Headwinds

I had resolved to walk the dune trail at least once a day while we were at the beach. This morning we woke up to a stiff wind and light but steady rain. Mads suggested we go to the exercise room instead and do the treadmill. We discussed this for a bit, and then I put my foot down and told her to quit being a weeny and put on her coat. I, for one, would rather face the rain than the headgames involved in keeping myself on a treadmill for more than 30 minutes.

While we were cruising along soaking our backsides I was reminded of the time that I had not done so well on a test in college. It was a 400 level FSHN class on something to do with nutrition and disease. It was an interesting class, but the one lesson I learned that stuck with me for 15 years was after the first exam. Our prof spent the first 10 minutes of EVERY class lecturing us on study skills. I spent the whole 10 minutes wondering why he was telling us this when we were all seniors or grad students, did he give this lecture to his 100 level students? He had given us a six page study sheet for our first exam. I had taken notes and they did not reflect the same emphasis in the study sheet. I pondered which to study more. I took the wrong road at this point and went with the study sheet. I didn't fail the test, but I could have done better.

When we got the test back I was furious. I ranted for a few minutes to my friend Michelle, and then went storming off to have a chat with the prof. (Yes, I know where my kids get their bad attitudes.) By God's providence the prof had a third floor office in the building next door. By the time I had stomped to the next building and stomped up three flights of stairs I had a much different perspective. I realized that I hadn't been listening to the prof's advice on studying. I also realized I was a senior and I was being petty. I decided I should probably spend the next 30 minutes before class walking up and down these stairs and thinking about how diet affects metabolism of diabetics.

When I got back to class, Michelle asked what the prof said. I admitted that I didn't go give him a piece of my mind, I just ran the stairs instead. She laughed, she was also my workout partner. I studied my notes from then on. I'm not sure if I got an A in the class, but I know I did OK. I did learn to listen to the prof and to trust my notes.

When I get regular exercise it gives me much better perspective. It also gives me time to reflect on God, and what He does in the world. The headwind he gave me this morning made me think about Jubilee. She is walking in a headwind right now. Every step is a struggle, and it is easier if you keep your head down and just take one step at a time. There is a home up ahead, but I'm not sure she knows it yet. She doesn't have the hope of a cup of something warm and pleasant and a soft warm place to be. She just sees the trudging work that keeps coming at her. I hope that as she experiences some times of shelter, some times of rest, that it will give her the energy to press on. Ultimately God has to instill hope in her, which I know that He has. He doesn't leave us in the wind, he gives us rest.

When we finally made it home, wet, and chilly. It felt so good to get into dry clothes and sit on a soft couch. These periods of testing make us appreciate the times of calm. Instead of being bored with our exercise, or with our lot in life, we can be thankful for quiet times. Those headwinds remind us why we seek shelter and what a blessing it is.