Life is an ultra-marathon.
To run fast run alone, to run far run together. Yep.
You may not run the Badwater race in California. That is one brutal ultra marathon!
You do have your own  marathon to run.  Your life.
And  it’s best to  keep moving!
And it’s best to do it together!
Sometimes we all feel weary and alone. Very alone. Â And very weary.
You may  be weary from the  care of  a chronically ill spouse or relative.
Or you may feel weary because a situation seems stuck. Â And, things just don’t seem to change.
Some people  use exercise gyms to get out of feeling weary.
An hour  of exercise bike, weights and stretching can remove the feeling of weariness.  For some, exercise helps to get the body ‘moving’.  Consider joining  gym for regular exercise.
Another way to exercise  — a  gentle way  –can be through gardening.  Aptos Community Garden has a few plots available. Call 831 688-5727 extension 2 and leave your name and telephone number.
Community gardening allows you to meet and connect with others.  And, you can  grow beautiful  flowers and vegetables.
We have families — biological and by groups we associate with by choice — where we can concretely practice mutual love  and support for one another.
You are not alone.
Remember those who came before you. Â There are those who came before you, ones who have run the race.
Christians refer to those who came before them as the “great host of witnesses”  of those who came before.  That host of witnesses  includes Abraham who believed by faith and had a son with Sarah in their old age.  David. Solomon. Elizabeth cousin of Mary the mother of Jesus. St. Augustine, Martin Luther.Dorothy Day. And others.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin what so easily entangles  us. .  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”  Hebrews 12:1
Who are the’giants’ in your life, the persons who have inspired and continue to inspire  you?
A book by  Malcolm Muggeridge titled A  Third Testament explores the spiritual wanderings of St. Augustine, Blake, Pascal, Kierkegaard, Tolstoy and Bonhoeffer.
That and other Christian books about “the host of witnesses”  are available at The Word Shop,  adbooks@aol.com  831 688 6607.
Through books you can  explore the spiritual wanderings of others who have gone before you.
Yes, your life is an ultra-marathon.  And to run far  — run it together.
One place to ‘keep moving’ and  practice mutual love  for one another is through a Christian community. And one such community is:
Christ Lutheran Church, Aptos, CA Â http://www.AptosChurch.org Â
 831 688-5727  10707 Soquel Drive,  Aptos, CA 95003   e-Mail:  office@AptosChurch.org
The above post written by Cameron Jackson  is a re-working of  the sermon  given  by Rev. Dale Solom-Brotherton, Pastor on August 28, 2016.  pastor@AptosChurch.orgÂ
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http://www.aptospresbyterianchurch.org/
 St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, Aptos, CA
Caregivers’ Circle:  Do you or someone you know care for a chronically ill spouse?  Yes  — that’s a tough, long , difficult ultra-marathon to run.
Come get support. Break the isolation. Â Say hello.
Starting Friday, Sept 16, 2016 at 1 p.m in Thomas Lounge at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Aptos, CA  there’s  a Caregivers’Circle to provide a safe haven for sharing feelings;  a place to learn new coping skills;  and to provide relief from isolation.
Run that ultra- marathon with others!
All are welcome. Please  RSVP to Karla Norton at karla_norton@yahoo.com —  that’s so adequate materials are available.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badwater_Ultramarathon
