Encouraging Eagle

I dutifully went out for a run this morning. I wasn't in the mood but, as my previous post pointed out, I knew I needed it. My health needed it, my body needed it and my mind needed it. There's something rewarding about taking the first obedient step. It could be in exercise, it could be schoolwork, it could be a distasteful task at work, it could be housework, it could be resisting that dessert or drink or pill. Whatever you need to follow or change or do - taking the first step leads to the second step then the third step and you are on your way.

Today, after I had taken around 300 steps I got another reward. I saw a bald eagle out of the corner of my eye. It was flying right at me. I stopped and it flew over me - only about 15' above me. It was beautiful. I felt like it was sent by God to encourage me for taking that first step out the door to exercise - even when I didn't want to.

It would be nice if we got a tangible sign, like the eagle, every time we took the first step and did the right thing. Life doesn't work that way, but we still need to take that step and the second and the third. It is easier to take each step when you have a friend along for the journey. When I lived in Eugene, my roommate Petrea and I, would go for an early morning run each day. Neither of us would've made it without the accountability of the other - the cold and the rain would've won.

These days, I have several paths where I can use a friend. How about you?

Maybe you and I can be that encouraging eagle (or more) to a friend, a co-worker, a neighbor or even a stranger.

"I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life." Proverbs 4:11-13