Wipe out

 ^"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
  2 Corinthians 4:7-9
I'm feeling the clay-ness of my jar today, as I literally hit the ground running yesterday morning.  7 miles quickly became just about 4 and a slow walk home, after tripping over some rough road in the predawn and scraping and bruising almost as many parts as not.  I'm sure the poor neighbors wondered about all the caterwauling in the street as I cried out to the Lord for mercy and healing while sprawled on the pavement.  Between God's kindness and Harry's bandaging, I'm stiff, but not in despair today.  It was quite a victory this morning to even take a shower and wash my hair, since I can barely lift my arm.  Seems my shoulder, with no visible injury, took most of the impact as I caught myself with my right hand.  
You know, I don't like moving slow and feeling like punishment, but it's humbling and a good reminder of what many friends and relatives deal with daily.  I wonder if my friend with ALS fights stiffness like this every morning.   Perhaps she's given up on hair-styling.  I wonder if a young lady I know who wakes up to CF, struggling to breathe and hoping for better meds sees any relief ahead.  I could go on.  
Not everyone hops out of bed each morning, heads for the coffee, and then for the dark and bumpy road.  This one-handed driving and asking the kids to wipe up or to lift my bowl down from the microwave just makes me think.  I hope to try a few miles tomorrow, and soon I might shift the Honda into drive without wincing.  But what a gift running is.  What a gift a pain-free life is.  It won't always hurt like it does today, I know.  But I'll remember the hurts, and appreciate the strength of those who live this way all the time.  

Thankful

Life is better thankful.

"Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:

“Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?" 
2 Samuel 7:18.

So many beautiful things in life.  God answers prayer with much kindness.  As Hannah pointed out, He didn't have to make coffee or chocolate...they are just bonuses...pure pleasure. 
We had some wonderful, new friends over for dinner yesterday.  One of them, a world traveler, not raised to believe, had been in almost every country in the world!  He went everywhere searching for God, for the true religion.  He visited churches of every kind, listened, read books, and now attends our church!  So beautiful and gracious of the Lord, to bring him back to a little, Presbyterian church in Frederick, Maryland.  And yet, my heart cries out in thankfulness, I was born into this truth.   I was taught truth from babyhood.  I am so blessed!  
Just makes me say with David, "who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?"  
I do not know what lies ahead...for me, for my family, or for my country.  It seems, if you look for them, there are threats on every side.  
But outside my window is a gold-leafed, silver-trunked birch.   And at my kitchen table is a blue-eyed 12-year-old who "gets" her algebra today.  Tomorrow, I plan to discuss God's faithfulness and share lunch with about 35 beautiful, godly women.   I've been given much...just feeling the thankfulness, loving our generous God, and praying for the Light in the dark places. 
There are those...dark places of hopeless fear for those lost and wandering.  So many want nothing to do with the Way, the Truth and the Life.  And by grace poured out I know Him, through no wisdom or rightness of my own.   
Ran 40 miles last week!  Should add a few and try to run my age one of these weeks.  Another pile of thankfulness there...in the gift of running.  
Join me, won't you?  Let's notice the beauty, and choose to be thankful.  It's another blessing, really.