The Accidental Runner
Start by doing what is necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly, you’re doing the impossible. Saint Francis of Assisi
True story!
It started several years ago as a way to run for more than just checking off a bucket list item. I can't believe we're heading into our fifth fundraising race cycle.
I'm a runner.
I also can't believe that I'm a runner.
There, I said it. I'm a runner.
It's taken me a long time to be settled with that. All I need is to have a body, and run. That is literally it. I don't have to have a particular type of body - size, shape, etc. - and I don't have to run a certain distance, or at a certain speed.
My run a couple of days ago was really hard. Not sure why. It's not like I haven't been doing the same thing week after week for months. Heck, I've been running fairly consistently for about five years now.
Some steps are just hard. It doesn't matter how many times you have traveled those steps.
It got me thinking to what started this whole running business in the first place.
I'm an accidental runner.
And yes, we're going to start with some definitions.
According to Merriam-Webster, accident means:
an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance;
Accidental means:
occurring unexpectedly or by chance;
happening without intent or through carelessness and often with unfortunate results.
Runner means:
one who runs.
Run means:
to go faster than a walk.
More specifically, to run means to go steadily by springing steps so that both feet leave the ground for an instant in each step.
Yep, you guessed it. This accidental runner is quite the word nerd. The fact that I’m identifying myself as an accidental runner, as opposed to maybe a professional runner, or a speedy runner, or even a ridiculous runner should sum up very nicely how I quite literally stumbled into this thing called “running.” And yes, the pun was intended.
Running has been one of the biggest unexpected hurdles I’ve had to overcome. It actually continues to be a huge hurdle most days nearly five years later. Running has taught me all about overcoming obstacles, though.
Feelings and moods come and go.
I used to let my feelings and moods determine what I would do.
Who am I kidding?
That’s not entirely past tense. I still use my feelings and moods to dictate my faithfulness to see things through. Taking care of what’s been entrusted to me - mind, body, soul - should never be determined by fluctuating moods or feelings. It’s my life we’re talking about! Sadly, I’ve spent most of my life doing that very thing.
If I feel like it, I’ll do it. If I don’t, I won’t.
Not feeling like doing something is not a valid excuse for my kids, or anyone else, so why would it be okay for me? Acknowledging my hypocrisy for what it was became the first step in my accidental running journey.
Mundane faithfulness.
I need to show up, and be faithful to do what I've set out to do. On a small scale, it's preparing for this next race. But on an even grander scale, it's showing up and being faithful to what I have been called to in the day-to-day, as well as the life-altering and mind-boggling "how the heck are we going to get through THIS?" kind of stuff.
This accidental runner journey has taught is teaching me about mundane faithfulness. The practical kind of faithfulness I need for the day-to-day ins and outs of life. It's the kind of faithfulness that prepares me for the faithfulness I need to stand firm when stuff hits the fan. It has driven me to the core of what I believe about myself, and about God.
Who I am, who he is, and who I am in him.
Over the coming weeks and months, I'll be sharing more about my journey as an accidental runner. My prayer is that you will be encouraged to run your race with endurance, whether it's a literal one or not.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1