The Value of a Good Stretch

My eyes had barely opened when I realized I was having a moment with God. My normal morning ritual begins as I roll over to look at the clock. This is an extremely important step for one who has issues with sleep…can I go back to sleep for 17 more minutes? Ok, I can get up now so let’s open the blinds behind my bed and see what kind of day we have. There is snow on the ground, not much, but the sun is shining. I smile, “Good morning Holy Spirit! What a gorgeous day today ~ thank you!”

Even on days when the sun is not visible down here on the ground, looking out of that window and realizing that God’s mercies are new each morning; well, only my gratitude is an appropriate way to start the day. And having greeted our Creator I roll over and give myself a big ole long S-T-R-E-T-C-H! You know how you stretch so, um – completely - that you must let out that grunt or groan or whatever you call that sound at the end of it. I’m not sure why, but it seems like that stretch is not complete without a satisfying sound at the end.

So on this particular day I do all the steps above as I normally do and after letting out that squeal of delight at the end of the stretch, He starts a conversation with me. “Isn’t it interesting that the stretch always seems to give you energy?” And it does, I thought about it, after the 1st morning stretch I bound out of bed – well, sort of. I can’t bound until I put my leg on. But I certainly have a – readiness. He said “Even when you get ready to work out, cardio or weight training, the first thing you do is stretch.” That is so true!

I flashed back to the days spent in the Better Life Fitness Center with Elder Randy Woody and his beautiful, no-nonsense about health, no fat on her body, body building winner at age 35, wife Brenda. The warm up always included stretching. The explanation came too ~ you have to prepare your muscles to support you during your vigorous workout. When you go walking or running, stretch, to avoid getting a Charlie horse or pulling a hamstring. Whether you’re using the weights at the gym or some other type of weight training, stretching the muscles is imperative to maintain a healthy exercise routine. Weight training is the process of tearing down muscle so that once it repairs, it is better than before. If those muscles are all bunched in a knot you’re sure to experience painful muscle spasms or worse yet, torn ligaments. Yes, a good stretch is definitely preparation for success.

Then I remembered the first time I went to Amputee Walking School. It was an amazing experience. I saw an amputee run for the first time, I saw 2 teams of amputees playing basketball – on prosthetic legs. And very importantly I got stretched. The physical therapists were always on hand to learn more about amputees and how they could help them. They were always agreeable to stretch us out. If you think it feels good after you have a good stretch, you really need to have a trainer stretch you out! It feels wonderful – once it’s done. In the middle of it, not so good. But, you learn to breathe through the stretch.

Now, I’m laying there in bed pondering these things when He says “Now that you remember how important stretching is, why is it that when I stretch you, you refuse to participate. Even when I do the work - you try to pull back. It’s not like I want to hurt you – you know that. And you know that after the stretch you feel invigorated, energized; you know that stretching prepares you for the next level. How can we get you to the next level when you don’t want to be stretched? And haven’t you been asking me to help you with some necessary changes? Why won’t you let me stretch you?”

Well, that was an Ephesians 3:20 moment for me because I had to face the fact that changes in my life that make me uncomfortable are the ones that change me for the better. They tend to get me off the bench and out of my comfort zone or slothful routine. In the middle of the stretch I learn to breathe through it and commit to it; submit to it. After it’s over and I let out a euphoric sound; it’s because I’ve learned exactly what I need to know to make it to the next level.

That was a good lesson! The stretch loosens up muscles (often unused); makes you temporarily uncomfortable while teaching you to breathe through those moments; prepares you for the next level on your destiny walk and, somehow encourages you to let out a sound of victory. C’mon, stretch with me and let it out! AARRGGGHHHHHOOOEEEEummmoohhh – ah!