Limping In Freedom

At the start line

Last week we took a trip to visit my family in South Georgia. Luke and Ryan participated in the Honey Bee Stinger 100K Gravel Grinder in Hahira, GA.

This was a small, unsupported bike ride on mostly unpaved roads. Here is the link to their Facebook page.


I served as the support crew for my guys and drove all around the beautiful countryside. I also took advantage by going for a run through a park and then doing a little shopping at some cute shops in the small downtown.

Country Roads

I think he's done!

My job as the support crew was to drive around and meet them at a few stops to make sure they had plenty of water and food, and to give moral support. This was especially important at mile 40 when Ryan threatened to throw his bike in a ditch!

They stuck with it for all 67 miles. I brought a good book to read while I waited for them. 

Ready to go again.

It was beautiful countryside.

Red Dirt Roads and Pine Trees

 

Home stretch

Going for a run while I wait

Hahira is a small town north of Valdosta in South GA. They have a Honey Bee Festival every fall with art, food, and a 5K race. Here is a link to their festival page.









As far as my running routine goes, I am making progress but it is still slow. I'm attempting to run a mile a few times a week. I'm not increasing mileage or speed as quickly as I would like. There is a long road ahead of me in running, in my job, and in life. This morning, however, I was very encouraged by the sermon at The Bridge church. Chad Rowland spoke from Genesis 32 about Jacob wrestling with God and the injury he encountered when God touched and basically dislocated Jacob's hip.

Two of his main points spoke so clearly to me: 
Sometimes the sign of God's favor is a scar.
and
It is better to limp in freedom than run in fear.

I have scars that I have perceived as holding me back. I have physical scars from my surgeries and emotional scars from life experiences. Right now we are struggling in our foster care journey. It has been a battle where we have clearly seen God fighting for us, but we won't escape without scars. It makes sense to be fearful of physical and emotional scars. We often run in fear because we believe the things God has called us to are too much. It's too hard. We don't have the time, the energy, the strength. We might get hurt.

However, if my scars are a sign that I have wrestled with God, that I've held on until he's given me a blessing, I absolutely want that. We can wrestle with God by walking in obedience with Him, experiencing the scars that may come with it, and having peace in the freedom offered by remaining in his grasp.