This morning my daughter ran in the Niagra Falls
Marathon. This particular marathon is
known to have one of the most beautiful places where you can end a race. In fact it is considered one of the most
beautiful finish lines in the world, not to mention one of the wonders of the
world. The particular race she
participated in was the Half Marathon, 21.1 kilometers. Devon said the day was beautiful, blue skies
radiating off the water that stretched the length of the route and the trees that were scattered along the way were colors only Ontario knows, vibrant in their beauty. And my beautiful daughter running through it
all taking it in, I wished I had been there.
I told Devon the night before the race to enjoy it, to go
with God…to have fun, to laugh and to cry. Tears of joy…tears of emotions met…these are some of the best tears.
I have just finished talking with my girl and shed some of
my own tears as she relayed to me the details of her run, her half
marathon. To me it almost seems an
oxymoron to call it a ‘half’ marathon. A
Marathon, just the word requires thoughts of work. While you are running, your
heart rate goes up and your oxygen level thins, it is hard work and all the
parts of your body have to be prepared and trained.
Though I have never been a runner let alone a marathon
racer, I understand how it works, how it affects the body. Nearly 3 years ago my husband was in a
marathon, yet he was not a runner at all, but his heart took him into one. His heart rate for two weeks, day and night,
was at the pace of a runner in the middle of a marathon. His heart was racing so fast that his maximum
oxygen capacity was being utilized. Nothing could be done to give him enough
oxygen to supply his hearts need…the need in order to finish this mad marathon
he was on. Yes, he endured the race and by the
grace of God, he finished well.
My daughter, running her race, thinking of her marathon and finishing well, brings me back to all these memories. And it is an honor in a way; it is a
reminder of how we can show honor to those who have gone before us, run the race…finish
well.
When I told her what was on my mind, she said “Mom, Dad was
running right beside me”
I love that.
“…and let us run with endurance the race that is set out before us.” Hebrews 12:1
