Listening to the whispers

As I aged I slowly discovered how nieve I was and how much of the world I really did not see. Actually I think it was my husband who would point it out for me. I figured when I was to turn 30 I would suddenly be more wise. As I woke up on my birthday, I was sadly dissappointed.

Life lesson #24: Disappointment arrives when expectations have not been met!

So to achieve this I prayed for wisdom. I remembered the story of king Solomon who had asked for wisdom and was later seem as one of the wisest men ever. I don't feel the need to be seen as a wise woman but I do recognize how nieve and simple minded I have been in the past. So what could it hurt if I was to ask for a bit more of an open mind, maybe a better sight into the things that matter, a better ear to hear what God has to say to me. Mathew 11:9 "He who has ears, let him hear."

Careful what you ask for is the saying.......

So here it is, a few years later. I have slowly begun seeing things in a new way, like my place on the seating chart has been moved in the world and I am able to see things in a new and different light. I am not sure I always like this new way of seeing things, sometimes there are things that look so much better without the light shining on it. There are things I like to do that are maybe not the best choice for me, and as much as I would like to do them , or participate in them, I know better now? Frustrating as I learn and grow. Although for this small complaint, I see that it has been to my advantage every time when I have resisted the not so healthy choices. At the time it does suck to give up the thing that I want, sacrifice is what this seems to be called. I don't always (rarely even) remember that God has a greater plan for me, this one little thing is just that, a little thing. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

There has been so much growing and learning in the past few years that I am just recognizing that this is my how of it; I am seeing things as I run. Not as halucinations, yet, although I am told that may come with ultra runs. But in the sence of my eyes being opened and my ears hearing better. Luke 24:31 "Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him,and he disappeared from their sight." Luke 24:45 "Then he openned their minds so they could understand the Scriptures." When I am running I find an understanding of what I am being taught. Lessons are becoming more clear and less fuzzy in their meanning.

1 Kings 19:12 "After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." Job 26:14 "And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?"

Whispers eh?

I'm pretty loud and believe that I am slowly loosing my hearing, which is why I find these passages so great. To stop and listen is hard for me. Even to run and listen is hard, but running cleans the garbage out of the mind for me. It is the process that opens my mind to what God is trying to whisper to me. While running I do sometimes hear, I get the point to the lesson standing in my path. Suddenly it seems obvious what I need to do. Sometimes it is not so obvious and I have to spend time listening and being much more quiet to hear what is comeing my way. I think that is what the long runs produce for me. More time to be quiet, more time to listen, more time to see. This is what I miss when I don't have the opportunity for a long run, a connection with my creator.

This is why I get all crabby when I can't get out for the long runs, or any run really. When I place other things in front of my connecting with God like laundry, cleanning, working, the list continues.... Life is not nearly as great as it could be. As I learn to prioritize I will accomplish so much more, as I learn to prioritize I will understand so much more.

Now if I could only learn what my priorities need to be, and in what order I need to place them.... and yes, I do know what they are and I do know what order they need to be in. Keeping them that way, in this world, in my world is the challenge I am facing. As we all are....