And I Would Walk 500 Miles...

Yesterday, Sunday, February 1, Sharon and I walked 13.1 miles in just under 4 hours, which was our goal. The actual time was 3:56:15. Sharon's sister, Anita, came in just behind us, also under 4 hours. It was Anita who first asked Sharon if she'd like to walk this half marathon. Sharon, in turn, asked if I would join them so we could do this together. Early in the process it was clear that my long legs would be a decided advantage. About the second week, Sharon sent me on ahead to join those who could walk at a quicker pace. Not wanting to have the discussion at that moment, I went on ahead. Later that day I reiterated my commitment. I had no real desire to get up early each Saturday morning to walk for several hours. What I did have a desire for was time with my wife where we could share an experience that benefits us physically but would also provide a venue for those leisurely conversations out of which we often discover things about ourselves and each other. The walk would not be leisurely, but the dialogue would be.

Late last week, Sharon and Anita asked if I wanted to walk at my own pace (about half a mile an hour faster than they walk) the day of the race. I once again emphasized that I didn't sign up to compete, I signed up to converse. As we neared the finish line, Sharon and I were about a half a block ahead of Anita several times and slowed down to allow her to catch up. Anita encouraged us to go ahead. Sharon turned and said, "We started this together. We'll finish it together." And we did.

Once again life meets truth. My life verse is found in the section in Ephesians 4 where Paul basically says, "If everyone ain't mature, ain't none of you mature." That goes so counter to our individualistic society, but it is at the core of the Kingdom society. It doesn't mean that some will not have advantages over others in certain areas. It means we are all in this together (go ahead, break into the chorus from High School Musical). That will mean that some may have to slow down while others may have to go faster than they otherwise would have. Anita is a great source of encouragement and training ideas. Sharon and I benefited greatly from having her on our team. And Anita benefited from our setting a faster pace. Together we trained and together we reached our goal of finishing under 4 hours. Could I have gone faster? Yep. But it wouldn't have been nearly as satisfying or fun.