Fingerprint Friday

That. Was. Hard.

A group of us girls like to climb the stairs in our building, 60 flights, during our lunch hour a few times a week. Since the economy took a turn for the worse, it has been increasingly harder for some of us to get away in order to do our social and fitness thing. I personally had not been on the stairs since early December, and when I did it then, it was equally challenging because I hadn't done it in about six weeks.

I was discouraged when I first started up today because I had to stop to breathe every 10 flights. I like to go all the way up non-stop, and there was no way I could accomplish that after so many weeks of not climbing. I'm always amazed at how fast I lose my wimpish athletic prowess when compared to how long it takes me to regain the stamina when I get the chance to try again.

I also had stressed most of the morning because one of my new year's resolutions was to get on the stairs at least once a week. I was just hours away from breaking my first resolution of the year, already, in the first eight days of the year. That attitude doesn't make climbing easier.

I finally realized, on about the 42nd floor, I had to lift my spirits in addition to my heavy body up those stairs.

There are many who can't do one flight, let alone 60. Sure, my 60 was going to take my entire lunch hour, but at least I can do it.

It took me a couple of years to regain the ability to complete long bike rides after mandatory back surgery in 2004. It isn't taking me two years to be able to climb the stairs again.

And finally, I was blessed with the opportunity to climb. Why spend those fleeting moments discouraged and depressed when they should be a celebration? I got a lunch hour! I got to climb the stairs!

This wasn't my first blessing today. I'd already experienced a bit of a miracle before sunrise. My husband dropped me off at the park and ride (which is yet another wonderful blessing in and of itself) because the roads were icy. I'd placed a bag of groceries in the back seat for the canned food drive at my work. I had been meaning to bring that bag in since before Christmas. But life was flying at such a hectic pace then, I kept forgetting.

And sure enough, I accidentally left the bag in the back of the car when my husband dropped me off. Today was the last day for the group contribution. I could always take it independently. But I wanted to be a part of the group. I wanted the group contribution to be as big as it could be.

So I took off running after my husband. On snow and ice. Me, the biggest klutz in the world. The one who can best stumble if there is anything to trip on or slide on. If they had an Olympic event for falling down, I surely would be the reigning champ of the last century, and I'd be notching my belt for this new century just ten years young.

My husband did not see me. He kept going. I didn't catch him until he stopped at a red light. But I DID catch him! And I didn't fall down! Even as I walked back to the train stop carrying the bag of groceries!

Maybe one of my new year's resolutions needs to be: Quit whining about what I can't do and start being thankful for what I can do. I sure get farther when I have that kind of attitude!

***

Steven Curtis Chapman sings:

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with
The fingerprints of God

The Rusted Chain challenges bloggers each Friday to discover, recognize and see God's fingerprints and share them with the rest of the world. See instructions to join in here. Also check the other blogs linked there to see more great Fingerprints!

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