RUNNING WITH GOD

"Pain is GOD's megaphone. He whispers to us in our pleasure, but he shouts to us in our pain." C. S. Lewis


Rarely do we have a moment in our lives that we truly feel the touch of GOD. Some people go their whole lives without experiencing it. I, too, had never experienced it. You know GOD is there and you know His existence. I do, anyway; if you are a non-believer please indulge me. I have been a Christian since my early twenties, though not a very good one. The last few years of my life my walk with Christ has become stronger each day. I will never be the Christian I strive to be, GOD loves me none the less. It will be a glorious and wonderful journey. I'm not sure why I want to share this testimonial with you, it just feels like the right thing to do. So for all of my running friends reading this, it will come back to running. For all of my conservative followers out there I know you will understand. So here it goes!

Over the past few years with the recession we have struggled, cutting it very close one too many times. My business, being an extravagant extra, is the first cut in any household budget. So in 2007 the cuts started and we persevered. Though times were a little tough, Paula and I still continued to do our part with local charities. The Touched by Cancer Foundation and The Gillis Center were both encompassed in our Runners In Touch programs. We have a tremendous group of local runners who have helped out with these charities immensely. It is a joke between Paula and I that one day I will do something that will make money instead of give my time away. :)

This past year has been a blessing and a struggle. Isagenix (no this isn't a commercial) came into our lives and has helped financially and of course improved our health even though we thought we were healthy. Then I decided I wanted to start a running program for the kids at Gillis, which Paula was all for. She is an unbelievable partner in life and very tolerant of me. She always encourages me to follow through with my lofty ideas and my need to help others. Yes, it is a need that has always been with me in different ways. The last ten years it has been through charities that I have fulfilled this need. Anyway, about three months ago I reached a point of frustration; I was just tired of struggling. I told Paula I was going to get a night job to make things a little less stressful. She would have no part of that. She said it would take away from our family time and that I love what I do and we should have faith that GOD would provide. So I did as she asked and continued in faith. Now most of you out there KNOW that the average spouse would want the extra income. I don't say that to be mean, it is just the society we have become. I guess that is one of the many reasons our friends call her "Saint Paula," the main reason is that she puts up with me. :)

At the same time this was going on I was contacted by City Union Mission in KC. I had contacted them during Christmas of last year to see if I could help out in any way. I sent my resume and asked if they needed anyone like me to help with anything. I met with a couple of the directors there and we talked about me being the Volunteer Fitness and Nutrition Instructor for the men's 12-month program. I toured the facilities and talked with the staff and just felt I was supposed to be there. I told them that I would have to run it by Paula and pray about it over the weekend and I would contact them the next week. I called Paula on my way home and she could tell I was excited about the possibility of helping out at City Union Mission. I explained to her the situation and told her we would talk about it more this weekend. She asked,"What's is there to talk about? You obviously are excited to do this and feel GOD is leading you, so just do it." Don't you just love her! I said let's not jump too fast. We will pray on it and talk about it over the weekend. I really should always just listen to her. :)

We went to church that Sunday and wouldn't you know it Pastor Ron's message that day was sharing your GOD given gifts with other people! Of course, there was much more to it as he always has a wonderful message that inspires us every week! That was the meat of the message this day. Well, I can't really explain it but I will try. Something came over me at the end of the message and I was an emotional basket case. I wept like a little girl! GOD was talking to me in a big way. Not only did he open my eyes to the fact that Paula was right, there wasn't anything to talk about, but most importantly he reminded me of how blessed I am to have a wife like Paula who would sacrifice and forgo extra income and at the same time insist that I follow my heart and give time to strangers because I thought it was GOD's calling. Not only did I weep, but I was sweating like a Liberal in church. Sorry, that was for my conservative followers. :) This went on for about 15 minutes. A couple we know very casually came over and prayed with us and talked me through this menopausal moment. After I had calmed down a little my warped sense of humor kicked in. I must share and apologize ahead of time. I told Paula I was a menopausal bitch and that I need to go get in a fight to get some testosterone flowing through me. Her response was how could I talk so foul after have such a wonderful spiritual moment. I told her that is just who I am! :) The best part is, she loves me anyway and so does Jesus!

What does this have to do with running? My running is what opened my heart to give, starting with Team In Training. It has progressed over the years and I know it will continue until I can run no more. I only hope that other runners find a way to give back for all the wondeful funfilled miles they have covered. :)

Choose to Succeed
Koach Karl
http://www.koachkarl.com/