With the temperature in the 80’s and humidity in the 70’s, last Friday’s run was extremely challenging. My goal was to run six miles, but I was ready to throw in the towel by mile three. Sweat dripped out of every pore on my body, and my time was extremely slow. Then, something wonderful happened. As I came out of the treeline and into a clearing, a breeze blew across my body. Not a stiff wind, but a gentle breeze that came and went. I said, “Thank you, God,” with a smile.

That breeze reminded me that I need to be connected to the Lord daily. I need to communicate with him and read his Word. Otherwise, I will be like the branch separated from the vine, and I will not bear spiritual fruit. The branch alone is dead; it is the vine that gives it life.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:5-8)

Feeling refreshed, I aimed at mile four. As I pressed on, I began a prayer of praise.

Lord, thank you for the heat; thank you for the cold.

Thank you for the sun; thank you for the clouds.

Thank you for the cool breeze; thank you for the still air.

Lord, thank you for the rain; thank you for clear skies.

Thank you for the snow; thank you for clear, crisp air.

Lord, thank you for the summer; thank you for the winter.

Thank you for the spring; thank you for the fall.

Lord, thank you for providing for my every need.

I kept running past mile four. Just before mile five, the air was still and heavy. I didn’t think I would make mile six. I stopped for a drink of water at the trail head fountain.

“What do you think, Lord? Should we go for six?”

I entered the trail and felt a breeze blow on my wet skin. “Mile six it is!”

I finished mile six, and although the running was slow, and there were a few yards of walking, it felt good to finish. Even more satisfying was spending alone time with my Creator, feeling as if we were the only beings in the universe. As I started my mile cool down walk, a refreshing breeze swirled around me all the way down Grace Drive.

A beautiful morning for a run, but I got started late, again. I started doing some chores, got ready for my run, and realized I hadn’t eaten. I didn’t want to bonk, so I ate something light and did a few more chores. The temperature was not as cool by the time I left the house, but the streets and Monon Trail were mostly shaded. I decided to run north on the Monon until I ran out of shade, which added another mile to my run, but it felt good. I enjoyed the birds and butterflies as I ran, praising God for His beautiful creation.

On the way back, I realized that my cool down walk included about a third mile of street that would be mostly in the sun, at this point. When I crossed the road and started down the street, a big, fluffy cloud covered the sun where I would have been in the direct sunlight. I smiled and said, “Thank you, Lord.” I had cloud cover for half of the street and a little shade from trees for the rest. Since I planned on blogging the event, I looked for the street sign to find the name, because I just call it the street to the Monon. I looked at the sign and it read ‘Grace.’ How perfect!