Skip to main content

I'm Cheering For You!

We had an incredible opportunity to attend the Boston Marathon this year. They were expecting a million people in attendance. It was raining and I was glad I wasn't running but spectating instead. We had passes to the Grand Stands at the finish line and I was looking forward to seeing the finishers cross the line. As a previous runner from years past I was quickly reminded of the adrenaline rush of coming around that corner to the finish line after a grueling  26 miles. And the incredible spectators cheering me on all the way to the finish. 



I remember the crowd cheering us runners on every step of the way. That's one thing I can say about New England. They love their sports and are the most enthusiastic fans I've ever seen. The marathon is no exception and particularly after the bombing in 2013! They rally together and encourage the runners with cheers, bells, orange slices and red vines.  All  from the shot gun start to the last runner to cross the line. It is amazing! 

The security this year was intense and we had to go through several check points to get to the stands. The final check point included a metal detector so the line was backed up a bit. We were hoping to get through in time to see the winners come across the finish line.  Police, security and bomb sniffing dogs were all over. Boston is not going to allow a repeat of 2013, that is pretty clear. As we were just about through that final check point,  a group of men came rushing the line and flashing their VIP badges. To which the police said " Whoa, whoa, whoa, get in line" they had a BAA official with them who explained that their runner was about to cross the finish line in first place. They said that didn't matter and that they still had to go through the metal detector and get in line. We were cheering them on to go through but security wasn't budging.  As we were corralled through the detector, they must have called people in higher places because shortly after that they were running past us saying things like, " here she comes, she's so close". 

We got to the fence just in time to see who their " she " was.  A young girl from Kenya was on the  Jumbotron, running neck and neck along side another young girl, both had the finish in sight and pressing hard. I was intrigued by the girl's cheerleading squad, I stopped to watch them. I  watched as the girls approached  and then I glanced back to  the guys cheering her on. I couldn't  take my eyes off of them. They were jumping up and down like school girls, tears in one guys eyes, running down his cheeks as he screamed "go, go, go, come on." The raw emotion on his face is one I won't soon forget. I wish I had taken a picture of him. He wanted more than anything for his girl to win. And just like that the girl from Kenya ( his girl) broke away and came across the finish line, winning by four seconds. It was so fun to watch. I found myself crying right along with them ( if you know me that's no surprise to you).  I congratulated them and we moved on to the stands to await the men's finish. It wasn't as exciting but I did grab a photo of that! What was cool is that I heard he  is the same guy who won the horrible year of the bombing.  I'm sure this meant more to him than anything and he too had the whole crowd cheering him on.



The crowd cheered for every runner, not just the big shot, fast ones competing for the crown. They cheered just as loud for those that would go home with only a metal and the bragging rights of being a Boston Marathon Finisher as they did for the first place, crown wearing, purse filling winner. That was super cool! And I thought..... " What if we did that for each other? I mean really cheer one another on in this race called life? Wouldn't that be great! 

I am reading a great book right now called Unstoppable: Running the Race You were Born to Run by Christine Caine.  The Christian journey is a race, it's a  marathon not a sprint!  God has us all on different legs of our race. He has equipped us to run our own race. It's a training ground for what lies ahead. This book is great in many ways, but what I really like about it is the encouragement she gives us to run our own race and pass the baton. Of course she totally speaks my language with the word pictures of running a race, so that's a bonus! But I can hear her cheering me on in the pages as see writes. It made me think of the Boston Marathon and then of course the cheerleaders I have in my life. I'm so thankful for the squad I have that jump up and down for me. They encouraging me to keep running my own race and not quit. They even encourage me  to pass the baton to the next generation. 


I hope you know I'm cheering for you too. I want to be your cheerleader through this journey of life. It's not always easy running our own race.  I sometimes think to myself, " I'd rather be running that race over there" but I have to trust that God has me running the race He wants me to run, exactly where  He wants me to. For my good and His glory!  I am sure your race looks different than mine. The leg of your race is most likely much more difficult right now.  Be encouraged that the finish line is there even though you can't see it!  God equips us for the journey He has us on. He will be sure to see us to the finish! 

-Pressing On


 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6 NIV)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Season of Spring

  The mornings are so beautiful right now that I want to soak them in before the scorching heat is in its full glory. The sun comes up shortly after I do this time of year. My favorite thing to do is grab my bible, journal and a cup of coffee and sit out back with Annie while the sun rises. The birds are literally singing, the quail make more of a squawk like sound than a song but I love it.   Occasionally, I will hear an owl on a neighboring rooftop or the party of a pack of coyotes in the distance celebrating their recent conquest. I’m always surprised that these sounds don’t faze Annie one bit. Make no mistake, if the trash truck or other large vehicle drives past our dividing wall she goes absolutely K-9, as if she’s military, saving us from being attacked. Bless her heart.   Spring typically comes early in Phoenix and is somewhat short lived. I often think we go from Winter to Summer with seemingly little time to wear any of the light weight sweaters I have hangi...
2 comments
Read more

Woods and Deserts

  A dear friend of mine in Houston posted a photo of her daughter and friend walking either to or from school. At least that is what I assumed. It was a great picture of friendship shared between these two young teens. I recognized the path in the Woodlands. I’ve always loved the woods and that’s one of the many reasons why I loved living there. The massive trees, smell of bark, the rustling sound of fallen leaves and the warmth of the sun peeking through those shade covering trees. Nature is one of my favorite places to connect with God. I had many conversations with Him running on those paths.   I messaged my friend, “Ah. I miss those paths.” And she quickly replied with, “The paths miss you.” Haha. I think what she really meant was….. I am missed and it made my heart smile. I miss a lot about various places we have lived over the years. I am often asked, “Of all the places you have lived, where is your favorite?” My response is usually, “I have favorite things about eac...
2 comments
Read more

Minding My Own Tail

Have you ever heard of Happy Tail? Me either. At least not until our semi sweet chocolate lab came home from boarding with Happy Tail. They explained to me, it’s because Annie is so excited when anyone walks by her kennel; she wags her tail so fiercely that it beats up against the crate. This caused her to rub the fur off of a spot on the tip of her tail. Eventually, the skin broke open and it bled...... therefore she had been diagnosed with Happy Tail.  It cleared up until she had to spend a little more time in her kennel recently. At first I didn’t even notice. Only wondering where all the blood on my walls was coming from. Once I realized it was that Happy Tail again, I wrapped it with gauze and some first aid tape. That lasted only until the doorbell rang and a guest arrived. Several rapid wags and the wrap went flying like a severed finger and the bleeding was all over the walls along with our guest’s pants. So embarrassing! But also poor Annie. It had to hurt. I knew it ...
Post a Comment
Read more