cheering each other on!
/I get choked up when I watch a marathon pass by.
(if you've race-watched with me before, you know!) :)
I've considered it a blessing to live near/on the major marathon routes here the past several years. Those 2-3 times a year when race day comes, I get so excited when they start posting the traffic signs to let everyone know that the road will be closed that weekend!
This morning was the Dallas Rock and Roll Half Marathon, and I was excited to wake up to the sound of a band playing just a few blocks over (in the Rock and Roll series, there are bands at mile markers along the way). We got all bundled up and headed out to the action. Before we even got to the runners passing by, my eyes were welling up.
So excited!
There's something about a sea of people (as far as you can see), all running towards the same finish line. Each of them with their personal goals in mind, each with their victories, each with their own struggles. Each with with a different training plan and strategy for racing. Each with a desire to complete this race, and each with a voice in their head reminding them of why they are doing this in the first place.
Each one different, but all of them running together.
This is why I get overwhelmed by watching it, and by taking a part in it myself.
The unity there is between so many different people, so many shapes and sizes, ages and races.
Some running for a certain cause or a certain person, some with that cause written on their shirt, reminding them of why they are putting themselves through it.
Its amazing.
If you think I sound cheesy, go stand on the route of a race sometime,
you'll know what I mean.
Abigail blew kisses to the runners, she clapped for them, and waved hi for an hour! I think her smile gave a little light moment to a few racers as they rounded the halfway point right by our house. I'm one of the annoying onlookers that yells really loud for the racers.
"Keep it up!", "You CAN do this!", "Good Job!"
I do it because I know they need it.
The triathlon I completed a few years ago (my first real race) was one of the most challenging things Ive ever done. I dont remember much positive about it (except finishing) because it was such a physical struggle for me...but the one thing I do and will remember is the volunteers and local people standing out on street corners, cheering for me. I know they werent cheering for ME. They dont know who I am. But man it felt like they were there for me.
Their words of encouragement were so helpful.
I distinctly remember riding up a big hill in the bike portion, just completely exhausted
(telling myself pedal sarah, pedal sarah, dont stop....pant pant pant).
There was a girl there just yelling her heart out for the racers going by, and as I pedaled ever so slowly by her, she yelled "You did it! You finished the hill!"
I didn't even know I had until she yelled it.
I was amazed and surprised.
and so thankful for her encouragement and cheers.
It gave me the push to keep going.
I needed someone to point out to me that I had completed that hard part, because I was so focused on just getting through and not falling or stopping.
This is why we should cheer each other on in this race, in this life of faith.
We need it.
God designed it that we would race with each other,
and cheer each other on.
"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works."
Hebrews 10:24
"So encourage each other, and build each other up..."
1 Thessalonians 5:11
"Two people are better than one, for they can help each other succeed.
If one person falls, the other can reach out and help..."
Ecclesiastes 4:9
"If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it.
And if one part is honored, all the parts are glad."
1 Corinthians 12:26
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, and the sin that so easily trips us up, and let us RUN with endurance the race God has set before us."
Hebrews 12:1
HAPPY RACING. Im cheering for you.
