A Run

I am not a runner. I am however a person who runs. I do not love to run. Truthfully I don't really even like to run. But it is something my husband and I do together. Which is what makes all the difference.

So this week Tyson asked if I want to start running again and I smiled and said sure. Now there is a large gap between my physical fitness level and my husbands. Tyson is a professional fireman who wears something like 70 lbs of gear and has spent time in burning buildings. He also owns a landscaping business and works outside in all temps doing very physical labor. I walk our dogs daily and go at a leisurely pace for maybe a mile at a time. So for him and I run together in the heat I can run behind him for his 1.5 mile warm up or do the cool down with him but the middle 5 mile part in 90 degree weather would be the end of me;)

The beauty in this though is that when we run together he matches my pace. And he says encouraging things to me. And he just laughs when my response is a growl. because we run on main roads he runs ahead of me and I run behind. He sets the pace and I follow. He looks over his shoulder to check on me or to make sure  I'm still breathing. If I need to slow down or am able to speed up then he adjusts accordingly. He also puts himself between me and oncoming traffic. I can watch his feet (when I'm behaving myself;) and tell where there might be rough gravel or glass to avoid.

And even though I don't like running I like to run with Tyson. Cause when we run all I have to think about is my breathing and as he is breathing easily he tends to talk to me. And this gives me something mentally to latch onto so I'm distracted from the sweat running into my eyes and how much I just want to quit. And since I can't carry on a conversation while running, I simply listen. And I learn things. He will share what he is currently studying in the bible or what God is teaching him. Sometimes he talks about what's going on with the fire guys and how God is using him there. He will often share with me the things he is asking God to change in him. Whether its an attitude or an area that needs refining and I listen carefully so I will know how to pray for him better.

When I can't go any further he runs on and I cool down by making my way slowly and sometimes painfully home. But while I walk I talk to Jesus. And I thank Him for this man. For how he loves me and how he leads me.