My 5K- Part 2

My last post ended with me crying to my husband and ready to drive home.  There was no way I could run this race.  My husband told me I could come home and we could spend some time together, or I could get out of the car and prove to myself that I could run!  (Gotta love that guy!)  I hung up the phone, got out of the car, and was on my way to wait for 2 hours.

Soon I found myself ready to start the race.  The horn sounded and off I went.  Alot of people had their families with them or on the side of the road cheering them on to the end.  Along the way, there were volunteers on the side of the road cheering us on, reminding us that we could do this.  There were families sitting in their lawn chairs watching us run and clapping for us as we passed.  At one turn, there was a dad and his kids with their hands out for high 5's.  Those little hands gave me such a big boost!

These people, whose names I'll never know, encouraged me to continue my race.  My finish line was in sight, my legs were hurting, I was out of breath, and someone ran by me and said, "Finish strong."  That's exactly what I needed.  I crossed that line and realized I had run the whole way!  Seriously?  I didn't even come in last!  I went right to my car and texted my husband, "Done!"

As I was driving home I thanked God for helping me finish the race.  I realized that He used those people all along the way to encourage me, to give me that boost I needed.  They will never know how much they helped me!

I am challenged, yes, to run more, but also to be that encouraging person for someone else.  Our race of life is filled with people that feel defeated like I did, people that feel like giving up because of a difficulty they're facing.  There are people running by me every day that need that, "You can do it!" or "You're almost there!" or "Finish Strong!" 

So, if you're one that is feeling defeated, I'll tell you what my husband told me.  You can get out and prove to yourself that you can do this!  There is an amazing God that gives strength and goes with us through everything we face.  If you are strong in this race of life, I challenge you to be the encourager to those around you!  God can use you to help someone in ways you would never imagine!