The Path Maker and Love Note Giver

I saw another deer on my running trails again last night. She was a beauty, standing and staring at me down the darkened path. Both times I've been to my new running park, I have seen a deer. I usually go in the cool of the evening right before dusk, so maybe that's when they come out. Or maybe there are just an extra abundance of deer there and it is very common to see them. But I like to think of it as God's little 'love note' to me. He loves to surprise me with them from time to time. Just to show off his creation and let me know he's thinking of me. I take it very personally because after all, he is a personal God.

I love this park. It is so serene and peaceful by the lake and the trails are ideal for me to train for the 10k I'm doing this year. I would love to just sit and take in all the beauty there, like the full moon shining through the trees. But alas, I must keep going and run, so I will be fit for the big race. The trails are perfect for running. They are fairly straight, wide with soft dirt and some pine straw, and hardly any obstacles on them. I tried some other trails yesterday morning at another park someone told me about. They were not conducive to a runner whose name ironically means "grace". They were very narrow, hilly and filled with tree roots, sand and gravel. All not good for this runner's klutzy nature. I had to watch every step I took, determining I was sure-footed with each stride. I was so afraid I was going to fall. I prayed and sang as I ran and asked the Lord to keep me from falling and sustaining an injury. Fortunately he answered my prayers and I left after only 40 minutes, miraculously still intact. I told myself I would never run on those trails again!

Why did I want to try new trails, when I had already found the perfect running trails, and had even seen a deer on my very first visit? Maybe for adventure, or maybe I wanted to make sure I was using the very best ones. I had to compare. Whatever the reason, I learned my lesson; fortunately, not the hard way! And so last night I returned to the better trails and even received my little 'love note' from God, as if he was saying, "This is your path I've given you. Run the race here."

Why do I seem to sometimes want something better? Or make sure that I'm taking advantage of the very best there is to offer, only to find out it's not what I thought it would be? I need to take the path he's given me in this life. It doesn't always have to be the hardest one. He sometimes makes the path smooth and at times will give us love notes along the way, though not always. I was told there is a harder trail at this park. It is much longer and more difficult. I may have to take it sometime, but I know that it will eventually lead me back to the wider, less difficult path and to the peaceful serene lake, where the deer come to drink.

My dear Jesus, thank you for the love notes you give me on this path you have made and put me on. I've tried other paths at times and you've kept me from falling. Or when I have fallen, you have helped me up and put me back on the one you created for me. You are so faithful and give me the strength to keep going. And give me little surprises and the beauty of your creation and presence along the way! There may be some long and difficult paths ahead, but I won't worry about those now. I'm just going to do what you said and just take today's path, one sure-footed step at a time, singing along the way.

I love you my Path Maker and Love Note Giver,
Your Ragamuffin Girl.