Saturday ended at 9:30 for Vikki.  Mike pushed the envelope until Sunday, 12:30 AM, to meet a deadline.  Church was not on the docket. but early communion with God was.  The wakeup call was 4:30.  Departure was set for 5:30.  Vikki pulled out of the lot at 5:40, in stony simmering spousal silence -- the silent count to ten; enacting James' "be slow to speak" as Michael set his hot coffee cup on the dashboard, to both buckle in and to gauge the temperature, outside inside the car. 

They were not LATE, they were just behind, he wanted to say; but didn't.  Plus, she'd just gone out herself, to start the car, to drive, because driving gave her the reassurance of control.  Seeing as how the day could go, Vikki needed to start the day in control.  Besides, it was enough that he was in the car before The Tardiness Window closed.  Both were confident the drive wouldn't take as long as it could.  Especially since Vikki was already behind the wheel.  They'd still be on time, depending on which way they went.  It was not a time of debate about directions.

(There was that little thing about whether to take the interstate all the way even though that road without lights took them three miles father south before swinging back north; OR, should they take the take a fast local which was more direct to the destination, and had almost interstate speeds...but how may traffic lights?  Michael played Kenny Rogers, knowing when to fold his lips, letting Vikki brainstorm the route on which she felt most comfortable ("in control?").  He only offered verbal assistance when they got off the interstate and he became Scarecrow to Vikki's Dorothy.  "Which way do I turn?" she said.

Because they both saw the arrow and spoke at the same time, the relationship was saved. 

Suffice to say, they arrived at the appointed time, on time...even a few seconds ahead of Jules, and proceeded into the appointed pre-race routine.  Stretch, drive to bathroom, drive to starting location, review Michael's timings and locations , pray and run.  All of which happened as scheduled, and at 6 AM, both ladies began their jaunt at the eight-mile mark of the Fox Valley course, a full hour and 10 degrees cooler than when the marathon began at 7 AM when Michael was scheduled to meet Vikki again.  Five miles down the road.

Though not a song by which to run, nor one on the ChicagoMarathon VikkiThon playlist, "Order My Steps" is an essential preparation song.  A prayer for packing materials before the race.  A prayer for safety and travel during the run.
Written by acclaimed author Glenn Burleigh, the song came to our attention through the live recording by the  Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.  The selection here is a powerful rendition by  the GMWA Women of Worship.
​Attend the lyrics.

​Order my steps in Your word dear Lord
Lead me, guide me everyday
Send Your anointing, Father I pray;
Order my steps in Your word
Please, order my steps in Your word
--
I want to walk worthy
According to Thy will
Please order my steps Lord
And I'll do Your blessed will
The world is ever changing
But You are still the same;
Please order my steps, Lord I'll praise Your name

Michael says this schedule, coming at the end of my  9-to-after-5 work week, explains the subliminal reason why my VikkiThon Playlist includes Whitney Houston's classic anthem:  "I'm Every Woman." I disagree.  I've always loved the song, found Whitney and inspiration in my own music, and, frankly, find myself sad whenever I think about how her life transpired.  Of how her talent was misused.  

Looking over the Vikkithon  Playlist, and reviewing previous posts I know I've chosen many songs that are not traditional church songs.  The truth is, many are difficult to run to.  Most would be cool down and stretch tunes. 

At the same time, I adore the traditional church songs -- meaning the ones Michael, Garlan or I grew up hearing, or that were taught to us by the old people at church -- with a new bent.  New funk. Or, in the words of one of my favorite gospel rappers, T-Bone, songs with some "stank."

When the "stanky" old school songs come up, I can "have church" no matter what day of the week, or how tired I am during the run or after the run. 

​The beat and the rhythm, naturally, help...even after the run, like when I recuperated after the 10K Gospel Run in June when blocks of South Shore Beach in Chicago became a Saturday morning concert propelling the runners and walkers on shore and into Lake Michigan.

But, as a songwriter myself, I'm most moved by the words, especially words from Scripture. 

So, for musical and theological reasons, I am inspired by Eddie James' "Strong and Mighty." I was first introduced to the song by the Bellevue Baptist Church choir, which Garlan directs.  I've sung the tune with Bellevue, as part of the choir, and congregation. 

​I didn't connect that it was based in the King James Version of Psalm 24 and employs verses 4-7 in the lyrics until I saw the video with  the words (the idea of music videos with lyrics is wonderful, and corrects lots of misinterpretations).  Use them to introduce a song when you can.  We'll write about that later.

No matter what the rest of the soundtracks include, or no matter how badly the weekend has gone, old school church music  like this have a special place and let's me remember The Lord Is Running with me no matter what day of the week.