Today, I went running for the first time in a really long time without the pups. After Tuesday’s 3 mile run and a dog yappy hour, Waylon has been limping a little bit. I’ve realized as much as I have been sitting over the past three years each week in class and commuting, I just want to run and be out and about. The pups are loving it, but I think I am wearing them out, too!
As I was running by myself, I realized after the first few turns that my running stride has become inextricably linked to Willie and Waylon. We have run so many miles and paths that directing them and having them to run with is a part of how I run now. It was very strange to run today and not have them look back over their shoulders at me to see which way we were going, and I like to think to check on me.
As I was thinking about this on my run, I wavered back and forth between “this is a great” and “this is really more challenging without them running with me.” Then I started to think about the ending to this seminary journey I’ve just celebrated with graduation on Monday and how my soul stride has been inextricably linked to my husband. Yes, I got in my car and went to seminary and I did my homework by myself, but without his steady pace and checking over his shoulder to make sure I was ok, there is no way I could have made it through my seminary run.
It’s easy to get to the point of being on your own or doing your sole striding in your daily activities and think you don’t need someone else or a community to stride with, but I think for the sake of your soul striding, you might want to reconsider. We weren’t meant to take this life journey on our own. We were meant to travel with people, hurt with people, and celebrate with people.
A year ago today, I was desperately looking for pulpit supply opportunities for the summer, hoping and praying that I would be able to preach more consistently. I was overwhelmed with the number of people who offered their pulpits and congregations to me because they believed I was called. Now, a year later, I have a wonderful community who has called me. They saw me as a pastor last August, but now after our 8 month journey together, they have called me as their pastor.
I am incredibly blessed that in my soul striding, I have a husband who wants to take this journey together and a congregation who is ready to run.