Friday, May 20, 2011

May Update - Appreciating New Strength

There is no better way to appreciate new strength than to be forced to rely on it.

We were on our way to the gym to do a little running and swimming, when the truck broke down on the highway.  As I was on the phone with Triple A, I realized that my stomach might not be able to wait until a friend came to get me; I needed a bathroom ASAP.  So I handed the phone off to hubby and started walking to a fast food resturant I knew was about 3/4 mile away.  I did accept a ride to speed things up, but I declined her offer for a ride back, as it would be easier for my husband to find me if I was on the side of the road where he expected me to be. 

I started walking back, and my hip predictably started bothering me, as I was wearing shoes more friendly to keeping my feet dry in the wet than keeping my body in alignment.  It was warm enough that when I reached the nice flat shoulder of the highway I took off my shoes and walked sockfoot.  As I was walking sockfoot down the highway, with no husband in sight, no wallet, no phone, I contemplated that if I had to walk the five miles home I could.  I was filled with gratitude for my new strength, and happily moved up to a run for a few paces a minute.

I walked the 3/4 mile back to find hubby planning to ride to the garage in the truck, and had arranged a ride for me back at the resturant.  So I got my phone from him and turned around and went back.  My friends met me half way, and drove us up to the garage to pick up hubby, and then off to us treating them to dinner at an old haunt. 

On the way to the garage, we passed the Lilac Festival, where in a prior year I had struggled to get from parking to the festival, and then just found a place to sit and rest and recover, missing most of what I had gone to see.  I have come so far.

Thankfully, in the truck were my proper running shoes, so I put them on, leaving my others in my friend's car.  No point in staying in stay-dry shoes when your feet are already wet!

Our old haunt had moved from it's prior location into the middle of the entertainment district downtown.  One friend was a bit put off by the idea of the long walk from available parking to the resturant, but even after my little jaunt I was jogging ahead and doing much better than my former mode of just barely keeping up. 

Despite a bit of trouble, I had a wonderful evening.  I'm so greatful for my new strength and the likelyhood that it will continue to grow over time.  My feet unleashed from ill-fitting and restrictive shoes are learning just what they were designed to do and adding to my strength instead of draining it away.
Psalm 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.
P.S.  In case you're wondering, the mechanic called.  The truck is not too badly off and I should have her back today.  Praise God!