just for me...

Have you ever stood still in a moment you felt God orchestrated just for you? 

Last night, I went for a walk / run. I say walk first because there was significantly more walking than running; but because there was SOME running, leaving it out entirely feels like I am choosing not to give credit to the very hardest part of my “exercise” regimen! And yes, exercise always deserves quotation marks when I am involved. I can hear my friend J right now muttering something about how I have probably only worn those tennis shoes once before - and in this particular case she would be wrong - but historically she has been right. I probably did buy those sporty kicks for a bachelorette camping trip that got cancelled and replaced with a beach extravaganza - but that’s another story for another day - Shalina was happy in the long run, but those shoes never did get their moment of glory. They were purchased at Nordy’s Rack by the WRONG GIRL. Anyway, I digress. I went for a walk / run and while I typically choose to listen to a podcast, last night I put on some Christy Nockels Christmas. It doesn’t have to make sense to you - but my goodness that is some BEAUTIFUL music and since I got home from Africa there are only a few things that speak to my heart like “The Thrill of Hope”. There is this delightful little path near my house that I can run TO and then walk along and last night that is precisely what I did. Typically the path is crowded with people - and if I’m honest, there is a little shame in my game. They all zoom past me dressed just right, rocking their thigh-gap from years of that running-life. I, in stark contrast, am sporting my hot-pink monogrammed t-shirt thanks to Carrielove and Cheryl while walking…with a little pep in my step, but it’s not exactly the definition of vigor. Last night the path was virtually empty (perhaps due to the poor air quality from the fires blazing in Orange County and all those choosing to protect their lungs, but I knew I needed to commune with Jesus on that path, so out I went) and it was amazingly freeing - it was truly worship. I watched the sun setting against the beauty of trees swaying in the evening breeze and I actually CHOSE to run. As my feet pounded against the asphalt, tears welled up in my eyes. I came up to the round-about where the path loops back around and pulled out one of my earbuds. I could hear the birds chirping and watched as a squirrel ran right in front of me. The ocean spanned the distance before me as the music gently echoed “O Come Let Us Adore Him… We’ll Praise Your Name Forever…For You Alone Are Worthy, Christ the Lord.” I had to stop. Right there. I looked up to the heavens with my arms raised and I turned around. I was entirely alone - with Jesus - in the midst of a moment it felt He had divinely orchestrated just for me. We were together in the midst of all of nature dancing around us. I felt wrapped up and enchanted by my King. The words seemed to leap off my lips “all for me - just for me?!” It was awe-striking and breath-taking and life-giving. I’m pretty sure I walk / ran the second half of the path faster than the first (though I didn’t all of the sudden become a runner, let’s be real folks, these thighs STILL rub together - it wasn’t THAT kind of a miracle) and the song is still lingering in my heart - I will adore You - and praise Your name - for You are worthy!