Keeping track

I walked.  She ran.

I had on baggy summer clearance items from Kmart.  She looked stylish in her spandex leggings and tank top with sparkle trim.

I was squinting in the sun, while she wore large square Foster Grants that completed her outfit.

I felt less than trim and fit; she had my dream figure already but was still working out.

Comparisons.

We all do it (especially us women), and it's deadly and dangerous. 

If I had allowed myself to dwell on the differences between this gal who I shared the track with and myself, I would have felt defeated within moments.  The more I looked at her, the more I felt inadequate.  And that simply isn't the truth.

I don't know this woman or her circumstances.  She may be out running because she has to battle the depression she faces over losing her job.  She might be killing time because she can't deal with another evening alone in an empty house where there used to be family.   Or, she might be like me and just simply getting some exercise before heading to the store to buy groceries.

Fortunately, age and experience has taught me to not play the comparison game.  I'm better than I used to be at silencing those contrasting thoughts and realizing that I'm summing someone up by appearances only.  As a child of God, I know that my acceptance and worth is wrapped up in being His child, and I need look no further than up to know that I am wholly and fully loved.  Just as I am.

And that frees my soul to keep walking.