The Epiphany

Did you know that The Magi who followed the Star of Bethlehem traveled an exceptionally long distance to pay homage to the baby Jesus? Some theorists said that they journeyed about 1,000 to 1,200 miles. Talk about endurance and long distance. That, by early Roman Empire standards and even modern categories, is incredibly far.

In training, runners can cover that mileage over a period of time, but not without battling pain and overcoming bad days. There’s tremendous adversity to handle to complete a certain mileage to be able to successfully finish a race. It changes the life of a person so much so that it is said that, “The person who starts a race is not the same person who finishes the race.”

In a similar way, I think The Magi who traveled an ultra-long distance, were transformed. Even more so, upon seeing the star and seeing the child Jesus, they were never the same again. It was the Epiphany of the Lord to The Magi and to the world. God shone the Star of Bethlehem and led them to their Lord and Savior.

NO U-TURN. Once you see the light of
the Lord, it makes a difference in your
life that you never want to go back
to your old ways.

This past Christmas, after another year of journeying life without my wife, I think I finally saw the star in the sky. With lots of praying and prayers from you, I was enlightened to see the joy of living in the present and leaving the past behind. My grieving may not get “done”, but my current situation can have a good outcome. All of us had troubled days, but those are now past and gone. God’s star “over the place where the child Jesus was” will bring us joy and hope for a renewed life.

Now the Magi, “having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, departed for their country by another way.” (Matthew 2:12). The Magi, though they were instructed by Herod to return upon seeing the Child, did not go back to Herod. Once you see the light of the Lord, it makes a difference in your life that you never want to go back to your old ways. When God shines His light to you, you will be filled with grace so much so that there’s no u-turning anymore. Onward forward ahead!

God speed!

Did you know that The Magi who followed the Star of Bethlehem travelled an exceptionally long distance to pay homage to the baby Jesus? Some theorists said that they journeyed about 1,000 to 1,200 miles. Talk about endurance and long distance. That, by early Roman Empire standards and even modern categories, is incredibly far.

In training, runners can cover that mileage over a period of time, but not without battling pain and overcoming bad days. There’s tremendous adversity to handle to complete a certain mileage to be able to successfully finish a race. It changes the life of a person so much so that it is said that, “The person who starts a race is not the same person who finishes the race.”

In a similar way, I think The Magi who travelled an ultra-long distance, were transformed. Even more so, upon seeing the star and seeing the child Jesus, they were never the same. It was the Epiphany of the Lord to The Magi and to the world. God shone the Star of Bethlehem and led them to their Lord and Savior.

This past Christmas, after another year of journeying life without my wife, I think I finally saw the star in the sky. With lots of praying and prayers from you, I was enlightened to see the joy of living in the present and leaving the past behind. My grieving may not get “done”, but my current situation can have a good outcome. All of us had troubled days, but those are now past and gone. God’s star “over the place where the child Jesus was” will bring us joy and hope for a renewed life.

NOT Your Health

Nobody can take your health away from you,
but don't take it for granted either.

Unlike property, nobody can take your health away from you. You don’t owe anybody your body. But you can’t sell or get rid of it either. You own it, imperfections and all.

That being said, you really need to take care of your body’s health. It’s a very important aspect of your life, to say the least. A lot of your daily activities actually revolve around your body’s health. 

Unfortunately, our health is often taken for granted. I was talking to a friend one day who said that he is very busy all day long. He works 8 to 5, then takes the kids to soccer practice, and gets dinner ready when they arrive home. Before he knows it, he’s so wiped out. Sure he knows the importance of health, but who’s got the time to exercise?

Well, remember this – somebody right now who is busier than my friend shall find the time to exercise during the day.

The people who find time to exercise have ranked exercise high on their priority list along with going to work, taking care of the kids, and doing chores at home. The idea is that whatever activity keeps you really occupied, exercise needs to be seen in the same light.

In the New Year 2013, they say that a return in the normal housing market is unlikely. However, it could be better when it comes to your personal home front. This new year, make it happen – put one bright spot in your life this year which you could act actually take charge of…

Here’s what PrayingRunner wants you to do for 2013 –

Put your health higher in the totem pole of your time.  At least, don’t give it as an excuse that you don’t have time to exercise because you’re busy. Your body is yours for your lifetime. Though nobody can foreclose it on you, you do have obligations to take care of it.

Here’s what PrayingRunner can do for you in 2013 –

I shall continue to pray for your special intentions, inspire you, encourage you, give you tips, run for you, and if ever possible, train or run with you.

Have a Blessed New Year 2013 and God speed!

Muddling Through

A verse in the Christmas song, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," struck a chord in me...

Through the years we all will be together, If the fates allow; Until then we'll have to muddle through somehow; And have yourself a Merry Little Christmas now.

Muddling through was what I pretty much did in the marathon I ran December 2nd this year in Sacramento, CA. It was by far the stormiest running in the 30 years of the race, the California International Marathon (CIM). Gusty winds blowing in every direction and inches of rain pouring down on the course. Broken branches strewn on the soaking pavement of running water and silt. As puddled and mired the course became, I and a whole lot of runners muddled through the race somehow.

T'was just like how I managed this Christmas and the year 2012 that was - a full year without my wife. Although the storms in my life were not as epic as the CIM's storm, some of them were turbulent enough to blow my emotional state to pieces. I just miss her terribly as I learn to live my life without her. And that is all there is to it. Until that day we are reunited in God's eternal place for us, keeping her memory alive in my runs, praying for other people's intentions, and living each moment with love like she did, I will get through for sure!

So next year, my prayer runs will go on and hopefully, more of my "reflections on the road" posted a lot more often. You can help me by "liking" my PrayingRunner Facebook Page, http://www.facebook.com/prayingrunner and sharing it on yours.

Thank you and God speed!

Passing A Milestone and Moving On

Every marathon, I run with a pink rose in my
hand in memory of my wife, Jinky

What do you do when half of who you are is gone,
You move on.
You move on with all that’s left of you.
You look up, you look ahead down the road
You see the parade has passed and the crowd is leaving,
You just keep moving  on.
On this Thanksgiving Day 2012, more than a year after Jinky’s passing
I bring her CaringBridge website to a close.
A book is in the works through CaringBridge
So I can keep all memories and your thoughts and prayers.
I want to thank you for being a part of her journey.
Jinky has moved on
And Tim and I are still passing through.
So we keep moving on with faith in our God of hope
Who sees nothing but the whole of me.
Thank you and God bless.
May you have a Happy Day of Giving Thanks!

God speed!