Thursday, August 6, 2015

Two Letters

Dear Daily Run,

Oh, how I've missed you. It's so good to be back.

I know my running has been, well, inconsistent for a few months now. Okay, maybe "spotty" is a better word. Fine--honestly, it's been nonexistent. And I have every excuse in the book: I have little kids! My husband travels! Summers in Tennessee are HOT! We've been out of town!

There is really no excuse. I could have made it work but I chose other things. 

But you always welcome me back with open arms. Even though my first run back was at about 90 percent humidity (at 5:45 am!!!) and I found myself gasping for breath, I kept thinking to myself, "Why haven't I been doing this?" I love how it gives me energy. I love how it makes me sleep well at night. I love how it makes me more aware of my body in terms of what I drink and what I eat. 

Now we both know that daily runs aren't all butterflies and flowers. There are spiders, roots, and slick spots threatening to trip me up. There is soreness and aches letting me know that, even though I've done something good, I'm getting old. 

And, oh, the sacrifice. Something has to give if I'm going to run. Usually it's sleep, but sometimes it's time I'd spend reading, cleaning, cooking, or catching up with a friend. But I know the consistency of running is an investment and sacrifice I want to make.

I'm a runner. I would have told you that all summer, when I hadn't run back-to-back days in months. But runners run, meaning I would be lying to myself if my life wasn't marked by a run on a somewhat regular basis. 

So thanks, Daily Run, for waiting for me. You've always been there, knowing I'd come back. Your song is too sweet; your allure too great. The cobwebs are blown out and I'm ready not to just call myself a runner but to actually be a runner again.

Yours,
Leslie Hudson
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Dear Daily Quiet Time,

Oh, how I've missed you. It's good to be back.

I know my early-morning Jesus Times have been, well, inconsistent this summer. Okay, maybe "spotty" is a better word. Fine--it's been nonexistent. And I have every excuse in the book: I have little kids! My husband travels! Summers are crazy! We've been out of town!

There really is no excuse. I could have made it work and I chose other things.

But you always welcome me back with open arms. Even though my first get-up-before-dawn-like-a-Proverbs-31-woman day was a shock to my system, I kept thinking to myself, "Why haven't I been doing this?" I love how it gets me focused. I love hearing the Holy Spirit in Scripture. I love digging deeply into a verse I've read a thousand times but seems new and fresh. I love how it molds and shapes my mind and my heart. 

Now we both know that a Daily Quiet Time isn't all angels and harps. There are times we're spent, lonely, discouraged, or anxious. There's the soreness that comes from chastisement and conviction and cleansing. 

And, oh, the sacrifice. Something has to give if I'm going to have quality quantity with the Lord. Usually it's sleep, but sometimes it's time I'd spend reading, cleaning, cooking, or catching up with a friend. But I know the consistency of a Daily Quiet Time is the most important investment and sacrifice I want to make.

I'm a disciple of Jesus. I would have told you that all summer, when my mornings were marked by sleeping in rather than prayer. But a disciple is a learner, and I'd be lying to myself if I wasn't actively pursuing what it means to live like Jesus through His Word.

So thanks, Lord, for waiting for me. You've always been there, knowing I'd come back. Your song is too sweet; Your Grace too Amazing. My heart, mind, and soul are pointed back in your direction and I'm ready not to just call myself a disciple but to be a disciple again.

Yours forever,
Leslie Hudson