Yesterday's run was in Carnesville, GA. I do not usually run there, but from my observation, there are not too many stroller safe places to run. I usually run the parking lot of the Rocky Ford Rec Center, but for this run, I decided to be adventurous. I left Carnesville Elementary and headed up Rocky Ford Road (the hills almost kill me every time), then took a left onto Roebuck Road. The plan was to turn back at the end of Roebuck and do it all over a few more times, but I just kept going, despite what my mama would say about me pushing the double stroller on the highway. The short period of time that I was on Highway 145, making my way to Stone Bridge Road, I was hoping that noone I knew would see me and tell my mama. I ran that part really fast. I could just hear my mama yelling at me....and anyone who knows MawMaw can just hear it now....
After last summer's near death experience with the angriest dog in Franklin County, I usually carry pepper spray, and a BIG stick! About a mile into the run, I realized I forgot my pepper spray. I made the choice to keep going. I turned onto Stone Bridge Road, eyes and ears open for ferocious dogs. At the beginning of Old Busha Road, I heard a large dog barking in the distance, but thankfully it was chained up. With each house that I approached, I tried to determine the likelihood of whether or not that house looked like a "killer dog house" or not... I am not even sure what qualifies a house as a "killer dog house" but still this replayed in my mind with each house I came to.
As I approached Manley Street (which I had to consult a map to find the name of because I never knew), I wondered if my sister remembered the time when I ran over a cat on that road when I was high school. I was going faster than I should have been, with my sister in the car (don't tell my mama, please). I ran over the cat, then when I looked back in the rear view mirror, the cat was laying there in the middle of the road, staring at me. Only it was most definitely dead. It was somewhat traumatizing. I remember feeling very sad about my lack of responsiblity and about making my sister sad. I can't remember if my little brother was in the car or not....
So, as I turned left onto Manley Street, a dog immediately ran out and started barking. Once you have faced a near death experience by a dog, the sound of barking strikes a spine tingling, stop dead in your tracks kind of fear in you. I stopped, grabbed my stick and began to assess whether or not this dog posed a real threat or not. This whole run, I had been working out my dog attack plan of action in my mind. Obviously, my first priority would be to protect the kids, so I figured I would push them off the road into some bushes (I thought the bushes would protect them). With the stoller to my back, I would heroicly fight off the vicious dog (s) by whatever means were necessary.
So, here I was, faced with a decision. I actually started backing up with the intent to just turn around and head back. Honestly, the thought of pushing the stroller back up all those hills helped me make my decision to continue. I decided to "man" up on "Man"ley Street (I get my sense of humor from my Daddy). And, the dog was not really that vicious and it actually never even came near me. I continued on, and just past that house, was the most beautifully quiet stretch of road with towering trees on either side, gorgeous pasture land with unsuspecting cows lazing and grazing. It was so nice that I had to stop for reflection and to take a picture.
This was the kind of scene that makes you glad to live out here, in the country. This was the kind of scene that shows you the goodness of the God who created it. This was the kind of scene that reminds me of why I love to run, for the love of the road, for how it makes me feel strong, for how it gives me one on one (plus 2 kids) time with God, for how it clears my head and shows me what is truly important in life, for how it shows me that we live not for the here and now, but for life in eternity with the One who created all things.
I ran slowly through this stretch of landscape, revelling in my quiet thoughts of peace and hope and joy, and of promises answered. Upon further reflection, I saw how the fear that almost overtook me and made me turn back, would have caused me to miss this! I saw that just on the other side of a dog that at first seemed more vicious than he really was the blessing of God's reminder that He is always near me. I know we should always use common sense when it comes to danger (I can hear my mama saying "God gave you common sense to use, Chan") , but in this particular instance, my blessing was waiting on the other side of my fear! Never mind that immediately, and I mean IMMEDIATELY after this stretch of road, Merritt decided to poke holes in the weather cover of the stoller and basically ruin it..... But, you know what, that did not take away from the beauty of a moment spent with God that I very easily could have missed!
This has prompted me to go back and read Joshua, to remind myself of how my fear and my discouragement can keep me from the greatest blessings and promises God has to offer!
My advice to you comes to you courtesy of Joshua 1:9 "This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
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