If any of you remember, exactly a year ago, I wrote a blog about running. If you want to read it, here’s the link:
https://allisoncrasi.theworldrace.org/post/the-best-things-in-life-are-unforeseen
Soon after I posted that blog, I actually sprained my ankle pretty bad. I had to give up running pretty much indefinitely at that point. I was super frustrated, because I was building my endurance and decided I wanted to train for a half marathon. So much for that. I got over it pretty quickly though, trusting that the Lord had other plans.
My ankle didn’t fully heal until September of this last year. About a six-month recovery. And even then, every once in a while, my ankle will give out, and I’ll twist it uncomfortably. Not fun. But on the Race, most times, it’s hard to find a space to work out, let alone a gym to lift weights, so running becomes the only viable option to get in a good sweat.
I started running here and there, nothing consistent. It became a fun way to get one-on-one time with teammates, and to see how far I could push myself. I even ran a 5k race in South Africa! But it wasn’t until this last month in Laos that one of my teammates and I randomly decided to start training for a 10k. Because why not? We started running every other day with a training app on my phone. My inner competitor became motivated to complete each of the training sessions to the best of my ability.
Well, now we’re in Bangkok, Thailand and still, I’m using the app to train. The hustle and bustle of the cityscape compared to the quiet, dirt streets of Laos keeps my energy high through the entirety of my runs, thanks to the consistent stimulation. I’ve learned to enjoy the challenge of dodging street food carts & motorbikes, and trying to beat the crosswalk timers so as not to have stop my run abruptly. I love it.
This last run I took I was alone, and because I didn’t have a running partner to motivate me, I asked the Lord to sustain me Himself. But I went even further to ask Him not only to help me survive the run, but to help me THRIVE and run faster than ever before.
This particular session lasted 70 minutes, longer than I’d ever run previously. It was intimidating. I thought for sure it’d take everything out of me. But I prayed against that, put worship music in my ears, and headed out.
I never realized the power of worship during a workout until this moment.
I felt free.
Powerful.
Like I could conquer anything.
Because through Christ, who gives me strength, I can do anything, even in the weakness of my flesh.
What a gift the Father gives us! He empowers us through His Spirit, and gives us the strength to overcome difficult things. Like running 5.5 miles.
But the best part…
The best part of this run happened about 5 minutes before it was over.
That final five minutes was the hardest. I was so close. My feet were tired. My head was starting to hurt from dehydration (the Thailand humidity is no joke!!!).
This is where I came to the end of myself. Lord, I need You. Only You can bring me through.
He never fails us.
A moment later, I saw a father and his daughter in front of me, walking. He was walking her to school, her backpack slung across his left shoulder. She was maybe ten years old, holding his right arm with both of hers, leaning into his side as they walked leisurely. I didn’t think much of the encounter; I mean, I’ve seen so many fathers walk their daughters to school while on the Race. But the moment that he took a second out of their walk to look her in the eyes, grab her cheek, and kiss it ever-so-gently, I about lost it. It was a casual kiss. They kept on walking afterward, like it was no big deal. Which it wasn’t, technically. This should be normal. A normal sign of affection from a father to his daughter.
But surprisingly, this was the first time I’d seen a father show affection of this magnitude to his daughter while on the Race. Now I’m not saying that dads don’t kiss their kids overseas, but I just haven’t witnessed it. This was the first time in almost nine months, and it just so happened to have come at a time when I needed a reminder.
The kiss not only warmed my heart, thinking of all the times that my dad and I would walk together, hand-in-hand, down city streets, discussing my childlike curiosity of the world, but it gave me another, much grander, vision.
A vision of my Father in Heaven and I.
Together. In intimacy. Holding hands. Feeling His physical presence. Leaning into His soft, safe, welcoming arms. Knowing that I’m completely taken care of when I’m with Him.
And although I cannot wait for the day when that physical moment comes into reality, I find just as much peace in the spiritual reality of that comfort.
My Dad and I were on a run together. He was holding my sweaty hand, encouraging me to keep going, building my strength and endurance along the way. He was saying to me, “you’re already worth it”. “You’re already loved”. “You’re altogether perfect, my love.”
And out of this place of knowing my worth and identity, I gave my deepest expression of worship. Of gratitude and honor. For He is holy, worthy, mighty, and a more perfect Father than we could ever possibly understand. And He chose to love us.
This is what pushed me to finish my run stronger than ever. I pray that every single person reading this knows just how loved and truly valued they are by the Most High. This realization has changed my life. And I want it to change yours. Because life has never been so beautiful and worth living!!!
Thank You, Jesus, for choosing me.
Thank You, Jesus, for giving me the chance to know my Father. Intimately.
Thank You, God, for giving me each breath that I breathe, and each of my limbs that allow me to run and give You glory.
Thank You, God, for changing every crosswalk signal to green when I came upon it.
Thank You, God, for giving me this beautiful reminder of the great love and pursuit You show me, every day.
How blessed I am.
xoxo,
Allison
