Coming around the corner at month 8, I knew that I was struggling. I am over half way through this race, yet the thought of 3 more months of this made my heart sink. I am not going to lie. Sometimes the race is hard. Actually a lot of the time it is challenging. In more ways than one.
I was at the point in a race where I was really dreading the path ahead. For me, it is a mental battle. It started at debrief. My mind desires what is easy, what is comfortable and whatever causes the least amount of effort. Home is that place where I think that I’ll be satisfied. “If only I could just go home.” This is the thought that races through my mind, it gets so loud sometimes that I start to question whether or not I should actually do what my mind is telling me.
These thoughts are lies. They start out so small and innocent and Satin tries to use them detour me from the mission.
But God is good. He knew just what I needed.
I breeze through debrief. I enjoy the rest and relaxation that comes with it. All the while wondering how in the world I am going to make it through the last 3 months. Mentally I am tired and I don’t know if I can mentally push myself anymore. Then who do I see on the path up ahead of me?
None other than my Dad.
He is standing there in the exact spot that I need. He has the biggest smile on his face! He encourages me and says, “I am so proud of you Paige, keep going!” He believes in me. He believes that I can finish strong even when I think that I can not take another step forward. He loves me and knows that I will not give up.
He was just what I needed. My face lite up with the biggest smile when I saw him. One of my favorite people in the entire world flew 5+ hours down to join with me on this crazy adventure. He traveled alone too! (Not one of his favorite things in the world.) It was just the encouragement I need to dig my feet in and pick up my pace.
I will finish strong. I will run the race. I am not finished yet.
I also think back to my running races before the Race and remember that my Dad came to every stinkin’ one of those races. So I shouldn’t have been surprised to see him cheer me on out here.
Dad,
Thank you for coming to see me. It meant the world to me. I love you and I will see you very soon. Thanks for being my biggest fan. I love you!
Pray for me to really dig in these last 3 months.
Pray for me as a leader of my team that I lead not out of my own strength, but out of His strength.
