A Morning Run

The alarm slams me out of peaceful sleep. My hand reaches to turn it off as my heart begins to murmur: Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae...my prayers trail off as sleep claims me once more. 

I jolt awake. Thirteen minutes have passed. I need to go now. Flinging on clothes in the dark, slipping my feet into the unfamiliar enclosure of running shoes, I slide into the cool air that is lit by touches of sunlight. 



Plodding down the street, I breathe in deeply. Brisk air mixes with a slight tinge of cigarette smoke. I round the corner, and see my neighbor, who greets the morning from the chair on his porch. 

"Good morning."
" 'morning."

The neighborhood birds call out in greeting, too. Chirp chirp. Tweet tweet. Their voices blend with the rumble of cars and my pattering feet; a chorus to greet the day. I move under a canopy of leaves and see dogwalkers with their energetic animals. I inhale the crisp, light air. My throat begins to dry. Can I be done yet? I groan, grimacing at the timer I clutch with my hand. But alas, I've not even run for half my time-so I jog on. 

My mind begins to ruminate on the beauty, the variety, the extraordinary nature of the world that embraces me. My legs move robotically, at a snail's pace. I push forward, focusing my eyes on the path ahead, on the blue sky above, on the nature that surrounds me. I bring my heart to God, offering this beauty and struggle as a prayer. Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. 

At last, I round the final bend. I surge forward, hope rising in my chest as I spot our car. My feet tap our driveway, and I slow to a walk, breathing deeply as I gaze at my street. I may not have run far that morning, yet as I walk to the front door, I feel as if I'm returning from a long journey. This was such a fantastic way to begin the day, I think. Why don't I do this more often? 

If I hold the glory of the morning hours close to my heart, will I be motivated to shake off sleep and run in God's incredible creation? Furthermore, if I hold the beauty and joyful hope of Heaven in my heart and mind, will I be motivated to leave my sinful ways behind and strive for greater holiness and union with God?