While I was on a run this morning, an older man walking his shaggy, gray-haired dog looked at me, smiled and said, “You’re never there.”

I smiled back and tossed out a “hello,” as I kept trudging onward. I was almost “there.” My house was just around the corner. My run almost over for the day.
As my feet carried me a few more steps the realization of what he said hit me. I hadn’t understood him at first, but as his words sank in, I got mad.

“Who does this guy think he is? He doesn’t know why I’m running. He makes it sound like I’m running to something–-or from something. He doesn’t know me. Grrrrr.”

But then after few steps more and a gentle nudge in my spirit, I realized maybe he was on to something.

Maybe this guy has lived enough life to know that no matter where you’re going, once you’re “there,” there’s always somewhere else to go. The “to-do” list never ends. You never actually “arrive.”

Maybe in this moment God was speaking to me. Was this the quiet whisper of His voice, telling me that it’s ok to slow down? Reminding me of the lesson He’s been trying to teach me for decades?

It’s ok to enjoy the ride. Not only is it ok, but I SHOULD.

If i’m never gonna get “there” in this life, then there’s no rush, right?

What would it be like to be in the moment? To breathe deep because I want to, not because I’m out of breath from rushing from one thing to the next.
What if living itself is all the “there” we get this side of eternity? Surely it’s enough. I just don’t let it be.

I’m going to keep running, but hopefully I will do it because I want to, not because I’m rushing. I want to look around more. Walk some. Take in my surroundings and know that wherever I am, I’m already there. And so are you.

Thanks old guy, for the reminder. Maybe you were right after all.