NOLA

Yesterday (6/12) I left Freeport, FL and rode to Mobile, AL. Nice ride, hot, but no rain! This was a 1/2 way point for me to get to New Orleans, LA to meet up with my friend, Ann and her family. Ann and I were classmates at UNC Asheville, back in the early 2000s. We were both management majors. Since we were the non traditionally aged students, we often paired up for those horrid group projects, knowing we would both pull our weight. We both graduated from UNCA with honors. I was class of 2003, and she was class of 2005 (she took a year off and was at a slower pace to finish).

Today (6/13) I rode from Mobile, AL and arrived in New Orleans, LA (after the last 65 miles of pouring rain!) A thunderstorm came out of nowhere and the temperature dropped from 90 degrees to 73 degrees in about 20 seconds. While I much appreciated the drop in temperature, riding in the rain makes me tense. The extra caution, lack of perfect visibility, wet roads, standing water, etc… it just makes things a bit challenging. Doable, but challenging.

The rain finally subsided and I arrived at Ann’s. She and her husband Will have invited me to spend the weekend and chill. I hope to get back into rhythm so that I am riding Mon-Sat and having my no ride day on Sundays. Ironically, the last time I was at Ann’s house is when I came to New Orleans to officiate at her wedding. We have stayed in touch and I have watched her boys grow from a distance, but this is the first time meeting them in person. They are quite something. Her oldest is in marching band and made the drum-line as a freshman playing tenors. He has his sights on MIT. The other is in middle school with a highly creative mind, started his own D&D club and is an ace archer! 

I’ve been thinking the past couple of days about endurance and going the distance. In Paul’s First Letter to the Church in Corinth, he tells them “Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air…” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NRSV) Paul uses the metaphor of the runner when talking to the community about living in their faith, so as to endure for the ultimate reward of eternity with God. In his description, Paul also remarks that he doesn’t “run aimlessly,” nor does he “box as though beating air.” I find this is the part that speaks to me today, as I remind myself that trying to push beyond 300 miles on a day is too much saddle time. Sometimes endurance means pacing myself. 

Before I set out on this pilgrimage, I planned a route, knowing that things happen and routes get diverted, and rain happens, and roads are closed, etc… I’m not running (or riding) aimlessly, but with intention. I have no agenda other than connection and no purpose other than respite. I am not on “vacation” - in fact, for a sabbatical, that’s kind of a bad word. I am on a journey; a pilgrimage of rest, reconnection, and prayer. Yes, I have vacated my position for a period, but I intend to return with a fresh perspective and a clear head. In order to do that I need to pay attention to pacing myself.

Challenge to St. James: Run with endurance the race. Keep the faith (a little at a time). Remember that walking in the way of Jesus is a marathon and not a sprint. 

Challenge to Self: Don’t try to do it all in one day. Pace yourself. Let your faith be your guide and be led by the Spirit.