Posts that reference the book of Hebrews
My Brother Youcef
Attacked While Running
I’m typically cautious when I run. I don’t use headphones so I can hear everything around me. I make sure I’m visible. (My favorite black shirt is retired for the season because it’s so dark in the mornings now.) I carry my cell phone, and I really watch the pavement for uneven spots. I was not prepared to be attacked.
Yesterday, I headed out, ready to conquer my ‘southern’ route. Early out the road dips down toward a creek between the grade school and a wooded park. (It’s nice to get that hill out of the way.) I had run the downhill side and was just about to start up when I got hit on the top of my head! My first thought was that it was a bat – a fat, clumsy bat, maybe. I didn’t see anything though. I hoped it wasn’t somebody in the woods throwing rocks at me. Finally, I decided it was something from the trees, a piece of bark or something that seemed bigger than it was because it surprised me. Okay. Whew.
Then it happened again!
And this time I saw it. An owl. A good-sized owl had thumped me. (I say ‘thumped,’ because there were no talons involved. Thankfully!)
After a little investigation, we found out she’s a barn owl, and a regular ‘thump-er.’ At least three other runners have encountered her. The Department of Natural Resources tells us that in a few weeks – maybe when her babies are bigger or gone – she won’t be as aggressive. Even so, this morning… I changed my route. Just to be safe.
So, what’s the lesson?
Even if you think you’re cautious and well-prepared, attacks can come from the most unexpected places and using the most unexpected means. I’ve seen plenty of deer, dogs and even one skunk on my morning runs, but it was the owl that got me. We can be prayed up, studied up, tight with God and that doesn’t exempt us. Don’t be surprised or dismayed. Which brings me to my next lesson…
Keep running. Granted, I checked more than once to make sure I was just sweating and not bleeding, and I was really jumpy for the rest of the run. but I kept going. I ended up making both my marks for distance. I didn’t let the attack prevent me from reaching my goal.
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NLT
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1 NLT
Study Tip: Learning about Ourselves
Bored?
- Diligence – "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might…" Ecclesiastes 9:10
- Humility – "But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” Romans 9:20
- Gratefulness – Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:8
- Contentment – "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have." Hebrews 13:5
- Perspective – "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." Colossians 3:2
Help Needed
A few evenings ago, I was snoozing through whatever non-Disney Channel show happened to be on, when I heard rustling… and struggling… and fussing. The sounds of utter frustration. So I blinked myself awake enough to follow the sounds and found my son's sheets stripped from his bed, new sheets in a wad, and Alan had had enough. He tried and tried and tried and he could NOT get the fitted sheet on that bed.
"Did you ask for help?"
"No."
"Do you want help?"
"Yes."
I picked up the fitted sheet and we had the bed made in a few minutes.
"Thanks for your help, Mom."
"Anytime."
While I could discuss the miracle of a 9 year old boy changing his own bedsheets, I want to focus on his aggravation.
I saw myself in Alan's struggle. How many times do I wrestle with a problem, growing more frustrated, more discouraged all the time when help is readily available. I have a great High Priest who sympathizes with my situation, whatever it is.
"Did you ask for help?"
"No."
"Do you want help?"
That's where I fail. I set a false standard for what I 'should' be able to handle, and what is an acceptable difficulty level to warrant reinforcements. I stubbornly refuse to ask, determined to handle things myself. That's stupid.
I don't have to struggle. I just have to ask.
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