In Retrospect

A bridge in Minneapolis I
ran across.

The past two months have been a whirlwind of activity. I contemplated putting all of it into one post, but since no one in their right mind would read a 10-page post, I've decided to creatively summarize it for you all.

The theme of the past nine months of my life have been running. I've run more in the past two months than I have in a long time. So instead of sharing a long-winded report on what I've been doing, I've decided to use my top ten running songs to illustrate the highlights. I've also included pictures with captions so you can see some of what I saw over the past month as well.

Here they are, in no particular order:

Forget and Not Slow Down Relient K

This song is the first song on my running playlist, which makes complete sense because it sets the mood for the entire run. This month particularly, over and over again, I needed to be reminded not to dwell on those mistakes, sins, and hurts that I had made, to embrace the grace found in Jesus Christ, and to continue running forward. There were many tired nights, in between the driving and flying and visiting people, where I would lie flat on my back and remember all of the mistakes of the day before. In those moments I needed the reminder to get back up and walk confidently into the next day, not in my own strength but in the strength of the One who loves me enough to die for me.

Sahara Relient K

I know how to pick some winner songs. If you are unfamiliar with this song, it tells the story of a man who acts in his pride and consequently falls from grace. I've needed this song, because there are so many times when I find myself in the same place as this man, knocked down by my sin, and asking God to "take these bones and bring them back to life."

I need the grace of God. Every hour of every day I realize my desperate need for the life He gives in Christ. And this past month was no different. I went and visited a friend in Minnesota. The week leading up to it I was working every day, late hours or weird hours, and I was exhausted. The evening before I flew out found me frantically stuffing a suitcase full of what I thought I would need. I hadn't given much thought to what I would like to do when I got there. I hadn't given much thought to what

I would say to her. I was out of time and out of ideas. All I could do was pray and beg God that somehow He would make the time good. I had nothing left, and what I had had wasn't all that great to begin with.

God answered my prayers. Not only did the suitcase get packed, but I had one of the best trips I've ever had. I realized I didn't need to have the conversations or the activities figured out; I really just needed to be there. The conversations came of their own accord; every day was a new discovery, whether it was navigating the bus system, poking around in the bookstore, or walking around her city block. And I was able to experience all of it with one of my best friends. 

God makes dead men alive, and He showers blessings upon them.

Run With Me Humming House

This song lands right in the middle of my running playlist. I accidentally put it exactly where it needed to be. At the point where this song starts playing, I've hit the 5-mile mark. I've been working really hard for the past five miles and my muscles feel it. Then this song starts to play, and it is almost as if I forget how hard I am working. My feet pick up their pace a little bit, I smile to myself, and I let myself really enjoy what I am doing.
I know that sounds like insanity to most of you all - after all, how can anyone enjoy running, especially after they've already run five miles?
My answer is: I don't know. I just know that I do. Maybe it's insanity, maybe it's endorphins, maybe it's grace. Maybe it's a bit of all three.
This song was a lifesaver during the half-marathon. I ran far enough that day that I went through my running playlist and then some. So I got to hear this song twice. And it couldn't have been timed more perfectly. The second time this song came on, I was in the middle of the twelfth mile. I was exhausted, my feet hurt, and it was a mental game just to keep moving.
And then this song came on. Even after running those twelve miles, after abusing my legs and knees for over two hours, my feet still picked up their pace and still I smiled. Yes, in the midst of the struggle and the pain, fighting the despairing urge to stop and walk just once, I still persevered and found joy in it.


Sometimes God makes us run a half marathon in the rolling hills of life. We reach mile twelve and we think, haven't I done enough? Can't I stop now? It hurts...
And right when we think we've reached that point where we can't take another step, can't go over another hill, God gives us the strength and energy and hope to keep running. Just a little farther...
And we run joyfully to the finish line.

Hitch Hike Humming House

I put this song on this list because it's extremely upbeat and one of my favorites, and gives me another burst of energy to keep running. Probably because I like it. Not for any other reason. 'Nuff said.

Young Enough to Try Humming House

I could extrapolate some truth from this song about how young I am, and how this song encourages young people like me to keep going. But I won't, because that's not why I like it. I like it because it has the same affect on my running as Hitch Hike and Run With Me. I guess I also like the encouragement to keep going, especially when I'm running and I really want to quit. This song is towards the end of the playlist, and it begins playing at the moment when I really just want to stop and walk. This song starts playing and all of a sudden I can keep running a little farther.

Free Switchfoot

I really like the band Switchfoot. Quite a few of their songs are good for running, so it was hard to pick my favorites. I chose this one because the entire song is a plea to be set free from the grip of sin and death. The song reminds me of Romans 7:24-25:

"Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

The past couple of months I have found myself wrestling with my sin and wretchedness. There were whole days where I felt that everything I touched I ruined. This song was and still is a beautiful reminder that I have been set free from this body of death. That the woman I was is not the woman I am; that in Christ I have truly been redeemed. When I am faced with a day where everything I touch turns to dust, I remember that the same grace that redeemed me covers those things as well. I can rest confidently in the grace and forgiveness found in Christ.

Bullet Soul Switchfoot

Minneapolis. I still haven't
gotten over the beauty of
this place. 

Most of these songs I have on this list because the song itself helps me to push forward even when I'm exhausted. This song is one of those songs. This one falls toward the end of the playlist, and gives  a very nice boost to my very tired self. I think this song, as well as the multiple others on this list that have the same effect, give a good example of grace. God gives grace to those who are tired and weak, ready to quit. Sometimes that grace comes in the form of a sermon, or conversation with a friend. And sometimes that grace comes in the form of a song that energizes you to push on in spite of physical pain.

Feather In the Storm Seth Lakeman

Another long walk we took.
I devoured the beauty of this
place.

This song tells a fantastic story. I have it on this list because this song never fails to distract me from whatever is going on with my body at the point it plays. This one falls at the very end of the playlist. At the point this song plays I don't have any energy reserves left; if any of the songs previously mentioned were to begin playing, I wouldn't have the ability to pick my pace up even if I wanted to. At the point where this song plays I need a diversion. I need to come outside of myself and focus on something else. I need a distraction. This song accomplishes that by telling a very gripping tale about a shipwreck and a daring rescue. I've always loved a good story, and I can and will very easily forget my surroundings when caught in the grip of one. The last few miles are eked out through these kinds of songs.

Savannah Relient K

This song makes me grin no matter where I am or how I feel. It is a really adorable love song that makes you want to sing and dance along with it. Sometimes I do sing along, which is extremely uncomfortable when running. I would not recommend it, unless you can't possibly help it. Which is the case for me in this instance. This song is an instant pick-me-up. And it is the best love song ever. If you haven't listened to it, go do so right now. I dare you to listen to it all the way through without smiling.

This is the End Relient K

Because this is the end of this blog post. I hope you've enjoyed the somewhat rambling journey through my running playlist. Life hasn't slowed down for me since I began the month of October. I like to think it will soon. And yet, even as I keep saying that, I know that it never will; it can only go by even more quickly. 

I revel in the turn of the leaves
each Fall. This year was no different!

Through it all, though, God has given grace, rest, and peace. And I trust that He will do so in the weeks ahead, even if they do go by a little faster.