Again I have been so tardy with my posting. This is partly due to the fact I am not training for any particular race. Since postponing the marathon in April in lieu of our vacation I have dropped back on my mileage. It has been so nice not to be working and pushing myself training for a race. I have been running a lot but primarily just keeping a good base going (about 24 miles a week). The weather has been terrific and I have been running on the hilly trails near our home. This trail crosses over two main overpasses which I recently discovered are over 22 feet high. Whew! I knew those hills were hard for some reason. I love seeing all the promises of spring blooming on the bushes and trees as I run. I was meditating on Isaiah 55 recently, particularly verses 12-13
"For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace;
The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you,
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thorn bush
the cypress will come up, and instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up,
and it will be a memorial to the LORD, For an everlasting sign which
will not be cut off."
You might be familiar with the song that came from verse 12. It sticks in my head often when I am running. Like you I run year round so I get to see the changing seasons on nature. The trees and bushes turning from green to colors of red and gold. Then loose all their leaves hanging barren through the winter cold. Now the trees and bushes are pregnant with the hope of spring. In my mind it personifies these verses...deliverance, hope, joy, redemption. It is a reminder of God's infinite power, and faithfulness, and love to his people year after year, season after season.