This past week I have been on a family trip to Texas. We came down to attend a wedding, and visit with family. So far, the trip has been great! Traveling is a lot of fun, I find a lot of joy in it. I love seeing new places, exploring and talking to new people. This really is a big world and I am so glad that I get to see it. Granted, 11 countries is minimal compared to the entire world, but I will see a large portion of it.
Being on the road, I have an opportunity to run in new places. I got to run in Baldwin City, Kansas, Malakoff, Texas and this morning I ran along the south coast of Texas in Galvaston. The best part of it all, I got to wear shorts!! I hear back home they are trudging through several inches of fresh snow.
Last Saturday I had a long run. I had to get 13 miles in. So with my GPS Garmin watch and my running shoes I left the B&B at about 7:30 am. It was a beautiful morning. I got to watch the sun come up, and there was a slight breeze that kept me cool the entire trip. It was an out and back run. I ran out 6.5 miles, turned around and ran 6.5 miles back. Malakoff is located near a large lake, and I got to run across 2 bridges that went over the water, it was incredible.
I got to mile 6.5 and turned around, heading back. It wasn't but a mile after I turned around, I saw my Dad coming down the road on his Harley. 🙂 He saw my note I left and came out to find me. It always brings a smile to my face when I see him. Somewhere in the back of my mind I just knew that he'd show up before the run was over. I am glad he came. He brought me a much needed drink too! I know my Dad is proud of his Girl.
I was at mile 11 and I was getting tired. Wait a minute, I was tired. I was pooped! I had just about 2 miles left and I was ready to be done. At this point, I was on my way up a gradual incline which seemed to be sucking the little energy I had left, right out of me. All I wanted to do was give up. It was too hard and I was too tired.
I know God speaks to me out there. I probably hear his voice the clearest when I am running. I might have been complaining at this point. Telling Him I was so tired and I just wanted to be done. His words were simple.
"You're not finished yet."
Indeed I was not. I still had a mile to go. It was the last mile. My whole being was tired. My muscles ached, my feet hurt, and my mind was tried of trying. I was ready to give in. But I wasn't finished yet. My run was not complete. I still had another mile left.
Once I realized where I was, something happened. It just clicked. I was still tired, but something in my mind switched. I was in the race again. I picked up the pace, I ran harder. I set out to run these 13 miles and run them I would. I would not quite.
I can proudly say I finished the run. I didn't stop. I really wanted to, but I never gave in. Something funny happened too. You see, that last mile, I was able to run it faster then any of the miles before it.
I see this in life too. Sometimes life get hard, we get exhausted and we can't see taking another step further. It is just too hard. But remember, we are all in a race and we can't give up. No matter what, we must keep going. We can keep going. I am thankful for God's encouragement in my life. He really helps we to keep running.
It is not if we get tired, but when. Because we all will at some point. My encouragement to you is that you will make it. Not by your own strength, but with God's help. And when you are at the point of giving up, God will give you the strength. Not just to keep going, but to fly. And that last mile will be something incredible.
