I have been faithfully running for almost 2 1/2 years now and I see many of my neighbors out and about in different seasons running, walking, and biking.  There are a few diehards that have their routine in place and don’t seem to be willing to compromise their exercise time.  They are less concerned about the weather or season and just do it anyway.

There is one such woman in my neighborhood who has been faithfully walking everyday even in some of the worst weather!  I have surmised that she must be in her late sixties and has had a hard life.  She was most likely born in another country because of the thick accent I hear when she greets me.

When we first began to pass each other, I would not say anything because she looked so cold and angry.  After a few weeks, I began to pray for her.  As time past, I began to look her right in the eyes and say hello to her regardless of her cold, dead stare back at me.  She would always reply, yet there was no warmth in her voice or expression on her face. I just believe that she has had a hard life and didn’t grow up with love surrounding her.

Nothing seemed to change over the years.  I was always the initiator of our greeting, but I really didn’t care.  Today was different.  Two gentlemen were running ahead of me in tandem and this lady was across the street.  She came over to their side of the street and boldly interrupted their run to hand them a paper.  She said “Thank you” in her monotone voice and kept walking.  Next she came to me.  She finally looked at me instead of through me and gave me the small piece of paper.  I thanked her and smiled and kept going.  As I slowed up to see what it was, I realized she had just given me a Christian tract.  I was thrilled to know that she was saved and she was now spreading the gospel in our neighborhood with boldness.

Along my route I saw this battery stuck in the dirt and I heard the Holy Spirit whisper this verse:

1 Peter 3:15