Pain and Courage

Photo from www.wellandgood.com

So the last six weeks have been difficult because I’ve been sidelined by an injury.  I am unable to run due to plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is an injury to your foot typically caused by excessive tension of the plantar fascia, a band of connective tissue on the bottom of the foot. Repeated tension of the fascia can cause inflammation.  In other words, pain! 

I was at the peak of my training when the pain got worse.  Just when I started thinking of myself as invincible, I felt very helpless.  For a runner, six weeks of no running feels like forever.  However, I tried not to let it bother me inasmuch as it was affecting my morale. I thought about other people who have more debilitating pain or more permanent injury.  I remember my late wife who lived through the pain of breast cancer for 11 years. She didn’t get cured, but she went through a healing.

I look back at my wife’s life and at other people who went through some pain and suffering, and I reflect on what quality they have that stands out the most.  It’s courage.  It’s that inner strength that we call upon when we are faced with fear and anxiety.  It’s at the heart of your soul that gets you going in the midst of hardship and pain. Courage is having an indomitable faith that healing will take place. We are human beings and we are all subject to pain in our lives, but God created our spirit that transcends our mortal senses.  Courage is our path to healing.  My wife passed away from cancer; but in her last years,  she was able to live her life the fullest and most loving that she can ever be. She may not have been cured of the cancer, but she was completely healed. 

The other day, I decided to test run my condition. I went slowly and didn’t go too far, but I was running.  In a similar way, we all live with some pain be it physical or emotional; but we are called to be courageous and continue moving on.  We may carry the pain as we go; but have faith and bring it up to God in prayer. And live with confidence that He will bring you healing.

"This is my command – be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." – Joshua 1:9

How can I pray for you today? Perhaps an injury, pain, or illness? A emotional hurt? Or an unanswered prayer? Let me pray for you and with you. Post on my Facebook page www.facebook.com/prayingrunner or email me at prayingrunner@gmail.com. You can also post your prayer request on the comments page on this blog.

Praying Our Goodbyes

At the airport recently, I saw a young couple perhaps in their mid-twenties, standing just behind the security tape, in a tight embrace. They were both in tears, looking at each other occasionally then kissing; then back in the embrace where their arms were locked around the other. I couldn’t tell which one was leaving but I could tell you none of them wants to let go from that embrace.

The scene reminded me of another couple I saw at the starting line of the San Francisco Marathon. When it was announced one minute to start, the couple smacked on the lips, a quick hug (almost like a chest bump), then the young man walked away and disappeared in the pack.

Two scenes of goodbye said differently. Most of us have been in both kinds of goodbyes. Some goodbyes are easier to say because we know pretty soon we will be reunited with our loved ones. Just like the couple in the race. Some goodbyes are harder perhaps because of the unknown. Just like the couple at the airport.

 But whatever the case may be, goodbyes remind us about a fact of life. At some point in our lives, we would all experience a separation, a loss, a disruption in our “normal” lives. Painful as some of our experience may be, they give us an opportunity to grow, to be renewed, to move forward. And in all ways, goodbyes remind us about God’s presence in our lives. That as we learn to let go, we also learn to let God.

A few days ago, I prayed my goodbye to my nephew at the airport. I prayed for his success in the kind of life he desired. Also last week, I prayed my goodbye to my old workplace. I moved to a new school with a completely different level of students to teach. Today I prayed my goodbye to a dear friend who was laid to rest this morning.

Every time I run, I pray for more faith; and I pray in thanksgiving for all that I have received. I wouldn’t be able to pray my goodbyes if I hadn’t learned how to love more and live life fuller from all the goodbyes I’ve said before.

God speed!

Strength for the Journey

Remembering and honoring my wife on her birthday today...Praying for strength to sustain my ministry in spite of difficulties to get back on my feet and running.

For now, allow me to grieve and reminisce...and heal.