learning lessons

Distance is a teacher, a slow, steady, patient teacher. Her lessons are only learned through the doing, through the journey. Ask anyone who has crossed the finish line of a marathon, that brief glorious moment but a glimpse of the weeks, months, years of training that have gone to accomplish that one moment. Ask anyone who has prayed for years, decades for something that they know they may never see happen. Ask Paul who spent years in chains and prison for a single trial before Cesar. 

Yes, distance is a teacher if we will but heed her lessons. If we will learn to savor the downtrodden moments, knowing that in those moments we are learning the most valuable lessons of endurance, steadfastness, and courage. If we will learn to savor each step of the journey, not eagerly pushing past the things we don't enjoy to get to the future. 

If we will learn to savor the blessed good times, not taking for granted those around us, the moments and joys we share with them; learning to savor the precious gift of laughter, so pure and precious. If we will learn not to hold on to those moments, those people too tightly, but rather trust them in the care of their loving Father who is always good. 

If we will learn to look up, to set our eyes and our course for the long run. If we will learn to look to our Lord and Savior, the conqueror, the victor, who has finished the race and sits at the right hand of the Father. If we will look to Him who alone is worthy of all our praise, glory, and honor. 

Yes, distance will teach us many things. If we will but listen to her lessons.   

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