Share the Comfort

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

In a story titled “Runner struggling with eating disorder felt ‘less alone’ after opening up,” the writer said an advocate for mental health surrounding eating disorders says it’s important to open up and get help if you’re struggling. Grandville native Rachael Steil was a successful high school and college cross-country runner who struggled with an eating disorder. “I had always had some body image issues. Growing up, I think that’s sort of natural — not that you want that to happen,” Stiel told News 8 Monday. She said she started cutting calories when she was a senior in high school and the eating disorder worsened with the big life change of going to college… She eventually told her mother about how she was struggling with food and then posted a blog sharing her experience. “So many other people reached out and I felt so much less alone,” she said. She said athletes are two to three times more likely to struggle with an eating disorder…Steil not only wrote a book chronicling her trial, but is now a coach who speaks about her struggles to others.

And, you know, when it comes to sharing our struggles with others in an attempt to remind them that not only are they not alone in their fight but that there is hope in overcoming their struggle and comfort in the midst of their battle, the Bible tells us that God, who is called “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort… comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” This means one great purpose of God in comforting us is that it enables us to bring that same comfort to others. You see, when believers go through difficulties and trials and are delivered by the hand of God from them, they aren’t to keep it to themselves but are to share how God brought them through it. In doing so, they bring hope to those experiencing the same struggle. 

So, if God has delivered you from affliction, addiction, or adversity today, say so my friend! Don’t keep what the Lord has done to yourself. By sharing what the Lord has done for you, you remind others that they are not alone and that the Father of compassion can do it for them too—which will fill them with the comfort and peace that only the Lord can provide. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that the comfort You provide comes not only from the Holy Spirit but also through fellow believers who provide others with hope through their testimonies. Lord, help us to be transparent with our struggles that we might redeem our pain by sharing the way You always turn for good those things the enemy means for evil. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Volunteers Rock!

 

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let’s get started by talking about two things that go together like peanut butter and jelly… racing and volunteering. Why? Because races can’t take place without volunteers and because most of the volunteers are racers themselves. Why? Because racers enjoy running and reaching finish lines as much they enjoy helping others run and reach finish lines. This is why you will regularly see Bass Pro Fitness Series runners both participating in and volunteering at local Springfield events and beyond.

See those smiling faces in the photo above? Those selfless souls not only helped me get to the finish line of the Frisco Railroad Run Saturday, they helped a record number of other runners make it there as well. Between their encouraging words, their keeping the snacks coming and the personal filling of the runners’ hydration devices, these volunteers made the race better for everyone! Just ask any of the runners who were there.

Which is the very reason I asked them to share with you the reason(s) they volunteer. And why you should too! After all, we can’t have races without smiling faces. So without further ado… check out what these people who are worth their weight in gold had to say:

I volunteer because I have been that person on more than one occasion whose race was literally saved by a knowledgeable and caring volunteer who knew exactly what to say and do to fix an issue I was having. I know how important it is, particularly in ultras, to have those people out there, supporting not only runners but their crews as well. And these events wouldn't even happen without the tireless efforts of race directors and their armies of volunteers making sure things go off as planned on race day. Volunteering and knowing you were possibly instrumental in helping someone achieve his or her goal is richly rewarding and I highly recommend the experience to anyone who wants to witness some of the best of humanity out on a race course! - Stephanie Lane

Because i know how much work it takes to get through a long hard run….and being a part of someone’s success is a great feeling! I love seeing people do dumb-hard things!!!! ♥️ - Jill Brockman

I volunteer to give back to the running community. But mostly because I truly enjoy helping runners get to that finish line. Whether it is a cold towel to refresh their face or massaging a cramped muscle. I hope I bring a smile or bit of relief to them when they are at my aide station. I use humor quite a bit to ease the seriousness of their mind when the dig gets deep. But I can also slap them on the butt and tell them to keep moving and get out of my aide station! - Heidi Thomas

I started volunteering after my race at Frisco in 2023. It was at that race that I myself experienced the difference that volunteers make when doing the long distances and how they can be the entire reason you finish. I wanted to be able to help other runners, especially the back of the pack runners, meet their goals and succeed. Plus for them to feel less alone in the struggle. For me it was about giving back and helping in the same way that I was helped in my first ultra. I know all too well what it can feel like to hit the pain cave and have nobody there to support you, so for me it was putting myself in a position to be that support in whatever way a runner needs so they don’t feel alone in that moment. - Makayla Cornelius

Absolutely love helping others! Being in an aid station is the give back to the running community that gives my huband and I inspiration to be better! Runners are the most positive people in the world! I leave an aid station feeling accomplished and ready to take on my next goal! Plus, it is a fun fun, fun time! If you work with me, you should know I love to laugh! I ❤️ crewing runners and aid stations! I will take great care of you!! And then we might become friends! #KINGCREWYOU - Lisa King

“so I don’t have to run” - Dylan McGuire

I volunteer for all the good reasons already mentioned. And for the leftover cold pizza. - Chris Hines

I enjoy playing a small role and watching people achieve their goals. I love seeing all the different levels of goals that runners have from a 5k and don't die to 200 miles. - David Murphy

And there you have it friends. Running makes a person happy but so does volunteering! So look for opportunities to bless others (click here for some awesome BPFS opportunities) knowing that you yourself will be blessed in the process. Happy Running!

Timing is Everything

“For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me.” 1 Corinthians 16:7-9 BSB

In a story published by the AP News over the weekend, it was reported that Kenyan runner Sabastian Sawe was the winner of the prestigious London Marathon. The Kenyan runner made a solo breakaway with more than 10 kilometers left and never looked like wavering in the sunshine as he cruised to victory in the London Marathon on Sunday. Sawe pulled away from a leading group of nine runners about 90 minutes into the race and finished in 2 hours, 2 minutes and 27 seconds. Sawe made his move when his rivals slowed down at a drinks station — opting not to take any water despite temperatures that crept toward 18 C (64) as the elite runners were finishing. “I saw that was my opportunity to push,” Sawe said. “And I ran well.” So well that the only rival who was able to give chase was Jacob Kiplimo, the half marathon world record holder who was making his full marathon debut. But Kiplimo was never able to get close to erasing the gap, and the Ugandan finished 70 seconds back in second place.

And, you know, as this story shows, the timing of a person’s actions can determine their success. Sawe saw an opportunity to “push” and immediately took it. The apostle Paul also knew that timing was everything and, although he wanted to go through the region of Macedonia to spend “some time” in Corinth, he said he would only do so “if the Lord” permitted it. Meanwhile, Paul would stay in Ephesus as the Lord directed him because an opportunity or “great door for effective work” had opened. Paul knew that following the Lord’s plan was more important than following his own which is the very reason he would stay in the place God wanted him to. One more thing Paul knew was this… opposition most always accompanies opportunities (as we can see in Acts 19). And when (not if) this happens, believers need to “push” through the many that might oppose them.  

So, model the example of Paul who modeled the example of Jesus my friend—remembering that timing is everything. Stay where God tells you to stay until He tells you to go… and then keep going until He tells you to stop, no matter what opposition you might face along the way. It will be worth it in the end when you can confidently declare, “I ran well.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that your ways are higher than ours so that we will trust and follow your plan rather than our own. Help us to recognize the opportunities You give us to preach the Gospel Lord and to be discerning as to when we are to push or to pause. Help us to run the race set before us well so that we might bring You glory. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Earnestly Pray Without Ceasing

“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” Acts 12:5 NIV

As I crossed the finish line of Saturday’s Frisco Railroad Run 50 mile race, I immediately hugged my husband and began to cry over the goodness of God. For more than ten hours I had been in silent prayer asking the Lord over and over again to give me the strength to continue running the race, and He had once again proved Himself faithful. Not only did the Lord answer that prayer, though, He provided cloud cover and cool temps for the entire race just as I had petitioned for as well. If that wasn’t enough to bring me to tears, what my husband said after I had regained my composure and accepted my hard-earned buckle, had me sobbing once again. “You’re going to be so happy honey,” he said. “Dylan is getting baptized!” “What? Are you kidding?” No,” he said with a huge smile on his face. “It’s true!” “That’s awesome!” I replied enthusiastically. “Praise the Lord for this answered prayer!” As we continued to celebrate God for His faithfulness in answering our prayer for our dear friend and fellow ultrarunner of many years to go all in for Jesus, we vowed to continue praying earnestly for Dylan (that he would continue to grow in knowledge and faith) and all the others on our prayer list (some of whom have been on there for countless years), no matter how long it took for those prayers to be answered. 

And, you know, when it comes to prayers, one thing is certain… believers should NEVER stop praying. Especially when they consider that some prayers, like the church’s prayer for Peter’s release from prison, happen quickly, while other prayers, like Hannah’s prayer for a son, aren’t answered for years. In fact, the church’s prayer for Peter was answered so quickly that when Peter arrived at Mary’s house (after the angel led him out), where the church was gathered and petitioning on his behalf, the servant girl who heard Peter’s voice at the door was so surprised that she forgot to let him in the house. 

So, whether you’ve been praying for someone or something for a day, a month, a year, or even a decade or more, don’t stop praying my friend. Especially when it comes to the salvation of a loved one! It’s that important!

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that some prayers are answered quickly while other prayers take time, patience, and consistent petition before they’re answered. Help us to understand that Your timing is perfect Lord so we won’t lose hope or give up when we aren’t seeing results. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

*Sweet Larry and I had the blessing of witnessing Dylan’s baptism (and many others!) yesterday and it was absolutely beautiful! Heaven was rejoicing along with us when he came up out of the water! You can view it here at about the 1 hour 12 minute mark. I hope it inspires you to accept Jesus as your Savior if you have not already done so. 

We Work for the Lord

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 NIV

In a story titled “Local runner returns home after competing in prestigious marathon,” WAPT16 Mississippi News reported that local runner, Gabrielle Hodson, was back home after competing in one of the country's most prestigious and historically significant races: The Boston Marathon. Flowood native Gabrielle Hodson isn't new to marathons, but it was her first time competing in this race. Hodson says training for Boston was like working a full-time job. She ran at least 50 miles a week. But in the end, she says it was worth it. Although this was her first time competing in the Boston Marathon, she told us she plans to continue training to qualify again next year.

And, you know, when it comes to working full-time, the Bible tells us that whatever we do, we are to work at it with all our heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since we know that we will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. In writing that verse Paul was encouraging believers to approach their work with enthusiasm and passion, treating it as an act of service to God rather than merely a job done for human masters. This principle, you can be sure, applies to all aspects of our lives—from employment to household tasks, and even to how we treat others. You see, believers are called to put their full effort and dedication into their work and even into their training because, ultimately, it is the Lord Christ they are serving. Which means our work is valued by God and should always be done to please God. Do you just love that or what? 

So, whatever you do, do it with your whole heart so as to bring glory to God’s name my friend. And remember that serving Him is a full-time job. No matter what we’re doing, we’re always on the clock and need to labor accordingly, knowing it will be worth it in the end. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that if we are your followers, we are to serve You at all times, in all places, and in all ways. Help us to understand Lord that we may not see our rewards for faithful service to You here but will be rewarded when we reach the other side, which means our hard work will be worth it in the end. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Keep your Eyes on what is Unseen

“while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” 2 Corinthians 4:18 NKJV

In a heartwarming story published by BOSTON.com Tuesday, it was reported that: As Brazilian runner Pedro Arieta, 34, headed down Boylston Street, his quest to finish the 2025 Boston Marathon was nearly complete. Arieta and his wife, professional runner Luíza Cravo de Azevedo, were both running their hardest on Monday. With the finish line in sight, Arieta’s personal goal of 2:40:00 was still attainable. But as dozens of elite runners cruised past without a second glance, Arieta put aside his personal aspirations and stopped to help Shawn Goodwin, 35, of Boston, get back on his feet. Several spectators posted videos of Arieta’s act of kindness, which quickly amassed millions of views on social media. On Tuesday morning, Arieta, who ultimately finished with a time of 2:41:29, shared a post on Instagram detailing his experience. “The Boston Marathon surprised me in more ways than one,” Arieta wrote. “It was impossible to run past someone who needed help reaching their dream finish line and not help them complete the Boston Marathon.” Cravo, who finished with a time of 2:52:36, commented about how proud she was of her husband. “The essence of sport to me is that right there,” Cravo wrote. “You dreamed about a sub 2:40 and when you were ALMOST there, God used you to lose a few minutes and do something with much more meaning.”

Do you just love that or what? Because Pedro was obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, God used him to do something that had much more meaning than reaching his time goal—something that could be seen but had no eternal impact. And this is the very reason Paul exhorts every believer to keep their focus on “the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” In other words, rather than “looking at the things which are seen” which are the momentary, visible things of this world like personal goals and the acquisition of personal belongings, we are to always look to the Lord and seek His will above all else. This is what truly defines success. Furthermore, Pedro’s finish time will never be remembered but what he did for a complete stranger will. You see, ONLY what we do for Christ will have lasting significance. Paul clearly understood this and so considered any other pursuit to be rubbish. 

C.T. Studd was also a man who knew this. Born into wealth and destined for affluence, Studd’s life changed during college at Cambridge after he gave his life to Jesus. He was said to be the Michael Jordan of cricket in his day. And while many expected for him to play professionally and return to London to embrace a life of fame and fortune, Studd chose to forsake the world (things which are seen) for the sake of participating in God's global purposes (things which are not seen) and penned these precious words…

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last. And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be, If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.
So, make it your mission to live on fire for Jesus my friend—always remembering that true success is measured by how we served Christ not by what we’ve achieved or acquired. After all, our service to Him is the only thing that will last for eternity. 
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we must keep our eyes on what is unseen rather than what is seen so that we might always view life through an eternal lens. Help us to give up our will each and every day Lord to do your will that the lamp of our lives might be burned out for thee. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 
Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Key Lessons from the Boston Marathon

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about what took place on Monday... the Boston Marathon! Known for its demanding course and rich history, this iconic race (which I've had the blessing of running several times) can teach us several valuable lessons that are applicable to various aspects of life apart from running, including personal development, relationships, and resilience. Which means, there are takeaways for everyone--runners and nonrunners, and short distance runners and long distance runners. Because the Boston Marathon (and the marathon in general) highlights the importance of preparation, perseverance, staying positive even in the face of challenges, and cultivating strong connections, we can learn from it. The marathon experience also underscores the need for mental fortitude, focusing on the fundamentals, and being able to execute your race day plan even when you're not in the mood and/or things are not going as planned. 

So without further ado, check out some "Key Lessons from the Boston Marathon":

Preparation is crucial:
Training for a marathon, including consistent running, cross-training, strength training, and proper nutrition, is essential for success. There's no substitute for preparation!

Perseverance and discipline:

Overcoming the physical and mental challenges of a marathon requires discipline and the ability to persevere even when faced with fatigue or discomfort.

Staying positive:
Maintaining a positive attitude and mindset is crucial for navigating the marathon's demanding course and overcoming setbacks. 

Mental resilience:
Developing the ability to think through problems, remain calm under pressure, and execute your plan despite the setbacks is a valuable skill that’s applicable to many situations. 

Focus on fundamentals:

Marathon training emphasizes focusing on the fundamentals, like consistently running for extended periods, and not getting bogged down in distractions. 

Cultivating connections:

The marathon experience can foster meaningful connections with other runners, supporters, and those who encourage and offer support. 

Resilience in the face of adversity:
The Boston Marathon, especially after the 2013 bombing, serves as a powerful symbol of resilience and the ability to come together in the face of adversity. Having experienced this race before the bombings (2010) and then coming back the year after, I saw how the bombings changed the event and the people. At first, runners seemed hesitant to return and then they were (like me) filled with a passion and a sense of urgency to get back on the course to show that evil would not be allowed to prevail. That’s resilience! 

Importance of planning:
Preparing for a marathon requires careful planning, including selecting the right training plan, equipment, and nutrition. 

Adaptability:

Being prepared for changing conditions, whether it's weather or unexpected challenges, is essential for success. Des Linden is the perfect example of adaptability. Although she came in 17th place this year, in 2018 she won the race in memorable fashion, outlasting the field in a frigid Nor’easter to become the first American woman in 33 years to win the race. She also teaches us a lesson in bowing out of something with grace. Earlier in the day, Linden, 41, announced that this year’s Boston race would be her last marathon as a professional. Ending at Boston was fitting as she started her marathoning career there in 2007. After embracing her husband at the finish line, her teammates (pictured above) congratulated her and deemed her the "queen" of the Boston Marathon. 

The power of community:

The Boston Marathon is a community event, with a large crowd of spectators cheering on the runners, creating a sense of camaraderie and shared experience. 

And there you have it friends. Those are just a few things that a person can learn from the Boston Marathon. But truly, there are lessons to be learned from any marathon (including the half marathon distance). As with life, running will always throw you curve balls and put obstacles in your way. But when you realize what a gift running is, you know that stopping is never an option and you do whatever it takes to make it to the finish line, making yourself more resilient, grateful, and gritty in the process. So get to training so you'll be prepared to step up to the start line of the Bass Pro Marathon (which I personally consider a marathon worthy of being added as an 8th major) or the Cohick Half Marathon in November friends. You'll be so glad you did!!

Happy Running!