Feeling the Glo

I pulled into my driveway this morning at 2:30 a.m. after eight busy days, most of them spent at Glorieta Christian Writers Conference. I'm tired, but it's a good weariness--like after a backpacking trip, or raking the leaves.

One of the things that kept me going through the week was the enthusiasm of On-Ramp participants. This group of first-timers attended the pre-conference session taught by me and my friend Lee Warren, and all week long the group was excited to learn, to pitch, to soak up everything they could about the business and craft of writing. They spread the contagion around liberally, and I caught it.

I have much more to write about, a lot to ponder, and work to do. (There's always work to do after a writers conference). For those of you who prayed for my week, thanks. Your prayers were answered.

# 6172

I did the Detroit Marathon yesterday.

Now I hurt. My legs are sore. My feet feel like they have bone spurs at all the wrong places. I have a sunburn. My hands are red and wounded, my fingers are bleeding.

But it was all worth it. Because yesterday my daughter April actually RAN in the marathon, finished in just over five hours, and although she is stiff, she is probably less immobilized than her father, who only walked enough to find a place to set up his folding chair so he could see her run by a few times. April ran 26.2 miles. I putted around Detroit, probably racking up a mile or two, and I'm in pain. What's wrong with this picture?

My hands are a mess because of the clapping. Linda, Jon, and I clapped hard for April everytime we saw her run by. We also yelled, screamed, and Linda passed bananas along like relay batons. But before and after April swept past, there were other nameless runners in various stages of utter fatigue, running their hearts out, some quite literally, and we offered encouragement. It was the most fun I've had in a while.

There are so many lessons here; you'll probably hear them in a sermon or read them in an article, so I won't go into the details. But if you ever get a chance, go stand on the sidelines of a marathon some morning. Go with the express purpose of cheering some runner on to the finish line. See if it doesn't just make your day.

And a word for my daughter: You are simply amazing. I honor your committment and determination and endurance and stubborn will to see a thing through and turn around and say, "See? I did it!" Way to go, Ape.

Another Challenge

One post every six months. I'm going to try to break that pattern!

Here are a couple things to pray about:

I'm teaching at Glorieta Christian Writers Conference this year. My writing friend, Lee Warren, and I will be doing something new--a pre-conference called On-Ramp designed for writers conference rookies. I'm excited about the prospect of helping people get up to speed for the conference. I'll also be teaching several other classes. Please pray for a good week.

Also, our Royal Oak house is still for sale. We are now entertaining lease options. PLEASE PRAY FOR A SALE OR LEASE! We need to get this taken care of soon. Please ask God to guide a buyer, leasee to our home. Pray that this miracle would happen in spite of the economy.

Thanks.