Jaclyn Loween
  • Blog
  • Go & See. The Book
  • Go & See. Retreat
  • My Story
  • Blog
  • Go & See. The Book
  • Go & See. Retreat
  • My Story

Inspiration, Encouragement & Instructions

". . . let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
(Hebrews 12:1, NIV)
UA-115346459-1

These Old Shoes

7/18/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture

These old shoes have taken me places. Mostly ‘round the same old streets.
These old shoes hug my feet. Especially needed when miles pile upon miles.

These old shoes have run ‘round the world. Touched earth, rivers and places in time. 

These old shoes have holes and tears. Taking all the stress I beat out in them.
These old shoes provide stability. Especially when my soul needs mobility.
These old shoes represent special memories, people, journeys and faith.

These old shoes need to be replaced.
But how do you say goodbye to an instrument that helped you BQ?


These old shoes are worn down and drug out.
These old shoes have seen snow, rain and ice. Dawn, dusk, and night.
These old shoes never talk back. They just move where my feet tell them to go.

These old shoes have carried the weight of my heart, soul and mind.
These old shoes a symbol of hope, hard work, and precious gifts.

These old shoes help me run toward my creator: 
Blood made to pump. Mind made to dream.
Soul made to connect to the gifts He gave me.


These old shoes I must retire.
These old shoes need me to become a seeker of new.
But I don’t want to change.
I don’t want new.
I want these old shoes because I know they are true.


These old shoes have revealed something new:
I don’t like to change.
I sometimes don’t want to be made new.


These old shows have taught me a lesson:
I can’t keep holding on to that which isn’t of good use anymore.
I need to look forward to what else is in store. 


These old shoes are pointing me to consider what in my life is tattered and torn:
​
What in my life needs to be set aside to keep moving forward?
These old shoes are broken-down, unable to serve their purpose:
What am I holding on to that’s leading to damage later?

These old shoes are a trivial matter.
Yet, sometimes such things can point me to examine:
The objects of my affection,
The splinters in my soul,
The things I turn to for connection.


These old shoes are just rubber and nylon,
Man-made materials that hold my feet together.

Still, these old shoes have helped my body, mind and soul remain tethered.

I am going to miss these old shoes. Yet,
I am going to choose,
To be thankful for the allowance of time on the road.


I am certain, in time,
I'll forget the miles bound in these old shoes.

Forget, I will not, the one who made me to love to run,
So that I could see in Him the blessings of an
​Old blue pair of shoes.
Picture

Subscribe to, Run for Your Life, posts.

Subscribe Now
This is one post in the series, Run for your Life. These posts are written to encourage those of you who already run, and inspire those of you who are thinking about picking it up. But even if running is nowhere in your past, present or future, I pray something about the message or the reflection questions will relate to your life. I would love it if we could use this space as a place to have a conversation about the questions posted at the bottom. So, please lend me your thoughts in the comment section below. It will spur me on, I just know it. ​
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Photo Credit: City Hill Studio

    Jaclyn Loween

    Her family and friends know her as, Jaci. She is the wife of a pastor, a mom of four, writing and communications education instructor, a visionary and an avid runner. As a firm believer in the power and effectiveness of the body of Christ united together to live out the Great Commission, she holds fast to this verse, "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19).  Of equal importance to her are these words, "...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1).

    Her motto: We are stronger, happier, healthier and lovelier when living on mission together.


    Posts in the Run for Your Life, series: 
    Identifying Injuries
    Grief Encounters
    The Course for Hope
    True Confessions...
    Run for Your Life
    Confessions...Runner-Girl
    3 Simple Means to Motivation
    Steady On
    ...into the Wind & Rain
    Beyond the Finish Line
    Your Playlist?
    Core Strength
    Hills and Valleys
    10 Practices...
    Life is Like Yasso 800s
    Same Same Different
    "He started it!"
    Uncomfortable Comfort
    The Day Named Grace
    Choose the Race of Faith
    Running Boston, Strong
    ...Not My Own
    5 Reasons Not to Run...
    Not Shrinking Back


    ​More Archives

    April 2022
    March 2022
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    June 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    March 2014


Proudly powered by Weebly