HE LOOKS REAL HAPPY
Good Friday to You,
I finished, and that’s…well…about all I can say. The winning runner completed the course almost exactly TWO HOURS before I stumbled across the finish line. I was trying to smile, but my face betrayed the pain and misery my body had been suffering the final 7 miles. It was so noticeable, the finish line announcer said, “Here is Michael.” Pause. Then continuing with a noticeable ring of sarcasm….“He looks real happy.”
Those final seven miles were absolute misery! Because of some injuries in early December, I simply didn’t adequately finish my training for a marathon. And please explain to me…why did I think it would be “fun” to run 26.2 miles?
It was about 30 minutes, 2 bananas, and 2 bottles of water before I regained my composure.
The foot race through the desert is over. I completed a marathon. My finish was not strong. My pace was not fast. But, I accomplished what I set out to do…finish! Interestingly, I have the opportunity to teach from a portion of Moses’ farewell address to the Israelites, given as they finished their 40-year wandering race across the desert.
This Sunday, we are considering Deuteronomy 6 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/? search=deuteronomy+6&version=ESV), where God provides some profound principles for effective parenting. So, if you have a child or a grandchild…hope to have one in the future…are mentoring a young person…or simply want to better understand your own childhood…this Sunday is for you! I have been marveling at the amazing parenting insights Moses shared 3,500 years ago! The primary text is verses 20-25 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/? search=deuteronomy+6:20-25&version=ESV), but you can get an even better head start by reading the entire chapter.
Hope to see you Sunday,
Pastor Michael
P.S. A big shout out to my bride…she destroyed her half marathon!
P.S.S. I am truly thankful for the people God used to provide specific expertise and encouragement to me during the difficult final weeks of training. Thank you, Andrew, Ronny, Chris, Kevin, Steve, Matt, and Rob. Without you, I would not have finished!
I finished, and that’s…well…about all I can say. The winning runner completed the course almost exactly TWO HOURS before I stumbled across the finish line. I was trying to smile, but my face betrayed the pain and misery my body had been suffering the final 7 miles. It was so noticeable, the finish line announcer said, “Here is Michael.” Pause. Then continuing with a noticeable ring of sarcasm….“He looks real happy.”
Those final seven miles were absolute misery! Because of some injuries in early December, I simply didn’t adequately finish my training for a marathon. And please explain to me…why did I think it would be “fun” to run 26.2 miles?
It was about 30 minutes, 2 bananas, and 2 bottles of water before I regained my composure.
The foot race through the desert is over. I completed a marathon. My finish was not strong. My pace was not fast. But, I accomplished what I set out to do…finish! Interestingly, I have the opportunity to teach from a portion of Moses’ farewell address to the Israelites, given as they finished their 40-year wandering race across the desert.
This Sunday, we are considering Deuteronomy 6 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/? search=deuteronomy+6&version=ESV), where God provides some profound principles for effective parenting. So, if you have a child or a grandchild…hope to have one in the future…are mentoring a young person…or simply want to better understand your own childhood…this Sunday is for you! I have been marveling at the amazing parenting insights Moses shared 3,500 years ago! The primary text is verses 20-25 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/? search=deuteronomy+6:20-25&version=ESV), but you can get an even better head start by reading the entire chapter.
Hope to see you Sunday,
Pastor Michael
P.S. A big shout out to my bride…she destroyed her half marathon!
P.S.S. I am truly thankful for the people God used to provide specific expertise and encouragement to me during the difficult final weeks of training. Thank you, Andrew, Ronny, Chris, Kevin, Steve, Matt, and Rob. Without you, I would not have finished!
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