A conversation I had with a friend yesterday revolved almost entirely around how much time has flown by, how June is almost through and how it feels as though just yesterday I had been sharing for the first time that I was going on the race. Upon ending the conversation she stated “I am proud of you” and I had no words. In the past months people have assumed that I hear those words often, that with something this big I must receive nothing short of excitement in the wake of this decision. However, that isn’t usually the common response. More often, people respond with shock, fear and sometimes envy which often warrants a reply of something like, “be careful” or “wow, a year is a long time.” Sometimes people even question why I would ever choose to do something like this implying that I am ill equipped or unfit. I rarely hear words of genuine affirmation or the simple phrase, “I’m proud of you” and when a friend said those words to me, I felt a sense of peace knowing that my decision yesterday, to go on the race, was the right decision because this decision has to be made every single day and today I will choose yet again to go on the race.
Every day I have to make the decision to follow Jesus. Every day I have to make the decision to live in His grace. Every day I have to choose freedom over guilt and shame. Everyday I have to make the decision to live like Jesus and every single day I have to make the decision to say yes to where God is leading me. None of which seem easy right now but every single day those decisions are worth it.
So, to all of my squad-mates and future teammates, I am proud of you. I am proud of you for making the decision to go; for persevering through the challenges and the joys that come with preparation of this magnitude. I am proud of you for making the decision to become more like Jesus everyday in your pursuit of becoming the person that you were always meant to be. I am so incredibly proud of you.
