Keep Running!

So it's been a while! Seems like every time I think about writing a new blog post that's the first thought I have. In fact it's been just about a year since the last time I wrote anything for this blog. It's not because I haven't had any good thoughts or anything worth writing down (well maybe that's some of it) but more than anything else, it's one of those things that when an idea hits me I think that would make a good blog post but then I just never get around to posting. So now I'm posting so I guess I should get onto the post!

So most of you who will read this, probably know me pretty well. You also know that in the last few years I've participated in extreme mud runs that get you electrocuted and other extreme obstacles. You can see some pictures here: http://www2.brightroom.com/98254/2637. This past April I ran my first mini marathon (13.1 miles) and now I've decided to run my first full marathon (26.2 miles). I know that sounds crazy right? Who signs up and pays to run 26.2 miles. Well, honestly not many, I read somewhere that less than 1% of the world's population will complete a marathon.

But one of the things that I really love about running is that it's a good time to think and reflect about things. I've been thinking a lot in the last few weeks about two men. Greg Bowen and Rick Adams. Both of these men have been fixtures in my home community for as long as I can remember. Both of these men have been mentors of mine. Both of these men I consider friends. One is a preacher, the other a school teacher. Both of these men are battling pancreatic cancer.

Greg has been preaching at my home church since before I was born. His kids were some of my best friends growing up. His sons Matthew and Daniel and I and several others played many pickup basketball games in the parking lot of the church. Rick has been a school teacher in Washington County for probably that long too. He was my P.E. teacher all the way through middle school. He was my grade school basketball coach, and one of my baseball coaches. In fact, I don't know many kids who have played any sort of sport in Washington County that he hasn't coached. Both of them have left lasting impressions on me and so many others that reach farther than they will ever know.

Rick has always been an avid runner, he is really the first long distance runner that I ever knew. It never really made sense to me why he would run all the time but now I get it. For me it's a chance to think, to think about my relationships with people, my relationship with God. It's where I can clear my head and in some sense re-charge my batteries so to speak.

A few nights ago during a run I was thinking about people that have had a large influence in my life and I thought about Greg and Rick. I also kept thinking about a verse in Luke 15. I was preparing for a sermon that I would be preaching a few days later about the prodigal son (you can listen to it here: glenviewchristian.podbean.com/e/sunday-morning-sermon-83114/). And I just kept thinking about the part of the story where the Father runs out to meet the son when he is returning home. The amazing part of that story to me is that the Father was waiting for the son and when he sees him he runs to him. I have this one mental thought about running the marathon that I keep coming back too and it's this, when I get to mile 20, i'm going to think that's a long way that I have run and I still have 6 more miles to go! But I keep reminding myself that the same Father that ran out to the prodigal son, is running alongside of me, so I'll keep running!

That same Father is also running next to Greg and Rick as they battle their cancer! So Greg and Rick keep running!!