Angels Unaware

Hebrews 13:2 "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

I've always loved this verse, it's one I love best in the KJV.

I had this experience Friday night. Steve had a race this weekend in Ottawa, Kansas. We went up Friday night for the pre-race briefing and dinner and to pick up his race packet. With a 6:00 a.m. start time and 30 degree temps in the morning, we didn't want to go early Saturday. 6:00 a.m. is early enough. We had said we weren't going to stay for the guest speaker, but dinner was before him and the packet pick up after so...

We went in to the room and picked the table behind Steve's running pal Elden. There were 3 gentlemen at the table, obviously not together. The conversation wasn't moving really well, but I love people and I love to hear about their lives so we exchanged first names and dove into dinner and conversation.

Quickly became between Steve and one of the men, the other two were so willing to bow out of talking. Obviously so. As David talked about teaching and running and running and teaching I asked where he taught. He says " in a classroom, with students". My smart alec self had all kinds of responses, but the grown up in me held my tongue. I didn't answer. Eventually he challenged me on letting it go and I simply said "I'll google you", as I was holding my phone and already put his name in the search engine.

Found out he teaches exercise physiology and running groups at Liberty University. Christian University. A couple of friends have kids who've just graduated from there. I love when I meet believers, anyway.

We talked and laughed and had a wonderful time. He was truly a remarkable man, christian man, investing in the youth of today, and a phenomenal ultra-running legend. In the world of ultra-running, pick a bad a$$ race and he has completed it.

When he stood up from the table he looked at Steve and I and told us it had truly been a special evening. He couldn't remember the last time he had that much fun. He went up to speak and actually shared some of our conversation. I will remember David Hornton and this pre-race dinner as a very special night.

It made me remember something my mom always told me whenever I talked about someone who was an instant friend or whom I had extreme conflict with. "The spirits inside you recognize each other".

I do need to extend this kindness to strangers further in my life. Because they may be angels, but if they aren't, they may really need some kindness.

Jesus doesn't want to change you

I read this the other day. A person who was living a life style that evangelical Christians don't agree with. In support of his lifestyle, putting down the evangelicals. I'm not taking sides or speaking out on this issue.

What I found interesting was his comment at the end of his rant, "Jesus doesn't want to change you."

Really? REALLY?

Woman at the well "go and sin no more" CHANGED

Saul killing Christians - met Jesus on the road became Paul, CHANGED

Abram met God, entered a covenant with him, became the Father of many nations, a father so late in life it was deemed impossible, and given a new name - CHANGE

The Scriptures are full of people that when they met Jesus had a radical life change.

The world today is full of people who met Jesus and had a radical life change.

To use the statement "Jesus doesn't want to change you" is totally opposed to the Scripture Philippians 1:6 "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

I believe that if you truly meet Jesus, if you truly know Jesus, that your life should be one of continual change. Continuing to seek him. No one ever meets Jesus without change. He died on a cross so he could orchestrate change in our lives.

Anti - aging

I have decided I'm ready to age gracefully.

I will still dye my hair.

I will still use moisturizer and wrinkle cream.

I will not wear polyester.

I will not wear my hair old woman style.

But I don't believe now (or ever) that youth is better.

I like where I am in life.

I like the freedom of my children being grown.

I like the confidence I have in myself.

I like where I am in my career.

I have enjoyed every stage of life. There were times I didn't exactly like life, but it's been good.

I would not go back to 18, been there.

I would not go back to 21, done that.

I would not go back to 30, I was so busy with work and kids and family that I don't remember that.

I got to be young.

I got married.
I had my babies.
I've had great times (and some struggles).

I'm happy with where I am, and where I'm heading.

Who decided youth was better?

Who decided aging was a bad thing?

I'm pretty dang happy with my life.

I'm going to enjoy every minute of where I am, and no apologies for getting older.

This whole "anti-aging" industry? I'll use what I want of it, but I even like my laugh lines.

Yep, I'll use their wrinkle cream, but I'll enjoy my wrinkles while I rub it in!

I didn't want to get hurt

I was talking to my nephew the other day about registering for the Hard Charge obstacle race coming up the end of April. He said he decided not to do it because he "didn't want to get hurt".

I thought this was kind of funny, being the non-competitor I am. I do my best, push myself, but always stop well ahead of hurting myself. I figure I can control that to a large extent by not pushing too hard. I could still get hurt, but I can slip in the bathtub too.

Then I realized that I do this with my emotional and mental life. I don't put myself out there because "I don't want to get hurt". I don't look at things cause I might see things that will hurt me.

I know all of Steve's passwords, but I rarely look at his email or facebook or cell phone. Because I might see something that will hurt. I don't think there is anything, in fact, I'm sure there is nothing to take exception too. But you know how it is, when you go looking for something, you can find it. One dumb example, he was emailing someone a lot and it was a woman. I didn't ask who it was, but it wasn't a secret, he wasn't hiding it, I could read it if I wanted too. It nagged at me. And when I finally asked, it was his cousin. She had the same back surgery he had and was giving him advice and things to check on.

So I don't go looking for things that will hurt. I don't do things that will hurt I'm basically the same as my nephew, and I snickered at him.

I don't think there is anything wrong with protecting ourselves from pain. Not at all. But if we don't put ourselves out there, we won't grow and learn. A pain free life would not be near as rewarding as learning to deal with the pain, grow from the pain, overcome, deal with issues, make relationships better and stronger. Push us out of what is comfortable. Push us into healing.

And we all need our healer.