Lessons from 10 Years on the Road
Lord willing, tomorrow I will finish 10 years. Let me explain.
10 years ago, I could not stand how I felt. While I had (and have) a minor medical condition, it was more than that. I had gained some weight. I was lethargic. To say I was out of shape would be an understatement.
So, on September 13, at 6:00 AM, I got up and went outside for a walk. The walk did not last long–about 20 minutes–, but I told myself that this was the beginning of something that I was going to stick with no matter what.
That first winter, I remember the day when I knew I was committed to this. I walked downstairs to go for my walk and checked the weather on my phone. There was a small snowfall on the ground (no big deal), and the wind chill factor was nine degrees…below zero. I made up my mind, right then, that this was the day that would prove to myself that I was going to take this seriously. I may have walked a little more swiftly that day, but it was a big deal to me.
Tomorrow, September 12, 2019, will wrap up the 10th year. I have walked six mornings a week, every single morning that I have been at home during that time, save for one week when I had the flu, and one Christmas morning (when I walked later in the day). While the location has changed, and I have started at 5:30 most mornings now instead of 6:00, these few minutes have become more than a routine for me. They are important minutes in my day for more than health reasons. For right at 35 minutes each morning, I put one foot in front of the other, and just walk.
But as I walk, I also am learning. So, today, I want to share with you a few reminders I have been given over these 10 years on the road.
- The early morning is good for reflecting on God. There is just something about a fresh new day that helps focus my mind on Him. As creation wakes up around me, it just helps me start my day by thinking of Him and praying to Him.
- God is faithful. For about 8 or 9 months out of the year, part of my walk will include seeing the sky get brighter or even part of a sunrise. The other part of the year, it is dark when I walk, but I still know that sunrise will come. Every day. Because God keeps His promises and, so long as the world stands, there will be sunrises and sunsets.
- God’s creation is amazing. Walking in Nashville, Haleyville, and now Paducah, I have seen beautiful trees budding and flowers blooming in the spring. Deer, squirrels, rabbits, birds, and more have been companions on my walks. Even thunderstorms or snow showers have caught my attention (and, at times, forced me to walk under a carport or garage). His handiwork is everywhere if we will just look for it.
- These minutes are great times for learning. Part of what I do most mornings while I walk is listen to podcasts. It is a good way to start my day, to learn something about the news, the Bible, leadership, or (sometimes for fun) basketball. Because the world around is so still, it seems easier to absorb the information with so few distractions.
- Material things wear out. As you can imagine, in 10 years, I have gone through several pairs of “walking shoes.” When the soles of those shoes basically wear through (and a couple of pair have worn completely through), it is just a small reminder that the things of this world are not meant to last forever.
- I am blessed. This all started because I needed something to change. I was not caring for the physical body God blessed me with as I should. While I will never be a billboard for great health, these 30-40 minutes every morning have reminded me that my body is a blessing from God, but as I walk through the neighborhood, then come home to a nice house with a wonderful family inside, I am reminded again and again of just a few of the blessings God has given me.
On Friday, year 11 begins. I pray that the lessons I learn each morning continue to grow. More than that, though, I pray that I am always walking with my God.
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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
