts and it will have to get better soon. I've got a paper to write about running!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Untie the Donkey
Sunday’s scripture was about Jesus and the disciples entering Jerusalem for the last time - you know, the Palm Sunday story. The sermon title was "Untie the Donkey". Jesus tells the disciples to go ahead of him and to find a donkey that’s never been ridden, to untie it and if anyone asks to say that the Lord needs it.
Of course, someone asked what they were doing - the guy who owned the donkey! It was his donkey, new and young, a valuable piece of property.
Bishop Weaver told us that there are two important parts to this bit of the story - first Jesus tells the disciples to go and to prepare the way. We have to go untie the donkey because the Lord needs us to - we have to go prepare the way wherever it is that God is calling us to go, our home, our workplace, our friends, wherever it is that God is calling us to go.
The other aspect of this story is that we may have to untie something because the Lord needs it. We may have to give up something valuable, something we are holding on to, something we think we can’t do without - because the Lord needs it.
One class I’m taking is "International Conflict Transformation" and one of our assignments was to design a ritual for the class. Since our topic was mission, my partner designed our opening ritual to get us thinking about how we define ourselves and separate ourselves into groups - a way to think about breaking down the barriers between people.
For our closing ritual, I gave each person a length of string, tied in a knot. I told them about Bishop Weaver’s sermon and then invited them to prayerfully consider what God is calling them to go do, to prepare the way for the Lord - or what God is calling them to untie and give up because the Lord needs it.
As I ran today, it occurred to me that part of what I am untying is my potential. I have a history of not living up to the potential others see in me, or sabotaging my own plans and goals. But today I realized that I’m running, as my daughter sees the potential in me to be an athlete - a runner, no less! There are things I’m studying that I think the Lord needs. To do this right, I’m going to have to be focused and disciplined, just like a training program.
So - I know what I’m untying... what about you?
Of course, someone asked what they were doing - the guy who owned the donkey! It was his donkey, new and young, a valuable piece of property.
Bishop Weaver told us that there are two important parts to this bit of the story - first Jesus tells the disciples to go and to prepare the way. We have to go untie the donkey because the Lord needs us to - we have to go prepare the way wherever it is that God is calling us to go, our home, our workplace, our friends, wherever it is that God is calling us to go.
The other aspect of this story is that we may have to untie something because the Lord needs it. We may have to give up something valuable, something we are holding on to, something we think we can’t do without - because the Lord needs it.
One class I’m taking is "International Conflict Transformation" and one of our assignments was to design a ritual for the class. Since our topic was mission, my partner designed our opening ritual to get us thinking about how we define ourselves and separate ourselves into groups - a way to think about breaking down the barriers between people.
For our closing ritual, I gave each person a length of string, tied in a knot. I told them about Bishop Weaver’s sermon and then invited them to prayerfully consider what God is calling them to go do, to prepare the way for the Lord - or what God is calling them to untie and give up because the Lord needs it.
As I ran today, it occurred to me that part of what I am untying is my potential. I have a history of not living up to the potential others see in me, or sabotaging my own plans and goals. But today I realized that I’m running, as my daughter sees the potential in me to be an athlete - a runner, no less! There are things I’m studying that I think the Lord needs. To do this right, I’m going to have to be focused and disciplined, just like a training program.
So - I know what I’m untying... what about you?
Palm Sunday Sunshine
It was supposed to rain and snow at the same time today - can you imagine? A southern girl who knows Palm Sunday as a warm day - waving palms down Main Street in the snow? Ack!
Turns out the girls couldn’t get up early enough for the ecumenical palms procession down Main Street, so we only went to worship. It wasn’t snowing or raining, but it wasn’t much over 35 degrees either.
Bishop Weaver preached today, a motivating sermon about the disciples going ahead of Jesus to prepare the way - how we need to go prepare the way in our homes, our workplaces, our cities. The other part of the sermon was that we also need to be prepared to let go of what we value - just as the owner of the donkey did, he let go of his resources because the Lord needed it. What do we cling to because we think we need it, when really the Lord needs it?
After church we had a pot luck lunch and then I was ready for a nice relaxing cup of tea, a second slice of cake, and maybe a nap. That’s when I remembered that it was a running day - ugh. Man oh man, how I wanted to just sit there with that tea!
But I’ve promised my daughter that I would do this, so I got dressed, put on the sneakers and headed out. My ankles only hurt once, this time earlier in the run. And I lost count of the run intervals again, it’s a very good thing I’ve got that podcast to keep track for me.
The podcast guy says that after a run interval you shouldn’t be out of breath or tired. Who’s he kidding? Out of breath? Oh yeah. Tired? Not so much. I think I might like doing this. Which freaks me out, so don’t tell anyone.
Must get back to pondering mission in the global context, I’ve got reports to write.
Turns out the girls couldn’t get up early enough for the ecumenical palms procession down Main Street, so we only went to worship. It wasn’t snowing or raining, but it wasn’t much over 35 degrees either.
Bishop Weaver preached today, a motivating sermon about the disciples going ahead of Jesus to prepare the way - how we need to go prepare the way in our homes, our workplaces, our cities. The other part of the sermon was that we also need to be prepared to let go of what we value - just as the owner of the donkey did, he let go of his resources because the Lord needed it. What do we cling to because we think we need it, when really the Lord needs it?
After church we had a pot luck lunch and then I was ready for a nice relaxing cup of tea, a second slice of cake, and maybe a nap. That’s when I remembered that it was a running day - ugh. Man oh man, how I wanted to just sit there with that tea!
But I’ve promised my daughter that I would do this, so I got dressed, put on the sneakers and headed out. My ankles only hurt once, this time earlier in the run. And I lost count of the run intervals again, it’s a very good thing I’ve got that podcast to keep track for me.
The podcast guy says that after a run interval you shouldn’t be out of breath or tired. Who’s he kidding? Out of breath? Oh yeah. Tired? Not so much. I think I might like doing this. Which freaks me out, so don’t tell anyone.
Must get back to pondering mission in the global context, I’ve got reports to write.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
resolutions
Back at the beginning of the year, I made the outrageous announcement that one of my new year's resolutions was to begin training for the Boston Marathon - to run it in 2009, not this April. I'm not THAT crazy. After I made the outrageous announcement, I got really sick. And then school started, which meant I got really busy really quick. And then there was that out of town conference...
Once you begin the "putting off" process, it's downhill from there. (that's a running joke, you're supposed to laugh now)
So I've been procrastinating since February. I confess. But in the meantime I've committed to a final project in my "Thinking Theologically in Everyday Life" course on (go ahead, make a guess...) running. Running the Boston Marathon in particular, but since I won't be running that marathon this April, running in general.
For people like me (I don't like to exercise, much less sweat, ewww) there's a training program called "Couch to 5K" on Cool Runnings. It's sensible and do-able. You start by alternating walking and running, so you don't flame out in the first five minutes and give it all up. http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
There's also a podcast out there, which I desperately needed. How could I possibly watch my watch while running? The guy who made the podcast uses great music and tells you when to run and when to walk, and is encouraging.
Even though we had rain and snow (at the same time) today, I knew that if I didn't start today, I would just keep putting it off, and putting it off, and putting it off...
There's a three mile Run For Women here in May. If I started the Couch to 5K program today, I could run the Run for Women with my daughters. Enough with the excuses, enough with the procrastination, just put on the expensive warm gear, lace up the shoes, pop in the iPod and GET OUT THERE. ~sigh~
So I did. And I discovered why the man who won the most Boston Marathons (and is the oldest winner ever) came from this little town. It's all hills. ALL hills. For a non-runner, I managed to start uphill and finish uphill. Argh!
So far, the muscles aren't screaming. The lungs work just fine, so does the heart. Thanks to Celia, I stretched out afterward. We'll see how things are in the morning, but tomorrow is a yoga day. Friday's the next run.
We'll see how it goes. Don't buy stock in ibuprofen just yet.
Once you begin the "putting off" process, it's downhill from there. (that's a running joke, you're supposed to laugh now)
So I've been procrastinating since February. I confess. But in the meantime I've committed to a final project in my "Thinking Theologically in Everyday Life" course on (go ahead, make a guess...) running. Running the Boston Marathon in particular, but since I won't be running that marathon this April, running in general.
For people like me (I don't like to exercise, much less sweat, ewww) there's a training program called "Couch to 5K" on Cool Runnings. It's sensible and do-able. You start by alternating walking and running, so you don't flame out in the first five minutes and give it all up. http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
There's also a podcast out there, which I desperately needed. How could I possibly watch my watch while running? The guy who made the podcast uses great music and tells you when to run and when to walk, and is encouraging.
Even though we had rain and snow (at the same time) today, I knew that if I didn't start today, I would just keep putting it off, and putting it off, and putting it off...
There's a three mile Run For Women here in May. If I started the Couch to 5K program today, I could run the Run for Women with my daughters. Enough with the excuses, enough with the procrastination, just put on the expensive warm gear, lace up the shoes, pop in the iPod and GET OUT THERE. ~sigh~
So I did. And I discovered why the man who won the most Boston Marathons (and is the oldest winner ever) came from this little town. It's all hills. ALL hills. For a non-runner, I managed to start uphill and finish uphill. Argh!
So far, the muscles aren't screaming. The lungs work just fine, so does the heart. Thanks to Celia, I stretched out afterward. We'll see how things are in the morning, but tomorrow is a yoga day. Friday's the next run.
We'll see how it goes. Don't buy stock in ibuprofen just yet.
hard hearts
Today's daily lectionary has some interesting coincidences. In the reading from Exodus, Moses and Aaron are having their first meeting with the original Mr. Hard Hearted, the Pharoah. No matter what they do (as God tells them to) Pharoah just gets his magicians to do the same and his heart stays hard.
In the reading from Mark, the Pharisees are the ones with the hard hearts. They are testing Jesus by asking about divorce, and Jesus points out that it's because of their own hard hearts that Moses wrote laws about divorce. Nevermind what Jesus is doing, their hearts are hard.
What strikes me as the same in these two passages is that both Pharoah and the Pharisees don't want to change things. Their hearts are hard because they are set in their ways and their attitudes. Pharoah because he's got slaves - makes his life easier, softer, more money and power for him. Pharisees because they don't have to care about what happens to the women they divorce. It's not an easy business to be married, and in those days it was beyond easy to divorce and leave the woman without anything - women at that time were considered property and without the protection of family or spouse a woman often only had slavery or prostitution to turn to for a living.
Change isn't easy. I move quite often - that kind of change is easier than heart change. I know - God is always working on me and my attitudes. Heart change! Our heart shows our attitudes. It's far easier to pack and unpack a box than it is to change attitudes.
So what is scripture saying to us today? As humans, it's our tendency to be hard hearted - cynical, selfish, resistant to change, argumentative, and defensive about our actions and attitudes. God calls us to live beyond our tendencies and into our possibilities.
It is through the Spirit that God works in us to change our hard hearts. In Ezekiel, God actually says this twice - that God will take our hearts of stone and replace them with a heart of flesh, an undivided heart that seeks after God and God's ways, which is seen in our actions in worship and in how we treat others.
We're nearing Holy Week - and all through Lent, God has been working on my hard heart and my selfish attitudes. It's not an easy journey through Lent, but with the Spirit's help, my attitudes and my heart just might make it to Easter yet.
In the reading from Mark, the Pharisees are the ones with the hard hearts. They are testing Jesus by asking about divorce, and Jesus points out that it's because of their own hard hearts that Moses wrote laws about divorce. Nevermind what Jesus is doing, their hearts are hard.
What strikes me as the same in these two passages is that both Pharoah and the Pharisees don't want to change things. Their hearts are hard because they are set in their ways and their attitudes. Pharoah because he's got slaves - makes his life easier, softer, more money and power for him. Pharisees because they don't have to care about what happens to the women they divorce. It's not an easy business to be married, and in those days it was beyond easy to divorce and leave the woman without anything - women at that time were considered property and without the protection of family or spouse a woman often only had slavery or prostitution to turn to for a living.
Change isn't easy. I move quite often - that kind of change is easier than heart change. I know - God is always working on me and my attitudes. Heart change! Our heart shows our attitudes. It's far easier to pack and unpack a box than it is to change attitudes.
So what is scripture saying to us today? As humans, it's our tendency to be hard hearted - cynical, selfish, resistant to change, argumentative, and defensive about our actions and attitudes. God calls us to live beyond our tendencies and into our possibilities.
It is through the Spirit that God works in us to change our hard hearts. In Ezekiel, God actually says this twice - that God will take our hearts of stone and replace them with a heart of flesh, an undivided heart that seeks after God and God's ways, which is seen in our actions in worship and in how we treat others.
We're nearing Holy Week - and all through Lent, God has been working on my hard heart and my selfish attitudes. It's not an easy journey through Lent, but with the Spirit's help, my attitudes and my heart just might make it to Easter yet.
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