As darkness swamped ATL the news continued to reverberate with updates from London. There our friends were reeling from another terrorist attack in the city. Such events almost seem ordinary, now. As our small planet has become ever more divided and filled with hate, anger, cruelty, and disdain. Ironically, we seem to be divided by the very things that should bring us together. We could make a better world for all, except we don’t. They say that love makes the world go ’round. So, I guess we no longer spin on our axis, but rather are standing on our head, caught in a trap that won’t let go — quicksand of the heart, mind, soul, spirit, and will, so to speak. As night gave way to day, the news was no better. More deaths, more uncertainties, more terrorists, more glee from the dark side, more tears, more anxiety, more fear, more of everything that those of us that were children of the 60s thought we had somewhat overcome. Such is certainly not the case this day. Morning has given way to afternoon and with resolute determination evil has dug in its heels.
Saturated with news of rampant evil, I turned off all media and sat in silence. It seemed easier to avoid and ignore than to face the realities about us. I suspect some of you may have done the same. But, in the silence came the reminder of chores to be done and kilometers to be run. Nah! Outside of my safe cocoon is a world of unknowns and uncertainties. Yet, the nudge would not let go! The nudge prods. The nudge pushes. The nudge says, “Lace-up those kicks! Journey on! Run on!” Finally, the nudge wins. Ever so slowly I begin to prepare for the journey, to exit to life on the streets. The real world awaits. You’ve been there, too!
I decide to run 5K and on the return address the chore list. It’s cool and breezy, but sunny. I lock the door and head out of the safety zone of Springer Street and into the bustling noise and traffic of Howell Mill Road. This will be an out and back run, with a few purposed hill detours. I breathe. I run.
As some of you know, since I found the first penny in the doctor’s parking lot on the day I received my prostate cancer diagnosis, I seemed to have been drawn to stray coins. That day, I said that the found coin would serve as a blessing reminder, even in the face of cancer. The coins are a reminder that everyday, in all things, in God we trust. Running south on Howell Mill Road, I paused at the light at Chattahoochee and looking down there to my amazement was a penny. I reached down, picked it up, and gave thanks to the Holy One for having nudged me out into the world.
Running at a bit faster clip than usual, I discovered my second find of the morning. A small round disc with a hole in the center. Some of my friends call them washers, and I guess such is the case. But, for me they mean something so much more. It was in late autumn, eighteen months ago, when my world would change again. I remember that day so clearly. You’ve had days like that, I’m sure, that are seared into the fiber of your being. Nothing I could do or say could undo the reality that I faced. Running that evening, with iPod playing in my ears, the old Christian hymn, ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus, began to quietly play. I ran, and ran some more, as the hymn played. Coming to a cross street, I looked down, and there at my feet was a small round disc, with a hole in the center (a washer). It was rusted and had obviously been there a long time. The falling autumn leaves somewhat hid it in the street’s gutter. But, to be sure, it was there and there for a purpose. My broken spirit was drowning in tears and hurt, when a nudge came to me and whispered, “That disc, it’s a reminder that you are Encircle By God’s Great Love. I will never leave you or forsake you. Trust me, even in the darkness. I am with you.” I suspect that some of you, too, have felt the hurt of brokenness, fear, separation, disappointment, medical trauma, unrealized dreams, and loss. Such hurts! Emotional pain can be more severe and longer lasting than physical pain. The old hymn that was playing gave way to a new tune, and who would believe it, Fernando Ortega was singing and playing, Give Me Jesus. The song said it all. I reached down, picked up that small round disc, rubbed it between my fingers, and standing in the darkness of night, prayerfully listened to the song, holding this newly found reminder disc. As the song ended, I realized for the first time that I was standing beneath a street light at that dark corner, but more than that, I was standing in The Light. At that moment, Niagara Falls had nothing on me. Indeed, I was standing at a life corner. I had to make the turn, but I wasn’t on the journey alone. I ran on.
It has been 18 months, since I found that first small round disc and 2 1/2 years since I found that first coin. Over and again, since those days, I have found blessing reminders and discs reminding me that we are Encircled By God’s Great Love. I have a few jars filled with those reminders. I look at them and give thanks!
Back to today! Who would believe it? It seemed as those the street had been strewn with small round discs, just as the Holy One had left manna for the Hebrews on their journey to the Promised Land. As I gathered the handful of discs, I received a nudge. It was as if someone was saying to me, “You didn’t want to get about the journey, today. So, I decided to inundate you with reminders that you are Encircled By God’s Great Love.” I picked up those discs as gladly as did the Hebrews pick up the manna. The only difference was they had baskets. I simply had two full hands.
The Holy One is like that. Two full hands outstretched in Calvary love. Two full hands holding us when we are sinking, thinking for a moment that we could walk on water. Two full hands uplifted in blessing. Two full hands touching and healing the broken and leprosy diseased parts of our life. Two full hands wrap us in hope when all seems lost. Two full nail-scared hands that open and hold us safe and secure in life’s dark moments.
The Holy One is nudging all of us, in the midst of the broken and depraved world in which we find ourselves on this day — from London, Paris, Lockerbie, Oklahoma City, Nairobi, Little Rock, Benghazi, San Bernardino, San Antonio, Chattanooga, Tel Aviv, Berlin, New York, Washington, Boston, and places in-between — nudging us to get about the journey. Run on. Run strong. You are not alone in the chaos. Finding the blessings — they are there, and remember that we are encircled by God’s Great Love.
StreetLife: A Runner’s Journey 