Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
When this week began, this verse had such a different meaning than it does today. I signed up for a full marathon and this was week 1 of a 20 week training program. I turned 41 and have celebrated one of the healthiest years of my lives. I hit my goal of losing 90 lbs, ran a 5k, then a half-marathon. I was (and still am) stoked to begin my 41st year where I left off at 40. I have a wonderful wife and two lovely daughters. 40 really was great, but now to move on. New goals, new challenges and a strength in my relationship with Papa that will help to guide and encourage me. The week started off good. I have a chart with each week's activities and while I spent more time on the treadmill than I would have liked, I was determined and on track and feeling good. I was excited!
Then Thursday came. In an instant, a friend died in a car accident. Tragic really; she has a loving husband and three beautiful daughters who are going to miss her beyond what I can imagine. She has friends, brothers and sisters (both natural and spiritual) whose lives were touched. Her and her family had overcome so much. They are an inspiration to many, including me. Notice I use present tense, because although gone from the flesh, she lives on in spirit and is still inspiring.
I have a friend who lost his brother this week and one of my cousins also passed. They were also believers, so while we mourn their passing we rejoice in knowing that death has been conquered. Each is alive and well, just in a way that we may not comprehend yet. But we know; I know. And as we mourn, we come together as a body and we love one another and comfort one another and we bring healing to each other, through Him, through each other.
I have a friend who lost his brother this week and one of my cousins also passed. They were also believers, so while we mourn their passing we rejoice in knowing that death has been conquered. Each is alive and well, just in a way that we may not comprehend yet. But we know; I know. And as we mourn, we come together as a body and we love one another and comfort one another and we bring healing to each other, through Him, through each other.
Week 2 of my training begins tomorrow with a day of rest. I take comfort in knowing that there is rest in my plan just as there is rest in His plan. My prayer is that all who were impacted by loss this week will rest in Him.
And then, back to it. Read the verse again.
Isa 40:31
Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
I
