We Shall Overcome

Bounced back from the terrible night of sleep I wrote about yesterday to have an excellent day. The morning routine I have been practicing really pulled me through--the morning music and reading sent me out the door on a 2-mile run, which in turn sent me off to a full, productive day. Dropped in on Clay Shoufler, had some great discussion about fitness and planning the summer schedule for Old School Hoops. Talking to Clay always fills me up, as he so thoughtful and well-researched on a number of topics and has a life-view similar to mine. We have so much history that it would be hard to detail in such a limited space...

Also had great visits with these guys too:

• Jon Nelson, head basketball coach at Tri-Valley. Jonny is doing a great job there; he really has his stuff together. He briefly endured me as a college roommate, so kudos to him for that. Great sense of humor too, so we always have some good laughs. Talked about our kids and can't believe how big they've all grown.
• Steve Ekhoff, owner of Extra Innings, a baseball complex in Bloomington. Knew Steve in high school and have stayed in touch off and on ever since. He's doing a great job running that place, and he looks like an animal--best physical shape he has ever been in. A great testimony to the notion that aging does not have to mean declining. I should start doing whatever he is doing...
• Steve Kuhn, one of my favorite AdvoCare distributors. Steve is home for break from Illinois State so we went and sampled products to some people at Charter Fitness in Springfield, where he used to train people. Had a great day talking to those people and to each other--Steve knows a lot about fitness and training, so I enjoyed picking his brain on those topics. Also had a great dinner with him and his friend Brian--nice young guy too.

All in all, a terrific day. Early on, I got a great text from Jacob Tucker, sharing that he has been reading the Biblical story of Job. For those of you unfamiliar, Job was a man of great wealth and material possession that God takes through a series of afflictions as a test of his faith. At first, Job stays faithful, but eventually, he lashes out at God for all the trials he has endured. At which point, God basically lets him have it, saying that He knows what is right and best for his life. Job humbles himself, asks for forgiveness, and chooses to accept God's will for his life, whatever it is. God responds by blessing Job with a fruitful life filled with both spiritual and material gifts so that he may enjoy his life. (Very rough summary--I recommend reading it yourself.)

That text and its message really carried me through the early part of my day. Life has suffering that is difficult for to explain, and we are tempted to question or even criticize God when we are forced to endure it--I have done those things on several occasions before. Trusting God is easy when things are going our way, but our true test of faith is to hang in there with Him and praise in times of struggle as well. So grateful for Tuck to share that message with me--he is a firm guy of faith who has influenced my spiritual life as much as anyone I know. Wanted to pass it on to you guys to start your days.

Best of luck to the Blueboys tonight, who host Knox at 5:30, as well as the Illini, who take on Minnesota at the Hall at 8:00. Another big hoops night...