Day 93: Perseverance

Nikki, you can do this, just keep on walking/running to the finish line," I told myself while I was on mile 18 in the San Diego Rock-N-Roll Marathon this past June. My feet were hurting, the skin on my face was burning, due to lack of sunscreen applied, my legs just would not run anymore, and I was starving. For one thing, a marathon is pretty much crazy to accomplish. Seriously, who in their right mind would dedicated months of training to a single day of work (I'm raising my hand). Whatever the subject is that is being prepared for is the goal. The thing that needs to get done. It needs to be in the past, not really in a negative sense, but there is anticipation to it. My mind was prepared for miles 18-20. I heard that was the hardest, to my discovery yes it was. Really mile 20 was the killer. My feet all of a sudden just started throbbing, my ankles felt fat, and my energy level was gone. I felt blisters on my feet, now I know not to change my socks I have been training in the week before the big day. I walked mile 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26. Oh ya, it was great. I was relaxed, as much as I could be, and my time was of no concern by now. Previously in Nikki's running world, I had written on my calender 3 half marathons. Successfully I managed to drag myself past the finish line all three times. I never considered myself an athlete. In my high school years I played basketball, a little, I did like volleyball, but I really enjoyed cheerleading. So as the reader can see, my athletic abilities were minimal when God created me. I do not feel cheated that I didn't score 50 points in a basketball game, or really know how to spike the ball. I just know that there is no room for practicing those specific things that I really don't enjoy. Cheerleading was another story. Whether or not you feel it can be put in the "sport" category is of no importance. I still am really horrible at sports. My lovely sister called me one day and asked me to join her in a half marathon. I accepted the offer, trained as much as I could, and then really loved it to be honest. The thrill of finishing, the t-shirt, the metal, the crowd, and then the blessed conversations emerge. Yes, I did it, I didn't quit, I didn't talk myself out of it, I just ran....well, ran/walked. Now I can say I gladly completed all 3 half marathons, and with the help of my beloved savior Jesus, he guided me to the finish line in my first marathon. 26.2 miles is a long way. I could not have done it without him. Isn't that how our lives are? We just run/walk to our goals, passing others, so we can get where we are going. Busy, busy people living life one appointment at a time. Ignoring those that we are running or walking with. Don't pass up the opportunity to bless someone you are standing beside. Those in your work place, or family. People that you see everyday at the grocery store or gas station. Reach out, give of yourself to see them come to know your God. My challenge to the readers today, don't let a great moment go by where you could have been Jesus to someone:)