Ever been to a cross-country track meet?
Me, na da!
Shoot, I wore a dress and didn't bring a chair.
Try that one on!
Try that one on!
I thought I was supposed to yell and scream and call his name from the side lines and maybe even run along beside him.
I learned quickly that was not the plan because...
I learned quickly that was not the plan because...
1. My nephew (The blonde kid in the middle) is a typical Jr. higher
and would absolutely die of embarrassment,
2. I'm significantly overweight and out of shape
and would hyperventilate before the 50-yard marker,
3. And it's just not something you would do.
Been thinking about this cross-country thing...
Sam made a choice to join the cross-country team.
The choice took courage.
Remember what it was like to be middle schooler?
Sam made a choice to start the race.
On the second lap, Sam could have chosen to quit.
He was somewhere in the middle-not exactly where he wanted to be.
He was tired. He hadn't ran in a week.
He's had a bad day.
He wasn't even sure there WAS a race.
Sam made a choice to finish.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
Hebrews 12:1
The Amplified Bible says to run with "patient endurance and steady and active persistence."
What I learned from Sam's track meet...
1. Sam was out of sight. He couldn't see us, but we were there cheering him on.
Those who have gone on before us, who have already finished the race are cheering us on.
Even when it feels like no one is watching, no one cares, no ones knows how tired we are, no one is running with us, SOMEONE is cheering us on.
2. A runner literally throws everything to the wind. His clothing is light. I tease my youth girls about their bootie shorts, but if you're in a race to win, you must wear as little as possible.
To throw everything to the win, includes thoughts and attitudes that hold you back.
A runner must be focused on the race, never looking at who's ahead or who's behind.
He must be focused on the finish.
3. A runner must persevere, patiently enduring the pain, the fatigue and actively persistent to the end.
Sam finished,
and someone followed.
We must persevere.
Someone is watching.
Someone will follow.
Thanks, Sam for the lesson!
LOVE YOU,
Aunt Bonnie
Hi Bonie: Cute post. You've got to give these kids credit. My grandson ran track in middle and high school. He never won a race but he still kept at it. Builds self confidence in them. Thanks for commenting to me. I have shared that tea-pot before but I love it. Got it at Home Goods a while back..Have a great weekend..Judy
ReplyDeleteHi Bonnie, what a fun post! And I think I would feel the same as you. By the way you've got a wonderful blog here!
ReplyDeleteDid not see an email...for the pumpkin made from sweathers, cut the top off, turn inside out and do a whip stitch and gather together, turn right side and fill with stuffing. I just gathered the top with a rubber band and then added the twine. Maybe a whip stitch woudl work better. I just put the stem in....I'm sure you can find more info from the internet!
ReplyDeleteGuess you were pretty excited about the game to wear a dress!
Deb
This is so true of life as well. Great post.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteMy son ran cc in high school...it is a unique sport to cheer on!
He joined the team this fall at college but was not ready for the 5 and 8 mile races. I guess I have to wait to cheer him on in winter track!
Great post!!