“You sure have a unique stride there,” he says, gliding to a stop beside me on the path, sitting low-to-the ground on his three-wheel, aerodynamic bike. “It’s neat though, real neat,” he adds quickly.
“Yeah, it’s not the most efficient,” I agree, tucking a sweaty strand behind my ear and resting my hands on my knees to catch my breath as we wait for the traffic to pass. “But it gets me where I need to go.”
The cyclist was right. In fact, calling my stride “unique” is kind. The truth is, I don’t run with gazelle-like grace. I galumph, awkward and jaunty, more like a wildebeest in a tank top and Nikes.
Instead of kicking straight up and back, my feet swing out to either side in wide arcs. I nick my ankles so frequently with my own sneakers they often bleed, sometimes right through my socks.
…I’m writing about my imperfect running stride and my imperfect faith over at the Lincoln Journal Star. Join me there?
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I love this Michelle. I makes me think of the verse….”When we are faithless, He is still faithful.” It's all about Him anyway, huh, my friend! Blessings as you keep running toward Him. ~ jen
I always love what you write. But this? THIS? Spot on!! “the most important step in faith is simply entering the race” You my friend, have it together…probably more than you realize!
Oh I love that, Jen — running toward Him!
Thank you, sweet Mary. Love you, lovely lady.
I am so glad you get this opportunity at the paper. Your words are clear and your motives pure. It just radiates
Wow, David – thank you so much that. You are so kind!
Loved this, Michelle. Do you always rouse that commenter? Geez Louize. I'm hoping that by now, you fully understand that NOBODY is a 'perfect' anything. And that's just fine. But of course, I happen to believe that YOU are perfect. :>)
Enjoyed this post Michelle. The way you described your initial steps toward faith…interesting. When I first 'came to Christ', I thought it was all so amazing and beautiful and freeing—I just took hold of Him and ran with it. I was spiritually starving…and didn't even know it. It's been in the intervening years that I have encountered cynicisn, doubt, even verging on unbelief at times. And guilt! Did I mention the guilt? Yet He is forever faithful to His own. He continues speaking and wooing. Thank the Lord He is faithful, especially when we are faithless, amen?
Oh yeah, “Frankenstein” has commented on virtually every column since I started writing for the Journal Star 3 years ago…and he is always, always disdainful, critical and just plain mean. I used to get mad…now sometimes I don't even bother to read what he's said (it's always the same anyway).
I totally, absolutely get this, Jillie — the unbelief, the guilt…it's pretty much a continuous battle for me. But as my husband has pointed out, my questioning, grappling nature doesn't allow me to get complacent in my faith, and that, in the end, is a good thing.
For sure, Michelle. This is so true, what your husband says. I am seldom 'satisfied' with my 'walk' with Him. I often feel 'there must be more to this than I'm experiencing', and I want to better understand. To do what is necessary to delve deeper. To 'attain' to that closer union with Him. What really frustrates me is that cyclical up and down I so often find myself in.
You always make me think and smile at the same time….You rock, Michelle!
Michelle, I loved this. Especially the way you describe your gait when you run. I laughed out loud. You are such a great writer.