I challenged myself to run in the Amboy 5K run on March 12. I figured it would be cold, but had no idea that it would be below freezing with ice on the road and a stiff wind blowing from the West. When I woke up early that morning to get ready for the men's Bible study, I looked out the window and thought I wouldn't follow through with the pre-paid running committment. Besides, I had been on vacation the entire week and I shouldn't take a chance at hurting myself a couple days before going back to work.
For some reason, I went ahead and dressed for the run anyway. I decided I would wear my older shoes so I wouldn't get my recently purchased running shoes slushy wet. The old shoes barely had any traction left on them. In the back of my mind, I thought, this would also be a reason why I should back out of the 5k run.
Off to the Bible study I went. Upon arriving, I had talked to some of the guys about what I was going to be engaging myself in about an hour and a half away. They all sounded shocked and agreed that it wasn't worth injuring myself. Besides, who could run on ice without any tread on their shoes.
I ended up leaving Bible study early to make it to Amboy in time to find a parking space and register (or at least see if there were any other crazy people who were committed to run this race). I even thought I might find a sign on the door that said the run had been canceled due to inclement weather. Upon arriving at the park, I noticed there were quite a few people who were warming up and ready for the run. Some dedicated runners even wore what I would consider summer running attire. Were they crazy? Was I crazy? I was still not convinced that I would run.
I parked as close as I could and walked to the building where I could pick up my number and gloves (At most Norris runs you receive a t-shirt. At this run, they hand out gloves). When I walked into the building I found several people huddled together keeping warm. When I entered the room to look for my number, I saw Mark Linna. He was encouraging to me to run, but had also mentioned that his support team (Thomas) had chosen to be indoors at a camp event instead of braving the cold with him.
I found my number, pinned it on and then took my "new gloves" back to the truck. Here, again, was another test. Would I get in and drive away or would I stay committed to running the race? There were about 15 minutes before the start of the race. I dropped off all unnecessary stuff in the truck and headed back for the race.
When I got back to the park area, I noticed Jeanette Merritt. She and I had talked about how we tried to talk ourselves out of running, For some reason we were here.
We lined up at the starting point jumping up down to keep our blood from freezing over and waited for the start. Finally after the signal was given. The race was on. I started running at a mild pace, thinking that I was going to be the only one who falls down and break a bone or tear a ligament. While I was intensely concentrating on every step as my treadless shoes hit the partially iced over pavement, I heard a guy behind me breathing. He eventually caught up to my speed and ended up not passing me.
After a minute or so of running to my left side he turned to me and said "This is my first run." He proceeded to tell me that he was in training for a "Golden Glove" which I think has to do with boxing. He had mentioned later that he wanted to become a professional boxer. After sharing some general information about our involvement in running he introduced himself to me. "My name is Carter." He asked if I minded if he ran at my pace with me. I was okay with that. A little motivation from someone would be greatly welcomed at this run! We were approaching the one mile marker. To my suprise, I had kept my regular pace despite all the odds against me (icy roads, treadless shoes, cold wind).
Another discouragement hit when we made a turn heading West. Remember that stiff wind I mentioned earlier? We were now running directly into the wind. It felt that every time I took a step, the wind would cause me to slide backwards on the ice. Carter mentioned something about this as well, so tread on shoes must not have been that much of a help.
By the time we got to mile three, we could see the finish line. Carter had decided to kick it into high gear and took off for the end. As soon as I had finished and regained my breathing pattern I decided to find Carter and congratulate him on completing his first run without any walking. What happened next was beyond my being. I can only attribute my speech to God speaking through me. It wasn't at this point that God began to work. It was earlier in the morning. A gentle nudging, a persistent spirit that drove me all the way to the race. It wasn't in my own will that brought me all the way to Amboy to do something that in my mind was ridiculous.
Carter and I exchanged congratulations and then we begain to share more small talk with each other. Our conversation turned to our faith. I had asked him to share his faith background at which he proceeded to share his life story. Carter had grown up without a father figure in his life. He lived with his mom and respected his grandmother, who had been a committed Christian, but never found a group of other believers that she felt like she was a part. Carter had married at a very early age because of what he thought was love. He had two kids with this wife. Their relationship started to break up with time and he realized that he had made a mistake in understanding love. Sometime after divorcing her he moved in with his new girlfriend and his two kids. Soon after, a third child came along. Carter and his girlfriend were attending a church where they felt accepted. He said that he and his girlfriend had felt convicted in their life style to make things right and commit to marriage.
When they approached the pastor of their church and explained their current life and how they wanted to make things right, they were refused a wedding. The pastor had said he does not want to have sinners like them in the church. I was amazed at such a comment. Evidentally, they found someone to marry them, but the troubles began with the church. People in the congregation begain shunning them and their once accepting group of people became the biggest reason why they are not currently connected with a church.
As you can imagine, this has caused quite a bit of bitterness and discouragement for Carter and his wife. Carter mentioned to me that he wants to do what is right, especially since he has three children who look up to him. He has stopped several things in his life and has committed to training and growing to become a better person.
Carter and his family live near a church in Peru. On Sunday mornings, if he happens to be outside when people are walking to church, he will be polite and say "Good morning," or "hello" but he said "those people just ignore me." Carter's life has been a rough life by my standards with a lot of odds against him. This sounds similar to running our race. We had so many odds against us, but we persevered and encouraged each other throughout the entire run. We ended up finishing the race.
Why has God brought me into Carter's life? Why has God brought Carter into my life? Only time will tell. I know that God allowed me to be at this race for this purpose. I can only rely on God to lead me in the next step. Does God want me to make a second contact with Carter, or do I only continue to pray for Carter and his family? Was Carter placed in my path to teach me a lesson? My mind is flooded with thoughts about this simple interchange with a stranger.
Lord, help me to be sensitive to your leading in answering these questions. I desire to do your will.
