Perseverance, persevere, perseverance. All that I learned about perseverance while running the 1/2 marathon in memory of my stepdad couldn’t be explained in just one blog. So here is the sequel to Perse-what?
After making the conscience decision to keep going in the race and not give into my body there were still so many God moments and lessons that He was teaching me. So we are now about 3/4 the way finished with the 1/2 marathon. A guy passes me in a car who had completed the marathon. He must have seen the look on my face as he rolled down his window and asked if I was ok or needed anything. I said I was good. He asked if I needed something to drink. I happily said yes. He handed me a Gatorade and I downed about 1/2 of it. It was much needed. About 20 minutes he found me again. I had just passed a drink station so I was doing much better. He was truly an angel. As we persevere in life people will give us needed resources to keep going.
About 3 miles from the end I was a bit discouraged because we just had to do a u-turn in the course and I told the guy that it was not very nice to make me turn around. But I turned around and I’m still amazed by what God had planned. Many times God uses the U-turns in our lives. As I was running a videographer started running beside me and interviewed me. He asked how I was doing and I told him I was exhausted. He asked me where I was from and I told him the USA. He wondered why I came all the way to Zimbabwe to run in a marathon, so I got to tell him about the trip. Then I got to tell him that I was running in memory of my stepdad who passed away from cancer a couple months ago. He told me I was doing an awesome thing. As I kept running I couldn’t help to cry and thank God that I got to share my story. I don’t know how many people saw it, but I know it was televised and God gave me the chance to tell my story. I believe He will give each of us a chance to tell our story and give Him glory as we persevere.
I thought I was getting close to the end as I heard really loud music. As I got closer I saw a lot of people dancing around, but no finish line. Instead of running across the finish line, I ran by a drink station. I did need more water so the drink station was much welcomed, but not quite what I wanted and expected. I realized many times we think we have come to the end, but in reality God still has a little farther for us to go. In this time of perseverance God is truly our strength.
There was about another mile or so until the finish line. I was beyond exhausted, but there were so many people that I passed who had already finished and were leaving who encouraged me. Many times we have been through what others are currently experiencing and we need to encourage them to keep going and keep believing.
Finally, I reached the finish area and I heard people screaming my name and cheering me on. My feet were hurting beyond belief from blisters, my legs were tired, but my spirit was strong. As we come to the end of what we are persevering through, we will be worn out, but the Lord will still give strength to our spirit. I crossed the finish line and others rejoiced with me and congratulated me. But more than that the Lord spoke into my spirit and said you did it and you will do even greater things as you rely on my strength more and more.
Afterwards, a squad mate let me wear her shoes to help my blistered feet. I moved slow, but I was still going. Even once the trial is over, we still need others to help us and encourage us. We still need our strength to come from the Lord.
So, I learned much about perseverance throughout this journey. I’ve learned that training and preparation is essential. Even when things get tough and seem to come against us we still need to keep persevering. As we persevere people will encourage us and we will encourage other. But sometimes there are not others around to encourage us but we need to get our encouragement from the Lord and make a conscience decision to keep going. As we persevere, people will give is the resources to keep moving forward. The Lord will give us opportunities to tell our story. Many times we have to keep pushing on in perseverance, even when we think we are at the end God just needs us to go a little further. But at the end of the journey others will celebrate with you and help you and encourage you.
At the beginning of this journey I began running the 1/2 marathon in honor of my stepdad, Mike, who passed away from a short 4 month battle with cancer. My goal was to raise $4,000 ($1,000 for each month he fought cancer). The money will be donated to cancer research so a cute can be found. Thank you for all of those who have already donated and who have supported me and encouraged along the way! You can still donate at www.gofundme.com/rememberrunraise
