Pushing Through the Pain

 

This race has pushed me further than I ever could have thought for myself. I have grown immensely spiritually, emotionally, mentally, grammatically (heh) and physically. I have gotten to the tops of more mountains than I ever thought possible, both literally and metaphorically.

 

A few days ago we got the opporunity to go to a Wildlife Preserve and National Park. I was very excited to see Zebras and take in the beauitful sights and fresh air. We even took the top off of our Safari Van so that we could all stand up while driving through the park. It was really cool. We saw Waterbucks, these weird skunk looking monkeys and even some Elk. We ventured through a very cold cave, and I got to take some really sweet pictures. As I thought the wonderful day was coming to an end, a suggestion was made to go up the bluff, the very top of Mt. Elgon. While the suggestion was made, he pointed to the van and said it would only take about 20 minutes. I figured we were goign to drive up there, and it would be a great sight! Of course I was in. Oh man, if I only knew what I was in for.

By this point, I had really had enough. I might have looked like a real hiker, wearing my chacos and a flannel shirt, but obviously I was not cut out for this intense of a hike. I was going to end the hike right there. I was just going to wait for everyone to come back, then steal their pictures to pretend that I went there, too. But just past the rocky clearing was a long, flat, wheat field. It was very picture-esque, if I might add. And something inside of me just pushed me forward. I walked through this field a little terrified. Just waiting to turn the bend a see another steep incline. Thankfully I was pleasantly surprised to find the rocky bluff that looked so far away from down below. I was FINALLY standing on top of it! The sigh of relief and pride that released from my mouth could have probably been heard in the whole park. The view from up there was breathtaking. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to see something like that. Wow.

 

So why did I tell yall this long story about me hiking a random mountain in Kenya? Well, there have been many times in my life, on this race, and in this month where I just get tired of “pushing through” and perservering, and growing in general. Growing pains HURT! And honestly, sometimes I think that its not possible for me to change anymore. I am done. I hit my “change and growth” limit for the rest of my life. Yeah, I might only be 21 (but almost 22 in less than a month!) but I have lived a lot of life in that short amount of time! But the point is, just when we think we are done, God always has more in store for us. He never ceases to blow my mind and amaze me. Just when I think it can’t get any better…it does! My point is, I could have ended my hike just before the finish line. Yeah, that view was okay, good enough for me, because it was easier for me to give up. But God had more for me, if I only trusted Him, pushed through the pain, just a little bit longer, for a view and feeling that will stay with me forever.

I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.