My wife Hilary knows me better than I know myself. Some may lag behind grace, my tendency is to stretch beyond grace!
When in New York City I love to run and pray the Brooklyn Bridge and the area where the Twin Towers used to stand. 911 is the gematria for grace.
On our last visit as a rather tired me was going out the door, Hilary said, “Back in an hour?”
Although that was going to leave me short of time for my usual run I knew my body was in agreement with my wife. As I reached Manhattan I realized I had only a few minutes to spare, however my competitive nature got the better of me and I pushed – beyond grace.
While climbing the gentle hill within a mile of home I felt a muscle pull in my left calf. I checked my watch. It was at exactly 1 hour. I hobbled home.
“I thought you had returned earlier” Hilary said. “There was ring at the door a hour after you left and I went down to answer it…..but strange – there was no-one there.”
It obviously was Double Witness.
While walking up the final hill Father had reminded me of a conversation I’d had with our son-in-law Joe the previous day. Joe was describing the merry-go-round keeper in Prospect Park. A stocky old German gentleman with a white mustache and military bearing. (At least this is how I remember picturing him) “He’s very strict” Joe said, “With parents and children alike” “But he has a glint in his eye….and that Merry-Go-Round must be the fastest in the country!”
I knew Father was giving me a picture of himself…..actually He’s much stricter than most people think. His laws are to be respected for they are are His laws and they are for our good….but He’s also far more fun than most people think!!!
Father does not want us to consult with Him only over the big decisions in our lives such as “Which College should I attend? or “Should I marry this woman?” Prov. 3:6 puts it well, “In ALL your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths, straight, smooth, good. pleasing, agreeable.!”
More strict, but more fun.
I remember 42 years ago when considering “Should I marry this woman?” I reverted to that old model of “seeking guidance” When heaven was as brass concerning an answer, I finally realized Father was saying with a smile, “You know in your heart what the answer is, don’t be so childish as to revert to mere external signs on this one : – )) Oswald Chambers puts it this way. “When we live so much in the consciousness of God, we do not need to ask what His will is, because the thought of choosing any other will never occur to us.”
P.S. I almost forgot about this story from a few weeks ago but then I overdid it again yesterday and when my calf started acting up I realized I needed to blog about the merry go round. I just bought a foam roller and thought as I arrived home. “I should try that out on my sore muscle.”
When I completed the run the “random” voice on my Nike app announced.
“Hi, This is coach Judy from the New York running club. Good run – now hit the foam roller!”
How I laughed with Dad in his discipline!