Being In-Sync with my Commander

Yesterday, Memorial Day, I embraced living in a country where freedom still reigns! I expressed my gratitude for living in this great land of the free and home of the brave. All was calm and all was bright after a very busy week and weekend with my family. I’ll admit my “solitary confinement” felt wonderful!

That confinement lasted long enough and, even after I had been on the elliptical equipment for an hour getting in my cardio in the fitness center, I heard the words “march on”. So, instead of heading home, I went out the door of my building and instead of power walking, I took an easy-paced stroll while taking in the sights and sounds around me.

I inhaled the beautiful fresh air of early morning — because I could. I was out and about in God’s creation that greeted me with skies that bid me a cheerful “Good Morning”.

I looked through the gates of the new Texas Children’s Hospital and took this photo. The hospital will open in 2024. Tremendous progress has been made. But, this Memorial Day, no workers seen, and no loud equipment could be heard. Peace and quiet. It was Memorial Day. We were remembering.

I knew I was on point as I felt the cadence of my walking – 1-2-3-4. Then, a memory flashed through my mind of my oldest grandson, Braden Wuerch, stationed at the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, TX, and our visit to see him.

It was a painful time for my husband who, in the next month, would be diagnosed with kidney cancer, and a few months later, become a resident of heaven. But oh, the pride and joy Papa had that day when he saw his oldest grandson marching in cadence with his fellow cadets.

I read that besides physiological effects, cadences produce significant physical effects. Singing a cadence while running or marching helps soldiers keep their heads up, take deeper breaths and exhale more forcefully.

All that increases oxygen to the lungs and gives the body more energy, which makes their unit healthier and better prepared for the physical endeavors and tests they must take. Maybe, I was feeling some of that and it was good for me!

To even compare my meager walking steps to a military cadence is absurd, but on the other hand – in the light of purposely listening for my Commander’s voice, maybe not so much.

Soldiers listen for their Commander’s voice, and I purpose to listen to mine! Soldiers are “at ease” or are “forward marching”, and so am I. I am either in a “be still and know” stance or I’m moving on with the next task my Commander gives me.

It is precious, holy times when I recognize my Commander’s voice saying: “At ease!” I get it. I am a go-go-goer! I am most happy when I am on the move. But, yesterday, I heard my Commander aka my Heavenly Father, Who knows best, saying: “At ease”! I slowed down long enough to breathe and take Him in.

Some of those “at ease” times are slowing down enough to speak a good word to a neighbor. And some of those “forward march” times, He wants me to get on with my day. I love to ebb and flow with Him – in cadence of the stillness, the easy-does-it, slow pace times and the “forward march” times. More than anything, I desire to be in-sync with Him!

“So I run with purpose in every step.” (1 Corinthians 9:26)