"Let Your Light Shine"

It was about 90 degrees F. I spent the whole day in the house. After dinner I said, "I just need to get outside. I need to take a walk."

 

"Here, take the dog," my daughter said.

 

"No, I need to walk at my own pace." I drank a plenty of water so I would be well-hydrated.

 

For the past year, ever since we got Milo, I've been taking him for walks most every day. I've been going the distance - sometimes three or four miles a day - but at a beagle's speed. He meanders, he stops to sniff. Sometimes he'll go much faster. That's usually on the way home. I've missed going at a steady brisk pace. I've missed running.

 

So yesterday I ventured out without Milo. I took the trail and crossed the bridge to our town's rec path. Even in the heat I was truly enjoying the walk.

 

Then a man passed me who was running. I smiled and waved at him.  "He's running!" I thought. "In this heat!" I walked on a little farther, then I said to myself, "I can do this!" So I picked up the speed and began running. It felt so good.

 

For some reason, I've always liked running in the heat. I jogged at an easy pace and, with my smartwatch, I monitored my heart rate so it would not get too high. Then I saw the man I had seen earlier coming toward me in the opposite direction. He was still running. 

 

"You inspired me," I said to him. He smiled and kept running. And I kept running.

 

I jogged almost one mile in the heat. "Yes, I'm doing this!" I thanked God, and I felt exhilarated. It was all because a stranger inspired me.

 

I thought of the Scripture passage: "...let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16. I thought of the people in church I've come to know and the charitable works they do. I thought about the Christians I've known over the years who follow the Lord and do mighty deeds. I am inspired by them, and and I want to join with them in doing good for others and giving witness to the goodness of the Lord. They let their light shine, and God is glorified.

 

Milo teaches me to slow down and appreciate the beauty of nature around me. This is a gift. To run or to walk at my own pace (to be able to walk at all!) is also a gift. It does not have to be one or the other. It can be both.

"Okay, Milo. I'm getting the leash. Let's go for a walk." (Maybe later I'll go for that run.)