All this week has been “York County Senior Games”, organized by the York County Area Agency on Aging. First it bristles just knowing that I’m old enough for “Senior Games”, and I might not even be the youngest competitor. Then of course getting a good beat down too. I’m doing six swimming events, 50 yard, 100 yard, so each one will be over in an instant, and short distance is not my strong suit, not even in high school, but hey I’m doing it.

That should be the attitude for all of us. Believe me, I have never had to make much, if any room, on my “trophy” shelf for all my different competitions. And I’m not trying to get “soccer mom” either. Believe me getting a 1,2 or 3 medal would be nice, but at this point in life (old enough for “Senior Games”) it does become an issue of just getting out there and doing it, competing against others but mostly yourself.  So if I get something in addition to a t-shirt, I will include it with with triathlon “finisher” medals, it will be a nice reminder and it will also be an encouragement, a recognition that even though I didn’t do well, I did at least get out and do it. I did push myself, I did demand more of myself. Isn’t that what we’re really put here for? Does anyone think that the Christian life, is all about sitting around in this self-satisfied little cocoon? Do you think God honors that? That He gave you health and strength and stamina to just waste it sitting around and being even not so comfy? How many people are out there who would just love to be able to jump in a swimming pool and do a down and back?

So I’m not going to come back this afternoon showered with glory, but it will be with the feeling that I did get out there, I did push myself and in doing so I pray that God will know that as honoring to Him. That it is in praise and thanksgiving that I’m pushing the body He’s given me, farther than normal and I pray that He uses that and anything else I try to do to serve Him to His glory. There won’t be pictures, me in a jammer? Not pretty, hope everyone there can tolerate it.

**** Update, had a good time, got 4 medals, 3 silver, 1 bronze, got spanked in the 50 free-style, won the others in the 50 back, 50 breast, 100 free, 100 breast. The York Area on Aging did a great job to pull together all these different events and the volunteers who were there and made all this happen were just awesome. I just took off Friday morning to do the swim events. Got to hang with some fellow over 50’s and it was fun to share with people who don’t let the aging process from continuing to live. So if you are over 50, make plans for next year in June to come down and join in, you won’t regret it.