There’s a new movie out called inception that has to do with “dreams within dreams…” This blog has very little to do with that. However, I’ve been on quite the roadtrip hitting 16 states in the last 16 days and I got into Oklahoma City just in time to go on a mini-trip with Cameron to Arkansas to see his brother Christian’s cross country race. So it was kind of a trip within a trip and I was blessed deeply by it…so much so that I would like to share with you an image…
After driving 4 hours and spending the night in Arkansas, Cameron and I awoke early to grab breakfast and head to the meet. It wasn’t long before the sun was up and my face was starting to turn to it’s normal shade of red. We watched as the college divisions ran their race and meandered through the few thousand spectators and racers to find his family. This race could mark the final race for Christian, Cameron’s “little” brother. While he’s younger, he’s actually quite a bit taller…regardless, it was a beautiful day and it was going to be a couple hours before he was to run. SO, Cameron and I walked around and found his parents and watched some other races.
Those hours passed quickly and it was finally time for the varsity boys to run…about 300 hundred of them or at least it felt like that. I lost Cameron in the fray as he ran to pep up his bro. Soon I was standing along the sidelines as they were off…
Hundreds of boys raced across essentially a football field vying for position before it narrowed to a width of about 10 feet. The race was on…and I waited as they went off out of sight and then soon came back in view. Christian was running well and I could see his focus but soon he was past and off for another lap.
By the time he came back around for the final portion, I was standing next to his mom and her excitement that fixated itself on her son…They had one more small loop around that large field and so we rushed across to the far side to catch another glimpse…My eyes darted throughout the mess of young men until I heard a distinct voice of Christian’s dad behind me…He had noticed him early and was literally SHOUTING and running through the field. This guy has got some serious knee problems and yet I’m not sure who was running faster!
Nearby was Cameron yelling at his brother “FOR THE KING!!!”…
The next thing I know, he was passed us again and we had to dart across that field once again to the finish line…Mom and I running now, I kept my eyes on Christian (and his dad) and enjoyed watching as both kept picking up their pace…
I made it to the finish line just in time to watch a determined man run his guts out in a fantastic finishing kick…Immediately, Cameron and I found our ways to the finish line where you could see a mass of runners with heads down gasping for air…and one young man in the midst of them with his arm raised high and a finger pointing towards heaven. It was Christian.
Cam and I arrived and they immediately embraced each other. Through gasps I heard the first thing said to his older brother; “ I WORSHIPED HIM.”
They kept hugging until dad finally caught up and ran directly to his son…This man was jolting love! He had sooo much to say to his son but was so entirely caught up with emotion that the only thing he could do was to SHOUT YES!!! Yes!!!Yes!!!!Yes!!!!!Yessss!!!!!!!
There was incredible emotion as he sucked the life out (or into?) his son! He kept saying how proud he was and by now I was getting choked up watching the absolute pleasure he had in his son for giving his all…
Holding back tears, I glanced over to see Cameron’s reaction to his brother getting literally all of his father’s love and attention in the moment…was there jealousy? no…not in the least. Knowing Cameron, I didn’t really expect that but processing later I realized how rare that might be. Anyway, he was doubled over already with his hat in one hand and glasses in another. He had taken them off to get a better look at the beauty of his dad pouring out his love on his brother and it brought him sheer joy!
After driving 4 hours and spending the night in Arkansas, Cameron and I awoke early to grab breakfast and head to the meet. It wasn’t long before the sun was up and my face was starting to turn to it’s normal shade of red. We watched as the college divisions ran their race and meandered through the few thousand spectators and racers to find his family. This race could mark the final race for Christian, Cameron’s “little” brother. While he’s younger, he’s actually quite a bit taller…regardless, it was a beautiful day and it was going to be a couple hours before he was to run. SO, Cameron and I walked around and found his parents and watched some other races.
Those hours passed quickly and it was finally time for the varsity boys to run…about 300 hundred of them or at least it felt like that. I lost Cameron in the fray as he ran to pep up his bro. Soon I was standing along the sidelines as they were off…
Hundreds of boys raced across essentially a football field vying for position before it narrowed to a width of about 10 feet. The race was on…and I waited as they went off out of sight and then soon came back in view. Christian was running well and I could see his focus but soon he was past and off for another lap.
By the time he came back around for the final portion, I was standing next to his mom and her excitement that fixated itself on her son…They had one more small loop around that large field and so we rushed across to the far side to catch another glimpse…My eyes darted throughout the mess of young men until I heard a distinct voice of Christian’s dad behind me…He had noticed him early and was literally SHOUTING and running through the field. This guy has got some serious knee problems and yet I’m not sure who was running faster!
Nearby was Cameron yelling at his brother “FOR THE KING!!!”…
The next thing I know, he was passed us again and we had to dart across that field once again to the finish line…Mom and I running now, I kept my eyes on Christian (and his dad) and enjoyed watching as both kept picking up their pace…
I made it to the finish line just in time to watch a determined man run his guts out in a fantastic finishing kick…Immediately, Cameron and I found our ways to the finish line where you could see a mass of runners with heads down gasping for air…and one young man in the midst of them with his arm raised high and a finger pointing towards heaven. It was Christian.
Cam and I arrived and they immediately embraced each other. Through gasps I heard the first thing said to his older brother; “ I WORSHIPED HIM.”
They kept hugging until dad finally caught up and ran directly to his son…This man was jolting love! He had sooo much to say to his son but was so entirely caught up with emotion that the only thing he could do was to SHOUT YES!!! Yes!!!Yes!!!!Yes!!!!!Yessss!!!!!!!
There was incredible emotion as he sucked the life out (or into?) his son! He kept saying how proud he was and by now I was getting choked up watching the absolute pleasure he had in his son for giving his all…
Holding back tears, I glanced over to see Cameron’s reaction to his brother getting literally all of his father’s love and attention in the moment…was there jealousy? no…not in the least. Knowing Cameron, I didn’t really expect that but processing later I realized how rare that might be. Anyway, he was doubled over already with his hat in one hand and glasses in another. He had taken them off to get a better look at the beauty of his dad pouring out his love on his brother and it brought him sheer joy!
(This actually isn’t Christian…or his race today…really, I don’t know who this is but I never have pictures and I figured I’d give it a little bit of a shot 🙂 )
I have been trying to slow down and saturate myself with His delight because it brings life to me and to others. Today, I got a glimpse of a man with the Father’s heart love a son with the desire to honor his Father and a brother who loved seeing his brother get blessed…no comparison added.
What an honor. What a delight! The Caviness family honored Him well today and I’m sure He delighted in showing them His pleasure. Also, maybe that’s why He put it on my heart to honor them because he that honors Him will be honored.
Regardless, all I know is that I want to give my all to the last drop to worship my King and to have him so jacked at the end of the race that all He can do is sweep me into His arms and yell YESSSSSSS!!!! I also know that I want to be stirred and jacked myself when I see my Father blessing my brothers and sisters…I want to cheer them on…
1Therefore, 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. 2Let
us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who
for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and
sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.(Hebrews 12)
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. 2Let
us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who
for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and
sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.(Hebrews 12)
