Physical Therapy

Second of two posts previously posted on 7 villages website

Tuesday was tense. A reminder of how messy it is to be a part of people’s lives. Leaving church at 7:00pm I was stunned to see the sun had emerged from a week of clouds while I was ensconced in the office. And it was calm…barely a breeze…in Kansas…in March.

Slowly the realization dawned: there was still light left for a bike ride. Home. Quick. Grab the cycling clothes, helmet, shoes. On the bike…the wheels turn…and the day shifts.
Within minutes I know that what I need is speed.

I hammer the pedals.
Legs burn.
Heart thumps.
Breath is short.
Jars of Clay pounds on the radio in my mind:

Sometimes I cannot forgive
These days mercy cuts so deep
If the world was how it should be
Maybe I could get some sleep…

Sometimes when I lose my grip
I wonder what to make of heaven
All the times I thought to reach up
All the times I had to give…

All the cries of thirsty children
This is our inheritance
All the rage of watching mothers
This is our greatest offense

Oh my God
Oh my God
Oh my God


I slide home at dusk,
Knowing the day has been left on the path behind me.
And ministry calls me back, tomorrow.