Running in the Rain

Marathon training is definitely not for the non-committed. Dedication from waking up early, enduring many pounding steps, tight muscles afterwards, which lead to many reps of stretching are all part of the gamut. Yesterday was the peak of my training as the official number of miles totaled, drum roll please, 22. So in the 22 miles ran, rain occurred. The first seven to eight miles the weather was clear and then a light mist fell. The mist then turned into rain. My mind wanted to focus on the rain and to think I had to run 14 more miles in the rain was almost unbearable. I couldn't stay there. Why not run in the rain? Well, I do prefer to be dry and I can't control the rain. Rain combining with sweat does create burning in the eyes and with a soaked running top, drenched hands- not an inch of dry space anywhere, leads to continued wet eyes. In the midst of this- my will had to kick in. Recently I had thought of the verse- Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength. I've heard that the soul encompasses the mind, will and emotion. There is something about the word will. I WILL be thankful- or I will to be thankful. In the midst I started praying about the things that I was thankful for- this was instant mind renewal. Interesting (of course this is all God's design) when we renew our minds, you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. I knew there was no coincidence as I headed home from Columbus yesterday that I heard- Praise You in this storm twice on the radio. If you're not familiar with this song- the lyrics talk of praising God in the midst of our storms. It's easy to run in the cool peak of the morning when the sun is beginning to rise; however, it's another story when one has to run in the midst of rain. All of a sudden your senses are more aware of the heaviness of the rain as well as the hindrance of your senses- your sight. How true when the rain comes our sight is altered. However, God remains the same- He is worthy to be praised- He is our hope; He gives us the strength to continue to run in the rain. Oh Lord, we need Your grace to run, running in the times of rain, running in the times of drought, running when we are hungry.....but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31).