Running the Race.

This has been an amazing year that I have learned a lot about long distance running. My son has taken up the sport of Cross Country. This hasn't been a sport that I ever really got into....because lets face it, I can't imagine who in their right mind would want to run three miles at a time, on purpose! But my son loves it, and he is really good at it.

The first race was so exciting and nerve racking at the same time. We didn't know how he would do or if he would even finish. The gun went off and of they went, all 92 of them. We watched the group get smaller and smaller until they were around the corner and out of sight not knowing where in the pack he sat. We quickly went up the hill to wait for the runners to come over the hill, and we were ecstatic to see that he was in fourth place, but felt that there was no way he could keep up the pace. Then it was down the hill and to the finish line to see the end.

My heart beat so crazy as I waited for them to come around the last corner. One, two, three and........yes he was still in fourth. FOURTH out of 92 and he was pushing for all he was worth to cross that line.

Pain was all over his face, as he was forcing his legs to keep moving, leaning, leaning for that last step. I was so proud of him. I couldn't believe that he had made it in fourth. I ran to the end to meet up with him but I was stunned by what I saw.

He was calling, here mom, here, hold me. His skin was white and pastie like he was half dead.

( Now remember that this was the first race for both of us, so even though this is normal, a mother's heart is shaken to see her child in such a state.) He laid on my shoulder while the rest of his team came across the finish line. It took him what seemed forever to regain his strength. I finally returned to that proud mom over the worried mom that I had been, and it only mad me more proud to hear people comment about how he gave everything he had. They said "He had nothing left to give." Wow.

It brings to mind the verses

1Corinthians 9:24-25.

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.…

And I wonder...AM I? Am I really running the race of my life with everything I have? Am I giving it all. Will i be pushing myself until that last step and I reach the finish line where I can rest in my Fathers arms? I hope so.... and That's the way I see it.