I am a runner and love to spend time on the road with my music, thoughts and often prayer. I pray through the miles, sometimes I assign specific people to the miles and have found when the person is struggling that mile is a struggle. I struggle with hills, wind, heat and fatigue. I was gearing up for Grandma’s Marathon 2021 and had found out that my childhood best friend had been admitted to the hospital with complications from her cancer battle. She’s a runner too and had been wanting to complete a marathon. With thoughts of her filling my mind I started a list of names, names of people who had needs, struggles and life obstacles. I wanted the hardest miles, 20-26 to have the names of those with the heaviest burden. Kristie would be mile 26 to the finish.
Isaiah 43:1
But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I
have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
Nausea and leg cramps started a mile 24, I had to walk and stretch my calves. I would finish this! By mile 26 I was repeating Kristie’s name as prayer for God to be with her. I had purposely not checked my messages before the race for fear that she had passed away. I crossed the finish line and two weeks later Kristie crossed her finish line as well. During the last two weeks of her life I was able to visit her twice. She smiled, laughed, reminisced and encouraged me. I continue to write her name on my arm during races, to pray for her family and thank God for the lessons she taught me.
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