It’s a Marathon…

Ok not a full Marathon a half marathon.  I now know the difference; I ran the half on Sunday.  I have a new respect for full marathon runners and a new respect for half marathon runners too.  My recovering muscles have that respect too.

The expression it’s a marathon not a sprint has new meaning for me as well.  As we near the end of the second book of the Torah, the book of Shemos this Shabbos, I’m associating Torah learning and a relationship with G-d with a marathon.  Ie. A relationship with G-d and acquisition of Torah is a marathon, not a sprint.

But first here are some things that intrigued me on the 2 hour 13 minute run. The good, very kind people (I can’t remember the name of the organization) who were pushing the specially designed wheelchairs with the special people, blew me away.  Four people assigned to one wheel chair, taking turns pushing and keeping pace with the rest of their group. The fellow in the Elvis costume standing on the side of the street cheering people one. Waldo, who showed up miraculously every 2-3 miles to encourage people to keep moving.  He wasn’t actually Waldo, just a nice jolly fellow who kept on catching up to us to keep pushing us forward.Mile marker 11, that’s when it got real difficult. Only two miles to go…The fellow who came tearing past us after mile 12 encouraged others to go the final mile, literally!

A relationship with Hashem and Torah requires a marathon.  Slow, consistent, meticulous and methodical training. Good people, mentors, leaders, who are there for those who are hurt, broken, and challenged to create different pathways to achieve the same goals. People who are lighthearted to help us not take everything to heart and to find the joy in our connections, even and especially when things are tough.A reminder that it gets difficult before the end. Just when you think you’ve got it, a challenge pops up.  But you’re almost there.And a reminder from people who have a bit more stamina than us, we can go the final mile

G-dliness is everywhere. Torah can enrich and change our lives. A relationship with Hashem is an anchor to something greater and gives life texture, purpose and meaning.

It doesn’t happen on its own. And the deep connection requires a marathon, not a sprint.

Oh and it was raining.  The entire run. Blessings are all around us.

Good Shabbos!

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