Walking in my shoes

This year I was awarded a scholarship to the Sole Sisters.  This scholarship is specifically for women in transition.  I am intransition in several ways.  We have moved thousands of miles from Alaska to Michigan this year.  The reason for that move is because my daughter was born with health complications and she needs medical and scholastic care she can not receive in the location where we were living.

 

I have lived in a hospital thousands of miles away from my family with a newborn child struggling to live.  I have moved to a new culture and time zone.  In all of this I have clung to my faith.  

One interesting thing about running with the Sole Sisters is the area we are running in.  So far we have been running downtown.  It is very different scenery from the natural beauty of Alaska.  We do cross the river at one point though.  

 

What strikes me though, is the importance of community during struggle. There are several other scholarship recipients this year.  Although I don't know each one's story, I do know they are in transition as well. The thing about transition is that it can be stressful and unpredictable but often the person going through it does not let that show.  The Sole Sisters have been a community of support for me to run this race, even when I am against physical and elemental odds within my life at this time.  I actually think I can do this because of these ladies, and with God at my side!

Also, another thing this has brought to my mind is that one can never truly know what another is carrying unless there is vulnerability within community.  We often run under a bridge and I usually see several homeless people on my run.  What is their story?   How did they get there?   What about the other ladies running with me?   How did they get here?   It is exciting and inspiring to find the answers to these questions.  What will happen if we walk in each others shoes?   Live in community?  Grow together and encourage?  

Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”