Finish the Race
"I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7 ISV
The word race can be translated into the Greek word, agon from which we get agony. Anyone who has run in a race, or competed in a race can attest to the truth in that translation. I ran a half marathon once and it played out true to it's Greek roots. The first six miles were run on pure adrenaline and the excitement of being in something so incredible. The next four miles were okay with sights to see and things to think about to get my mind off of the task at hand. At ten miles, with roughly three miles to go, my body became all too acutely aware of my plans and began to talk back to me. The last three miles, with ten behind me, were truly agony.
We've all run races that were hardest in the end. Pregnancy is toughest during those last days and into the delivery of the baby. Your body hurts, your feet are swelling your resolve is almost broken. Deployments are the same way, the last three months can easily be the hardest. You are so close to coming home that you can smell it, yet the runway remains empty, your bags cannot be packed and the days drag on. At home, the same is true. You know you are in the home stretch, your time apart from your Service member is long past the halfway mark, yet the countdown rings or calendar still have time left. There are still important milestones ahead and the time drags on.
I'm five weeks in to a six to eight week injury. Only weeks from now the rehabilitation of my broken foot will begin. Just around the corner I'll be standing on two feet. Yet the callouses on my hands have callouses and my foot cannot touch the ground. I still cannot drive, I still need a walker or crutches or a wheelchair to do anything. My spirit is weary, my resolve is waining, doubts in myself are creeping in.
This is where we have to push through. It is the times like these that define who we really are or can be. I cannot get this far and then hesitate to go the distance. The road ahead is tough. Even when I can walk again there will be painful, frustrating and tiring days. Even when a family reunites, the reintegration has it's bumps. Even once the baby arrives, the adjustment to being a family can be hard. No matter what lies ahead, we have to finish the race. No matter how agonizing we have to keep the faith.
Remember what you are made of and where you are headed and keep on keeping on.
The word race can be translated into the Greek word, agon from which we get agony. Anyone who has run in a race, or competed in a race can attest to the truth in that translation. I ran a half marathon once and it played out true to it's Greek roots. The first six miles were run on pure adrenaline and the excitement of being in something so incredible. The next four miles were okay with sights to see and things to think about to get my mind off of the task at hand. At ten miles, with roughly three miles to go, my body became all too acutely aware of my plans and began to talk back to me. The last three miles, with ten behind me, were truly agony.
We've all run races that were hardest in the end. Pregnancy is toughest during those last days and into the delivery of the baby. Your body hurts, your feet are swelling your resolve is almost broken. Deployments are the same way, the last three months can easily be the hardest. You are so close to coming home that you can smell it, yet the runway remains empty, your bags cannot be packed and the days drag on. At home, the same is true. You know you are in the home stretch, your time apart from your Service member is long past the halfway mark, yet the countdown rings or calendar still have time left. There are still important milestones ahead and the time drags on.
I'm five weeks in to a six to eight week injury. Only weeks from now the rehabilitation of my broken foot will begin. Just around the corner I'll be standing on two feet. Yet the callouses on my hands have callouses and my foot cannot touch the ground. I still cannot drive, I still need a walker or crutches or a wheelchair to do anything. My spirit is weary, my resolve is waining, doubts in myself are creeping in.
This is where we have to push through. It is the times like these that define who we really are or can be. I cannot get this far and then hesitate to go the distance. The road ahead is tough. Even when I can walk again there will be painful, frustrating and tiring days. Even when a family reunites, the reintegration has it's bumps. Even once the baby arrives, the adjustment to being a family can be hard. No matter what lies ahead, we have to finish the race. No matter how agonizing we have to keep the faith.
Remember what you are made of and where you are headed and keep on keeping on.
Just received your letter and thank you so much for always taking the time to include me. I didn't even know you had a blog. It's interesting how I was lead here. Truly amazing stories. Been thinking alot about you. Praying your trip with family is beautiful and you can get around ok. Merry Christmas and much love to all.
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