Recently I got up at 5:30 AM to go to the grocery store. It was that kind of day – I knew if it did not happen in the hour of 5 a.m. it was not going to happen at all. The same could be said for my exercise habits these days! So I told my son, who is in the running club at his school – “If we get up just a half an hour earlier than normal each day we can run 2 miles and get in some good training for running club and mommy can get the exercise she needs.”
He was all for this idea and now each morning he springs out of bed (quite amazing for an 9 year old!) and joins me for our run. But his enthusiasm does not stop there – while we are running he leaps over knocked over trash cans and other such obstacles. If I attempted to jump over these things I would wind up down the road at Lewis Gale.
Anthony also chats on and on about anything and everything while I give short answers because it is 6 in the morning AND I can’t breathe much less talk while I’m running! Once in a while he will trip on something but he always springs right back up like a rubber-band man! If I fell like he does l know the week of running would be done!
Granted, springing over trash cans and such is the job of young boys, not 40 year old women (at least not at 6 AM!) but nevertheless, I am amazed by such boundless energy and such a rejuvenated attitude where one hops out of bed to meet the new day and leap over all the big obstacles out there.
Once again I suppose that is why Jesus spoke so highly about the little children. I am very lucky that when I seem to need it most I find an example of how to live life, right under my nose, in the minds and hearts of my young children – a bit of Grace so beautifully extended to me. Well I humbly accept it. Most of the time we ask our children to follow us, but on this one, I will follow Anthony.
After our big run we always need to refuel; it is apple season so we have started fixing this yummy breakfast treat. We fix it beforehand and reheat a square each morning. ENJOY!
2 medium apples
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cold unsalted butter, cut into bits
-Preheat oven to 375°F.
-Peel and halve apples, then core. Cut apples into thin slices and toss with lemon juice and 1 tablespoon brown sugar in a bowl.
-Place apples in baking dish, overlapping slices, and sprinkle each serving with 1 tablespoon water.
-Stir together oats, cinnamon, salt, and remaining tablespoon brown sugar in a bowl until combined. Mix butter into oat mixture.
-Sprinkle topping over apples and bake until topping is golden, 25 to 30 minutes