The Benefits of Joining a Group

“Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NKJV

In a story titled “Campaign targets women's fears over night-time running,” the writer said “Running groups are hoping a campaign to make running safer for women after dark can change attitudes.”

Let's Lift the Curfew, which was set up by Sport England, is timed to coincide with the clocks going back. It said its own research suggests 55% of women feel unsafe exercising outdoors alone after dark…

Sarah Knight, a run leader with the Pontesbury Runners, said: "It is difficult because you don't necessarily feel safe on your own running in the dark."

Let's Lift the Curfew encourages women to get involved in organised runs or walks this week to raise awareness of the issues facing women…

Knight said her advice to women was to join a running group and that it was important to keep running during the winter for mental health and wellbeing.

"Joining a running club and having the friendships, the company and people to run with, it's a great thing to do."

And, you know, in the same way being a part of a running group lends to the physical safety of each individual in the group and benefits their mental health and wellbeing, joining a group of believers has the very same benefits but many many more.

You see, as Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 powerfully demonstrates, there is deep spiritual security and operational success in joining a community of believers, something that mirrors the practical necessity and benefits of running in a group.

Think about it… Just as a single runner is highly vulnerable to the physical dangers of navigating a path alone (especially in the dark), an isolated believer faces immense risk on their spiritual journey. Hence the reason Solomon (the wisest man to have ever lived) noted that "two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.” This nugget of wisdom highlights that both running partners and faith communities achieve far greater progress and efficiency through shared effort than anyone could ever accomplish solo. 

The critical element of safety is magnified in the next verse which warns of the misery of falling with no one around to help; in a faith community, just like in a running group, having companions ensures that if you stumble into temptation, injury, doubt, or exhaustion, someone is immediately there to lift you up, offer accountability, and pull you out of danger. 

Furthermore, Solomon observed that the mutual warmth needed to survive a freezing night in the desert (the backdrop of Solomon’s words), illustrated how the collective fire of authentic Christian fellowship keeps our zeal alive when our personal passion begins to flicker under the chilling trials of life. 

Ultimately, verse 12 anchors this bond by showing that while a lone individual is easily overpowered, a unified front of believers can withstand any threat, especially when woven together into a resilient threefold cord centered around God.

So as you can see, joining a local body of believers is a great thing to do. This group of brothers and sisters will not only help illuminate the spiritual path before you, but will provide you with the collective strength, mutual warmth, and spiritual protection necessary to finish the race strong and arrive safely at your final destination.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we weren’t meant to run the Christian race of life solo. Help us to clearly understand this Lord that we not neglect forming groups of fellow believers to help us in our journey to the finish line and to give us opportunities to help them as well. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Stay in the Race, Don't Quit, and Stay Hydrated

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1–2 NKJV

In a story published after Sunday's 51st Marine Corps Marathon yesterday, the writer said, "The Marines staged another of their well-organized marathons as they have since 1975. Nearly 30,000 runners lined up for the starting pistol as Marine Corps Commandant Eric M. Smith fired the starting pistol."

The writer went on to report that the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Carlos Ruiz, gave the marathoners a pre-race pep talk, urging them to "stay in the race, don't quit, and stay hydrated."

And, you know, as both a runner and a running coach, I can tell you that those three simple instructions are exactly what it takes to finish a 26.2 mile race. Stay on the course, refuse to give up when things get hard, and continually replenish your body with the fluids it needs to keep going.

And you know what? Those same three instructions are exactly what it takes for us to finish the spiritual race God has called each of us to run.

Stay in the race. Hebrews 12:1 tells us to run with endurance the race God has set before us. Notice that Scripture doesn't tell us to run someone else's race or change course when ours becomes difficult. We're called to faithfully follow the path God has laid out for us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus the entire time. And just as runners must stay on the marked course to reach the finish line, we must stay on the path God has given us through His Word, refusing to let the distractions and temptations of this world lead us astray.

Don't quit. Galatians 6:9 reminds us, "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Every marathoner knows there will be moments when quitting seems easier than continuing. And the same is true in life. In fact, Jesus warned us in John 16:33, "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Notice that Jesus didn't say we might have trouble. He said we will. It's not a matter of if difficulties will come then, but when. And just as runners prepare their bodies and minds for the challenges they'll face during a marathon, we must prepare ourselves spiritually for the trials we know will come. 

Stay hydrated. Just as a runner needs water to keep going (it’s a non-negotiable), we need Jesus to sustain us through the race of life (also a non-negotiable). In John 4:14, Jesus said, "But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst." But here's the thing. We can get so busy with life that we neglect spending time with the very One who gives us life. We wouldn't expect to finish a marathon without stopping at the water stations along the way, so why would we expect to make it through life's challenges without stopping to spend time with Jesus? 

Through daily prayer, reading His Word, and seeking His presence, we draw closer to Him and find the peace, wisdom, and strength we need to keep going. And while the living water Jesus gives us satisfies our deepest spiritual thirst forever, we must make the choice each day to draw near to Him. Because the closer we walk with Jesus, the better equipped we'll be to finish the race He's set before us.

And here's the thing. None of these instructions are complicated. But they do require discipline, commitment, and consistency.

But the best part is this.. We don't have to run this race by ourselves. Jesus is not only the One who shows us the way, but He's also the One who gives us the strength to finish.  Amazing, right? 

So whatever mile of life you're in today, whether you're feeling strong or struggling to put one foot in front of the other, remember these three simple instructions my friend… Stay in the race. Don't quit. Stay spiritually hydrated. And above all, keep your eyes on Jesus. This is the only way to be sure that you’ll make it to the end. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us everything we need to finish our spiritual race of life. Lord, help us to remember that it all comes down to trusting You to meet all our needs so that we can continue running without slowing down to worry whether we will have the ample physical and spiritual strength to do it. Help us to run with all our might, to do good to others along the way, and to take in the Word constantly knowing that it's the only thing that can nourish our souls, so that we can finish the race, keep the faith, and bring You glory. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Be Ready to Stand Alone

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13 NKJV

In a story published by Outkick yesterday, it was reported that a courageous high school cross-country runner named Elise Bierer made the difficult decision to walk away from the starting line of a district championship race rather than compete against a male athlete competing in the girls’ division.

There was no group to stand with her in solidarity. No teammate to lean on.

We've seen other girls cross country runners in Washington state walk off the start line in protest of having to compete against a boy, but Elise Bierer was the first to do it all by herself.

It happened Wednesday during the Greater St. Helens League District Meet, where a runner for Camas High was competing as a girl after starting the year racing against the boys. And when the gun went off for the women's varsity race, Bierer walked off the line toward her mother, Sheona, who embraced her tearful daughter.

While her decision meant ending her season, what stood out to me most was something the writer said about the preparation behind it.

“But as her mom explained, Bierer had been anticipating a moment like this for a couple of years, and was prepared to stand — or more precisely, walk — on principle.”

Did you catch that? She was prepared to stand!

Bierer hadn’t waited until she was standing at the starting line to decide what she believed or how she would respond. She had already considered what she would do if that moment came. And when it did, she was ready to stand 

And there’s a powerful lesson here for us as Christians.

In Ephesians 6:13, Paul tells believers to put on the whole armor of God so that when (not if) the day of evil comes, we will be able to stand firm. Notice that he doesn’t tell us to wait until the battle begins to start getting ready? He tells us to prepare beforehand.

Think about it. As runners, we would never expect to show up at the starting line of a marathon without training and expect to run well. We spend months preparing our bodies and our minds for the challenges we know are coming. And when those challenges come, we rely on the strength, endurance, and discipline we developed during training.

Our spiritual lives are no different.

You see, we can’t expect to stand firm in our faith when we’re suddenly faced with temptation, opposition, fear, or pressure to compromise if we haven’t been preparing ourselves through daily Bible reading, prayer, and obedience to God’s Word.

That’s why putting on the armor of God must be a daily practice. We need to know God’s truth before we’re confronted with lies. We need to develop our faith before it’s tested. And we need to determine that we will obey God before obedience becomes uncomfortable or costly.

Because let me tell you what…. The middle of a battle is not the time to figure out what you believe.

So, here’s my challenge to you today my friend. Don’t wait until your faith is tested to decide whether you will stand firm. Spend time in God’s Word. Pray. Examine your heart. And make the daily choices that will strengthen your relationship with Jesus. 

Because the time to prepare for the battle is before the battle comes. The time to prepare is now. So that when that day arrives, we may be found fully equipped, firmly planted in God’s truth, and ready to stand, even if it means we stand alone. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us everything we need to stand firm on the truths laid out in the Bible. Give us the strength to stand against the lies of this world Lord that we might not compromise on the Truth, no matter what it costs us. Help us to remember that, at the end of the day, we are seeking the approval of God and not of men that we might not be concerned with the consequences of standing up for what’s right. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Break Forth in Joy

“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.” Psalm 98:4 NKJV

Early yesterday, after reading Psalm 98 during my daily Bible study, I headed out for my morning run with the words of this beautiful song of praise still on my mind.

As I ran, I found myself meditating, once again, on the goodness of God. His mercy. His faithfulness. His grace. And the incredible gift of salvation that we have through Jesus Christ.

My time spent in the Word was such a beautiful reminder that there's always a reason to rejoice! You see, the psalmist calls us to sing a new song to the Lord because of the marvelous things He has done. He reminds us that God has made His salvation known, revealed His righteousness, and remained faithful to His promises. And because of that, we are called to praise Him!

Not quietly. Not reluctantly. But joyfully!

In fact, verse four tells us to “break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.” 

And that's exactly what I found myself doing as I listened to CeCe Winans Holy Forever. It's a song that I listen to nearly every day and yet each time I listen to it, the realization that God is gooder than He was the day before always makes me delight myself in Him, and causes my heart to overflow with joy. 

“If you've been forgiven and if you've been redeemed

Sing the song forever to the Lamb
If you walk in freedom and if you bear His name
Sing the song forever to the Lamb
Sing the song forever and amen
And all the angels cry, holy
All creation cries, holy

You are lifted high, holy
Holy forever
Hear your people sing, holy
To the King of kings, holy
And You will always be, holy
Holy forever”

As I ran past a few houses, the words of the song reminded me, once again, of the forgiveness, redemption, and freedom we have through Jesus Christ. And I couldn't help but sing along! And apparently I wasn't singing quietly!

I was singing so loudly and joyfully, in fact, that when I glanced over, I noticed an older woman standing in her yard looking up to see what all the commotion was.

I simply smiled and kept running. And kept singing!

Because at that moment, I wasn't concerned about what anyone thought of me. I was too busy thinking about what Jesus had done for me!

And that got me thinking.

How often do we hold back our praise because we're worried about what other people might think?

The phrase “break forth” in Psalm 98:4 paints a picture of joy that simply cannot be contained. It's an expression of praise that comes from a heart so overwhelmed by God's goodness that it naturally spills out.

And shouldn't that be the way we live?

Think about it. We serve a God who loved us enough to send His only Son to die for our sins. A God who offers forgiveness we could never earn, grace we don't deserve, and the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

If that isn't something worth singing about, I don't know what is!

And the beautiful thing about Psalm 98 is that the call to worship doesn't stop with us. The psalmist describes the seas roaring, the rivers clapping their hands, and the hills rejoicing together before the Lord. All creation is pictured celebrating the King who reigns in righteousness and who will one day judge the earth with perfect fairness.

What a beautiful reminder that our joy isn't based on our circumstances but on who God is and what He has done.

You see, we don't have to wait until everything in our lives is going right to praise Him. We can rejoice in the middle of our struggles because His goodness doesn't change. His promises don't change. And His love for us doesn't change.

And when we truly understand that, our praise becomes more than something we do on Sunday mornings. It becomes a natural response to the God we love and serve.

Does that mean we have to run down the street singing at the top of our lungs? Of course not! But it does mean that we shouldn't allow fear, embarrassment, or the opinions of others to keep us from expressing our love for Jesus.

After all, if we can get excited about a football game, a race finish, or any number of temporary things, how much more should we celebrate the eternal victory we have through Christ?

So today, I want to encourage you to spend some time thinking about the goodness of God. Think about where He's brought you from, what He's brought you through, and the promises He's made about where you're going.

And then praise Him!

Sing in your car. Worship on your walk. Thank Him throughout your day. And don't be afraid to let others see the joy you have in Jesus.

Because when we truly grasp how much we've been forgiven and how deeply we've been loved, we have every reason to break forth in joy!

And who knows? Someone might just look up to see what all the commotion is about. And that might be the very opportunity God gives us to point them to Jesus.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us so many reasons to praise You. Lord, cause us to remember that Your mercies are new every morning that we might see that Your goodness is never-changing and becomes more apparent the more we seek You. Help us to understand what a great gift of salvation has been given to us that we might break forth in joy and song in response. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 
Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - How to Handle Those Pre-Race Jitters

Hello Runner Friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about race day. Can you believe that it's almost here? Think about it. We are less than two weeks away from the Bass Pro Fitness Series Marathon Weekend! Which means, whether you're preparing for the Bass Pro Marathon, the Cohick Half Marathon, or another race that weekend, all those weeks and months of training are about to pay off!

And if you're starting to feel a little nervous, you're certainly not alone! It

As both a runner and a running coach, I can tell you that pre-race jitters are completely normal. In fact, even experienced runners who have completed dozens of races can experience them. In fact, I still get them from time to time. 

So what exactly are pre-race jitters?

Pre-race jitters are the feelings of nervousness, excitement, anxiety, or uncertainty that runners experience in the days and weeks leading up to a race. They can show up as butterflies in your stomach, trouble sleeping, restlessness, or even second-guessing your training.

You might find yourself wondering, Did I train enough? What if I can't finish? What if I don't hit my goal pace? What if something goes wrong?

Sound familiar?

As a runner, I've experienced those same thoughts. And as a coach, I've heard them from countless runners, especially those preparing for their first half or full marathon.

Here's what I want you to know: Being nervous doesn't mean you're not ready. It simply means you're about to do something that matters to you!

The good news is that there are several things you can do over the next few days to calm those nerves and arrive at the starting line feeling confident and prepared.

1. Trust Your Training

The hard work is behind you! You've put in the miles, gotten up early, pushed through tough workouts, and made sacrifices to get here. Now is the time to trust the work you've done.

Resist the temptation to squeeze in extra miles or one last hard workout because you're worried you haven't done enough. You won't gain meaningful fitness in these final days, but you can certainly wear yourself out!

2. Stick to Your Routine

Now is not the time to try new shoes, new foods, or a new training strategy. Stick with what has worked for you throughout your training. Familiar routines help reduce uncertainty and give you one less thing to worry about.

3. Prioritize Rest and Recovery

Your body needs time to recover from all those training miles. Follow your taper plan, prioritize sleep, eat nutritious meals, and stay hydrated. Remember, rest is part of training, too! You want to arrive at the starting line rested, not exhausted.

4. Have a Race Day Plan

One of the best ways to reduce anxiety is to eliminate as many unknowns as possible. Familiarize yourself with the course, parking, packet pickup, starting times, and aid stations. Lay out your race gear ahead of time and have your nutrition and hydration plan ready.

The more prepared you are, the less you'll have to think about on race morning.

5. Focus on What You Can Control

You can't control the weather, every hill, or how your body will feel at mile 10, 20, or 26. But you can control your preparation, your attitude, your pacing, and how you respond when things get tough.

Rather than worrying about everything that could go wrong, focus on doing the things that will help you succeed.

6. Remember Why You Started

When those nervous thoughts start creeping in, remind yourself why you signed up in the first place. Maybe you're running to accomplish a lifelong goal, improve your health, honor someone special, or prove to yourself that you can do hard things.

Whatever your reason, don't let the pressure of race day steal the joy of the journey that brought you here.

7. Turn Nervous Energy Into Excitement

Believe it or not, nervousness and excitement can feel very similar physically. Both can cause your heart to race and your stomach to flutter. Instead of telling yourself, I'm so nervous, try saying, I'm so excited!

That simple shift in perspective can help you see those butterflies as anticipation rather than fear. This is an important mental shift. 

And here's one final thought from a runner and a coach... 

Don't let your fear of what might happen overshadow everything you've already accomplished.

Whether this is your first race or your fiftieth, remember that getting to the starting line is an accomplishment in itself. 
You've done the work. You've put in the miles. And now it's almost time to celebrate!
So take a deep breath, trust your training, and enjoy these final days leading up to race weekend.

And when you find yourself standing at that starting line with your heart racing and butterflies in your stomach, look around. You'll be surrounded by people who are probably feeling the exact same way! For real!

And there you have it friends. Those butterflies don't mean you can't do it. They just mean you're ready to spread your wings and see what you can do! So, do what you need to do to calm those pre-race jitters so you'll be ready to step up to the start line soon. Marathon Weekend is going to be amazing! 
Happy Running!

You're Not Alone

"Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him." — 1 Kings 19:18 NKJV

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my many years of following the Lord, it’s that He will go to great lengths to put believers in the right place at the right time to be a part of His awesome plan, whether for our good, for the good of someone else, or both. And that is exactly the place I found myself in on Saturday.

I had signed up for the hundred mile race at Pumpkin Holler in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, but it soon became apparent that, although this was my plan, this was not God's plan for the day. After a series of events led me to drop down to the 50k distance and run the opposite direction of the finish line to meet up with my husband who was also out on the course (and had started later due to the different start times for the different distances), I began to get excited. “Lord, I know there’s a reason for all this. And I trust You.”

And this is where it gets good…. Not only did I find my husband but I found that my dear friend, Lacey (pictured above with my sweet Larry and me), was walking with him. As God would have it, a lingering stomach bug had caused her to become sick to the point that she debated on dropping out completely, until she saw my husband (who was having some hip pain) and the two linked up, appreciating the unexpected and much needed encouragement of one another. To say I was thrilled when I saw them both would be an understatement!

As Lacey and I walked and talked, I soon began to understand why God had intersected our paths in such a way that it could only be attributed to His hand. We began to discuss how our relationship with running had drastically changed over the years as we had broken free from our cycles of abuse and no longer needed the coping mechanism that had bordered on the edge of obsession.

She explained how hard-core she was when we met more than a decade ago, running to keep her sanity and escape from a home life that was nearly identical to mine. We laughed at how alike we were years ago! So much so that I found myself saying over and over again, “I felt like I was the only one!” And she said the same. And let me tell you, we both came away from that run with a renewed outlook on the changes we were going through, and a newfound peace with what had become our new “normal.”

But that’s the power of understanding that you’re not alone. Which begs the question… Have you ever felt like you were the only one struggling?

Maybe that you were or are the only one dealing with a difficult marriage? The only one grieving the loss of someone you love? The only one battling depression, anxiety, financial problems, or a situation that seems completely hopeless?

And have you ever looked around at everyone else and thought, "Why does everyone seem to have it all together except me?" If so, you're not alone. In fact, one of the greatest prophets in the Bible felt the very same way.

In 1 Kings 19, we find Elijah running for his life after Queen Jezebel threatened to kill him. What's interesting is that this happened immediately after one of the greatest victories of his ministry. In 1 Kings 18, God had demonstrated His power by sending fire from heaven in response to Elijah's prayer. Yet, just one chapter later, Elijah was afraid, exhausted, discouraged, and ready to give up.

In fact, he was so overwhelmed that he asked God to take his life. Elijah eventually found himself in a cave, where God asked him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" (1 Kings 19:9 NKJV).

Elijah responded by explaining how faithfully he had served God, how the Israelites had rejected God's covenant, and how the prophets had been killed. Then he said something that revealed just how isolated he felt.

"I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." — 1 Kings 19:10 NKJV

But here's the thing. Elijah wasn't alone. He just thought he was. God revealed that there were still seven thousand people in Israel who had not bowed down to Baal. Seven thousand people who remained faithful to Him!

Can you imagine Elijah's surprise? While he was hiding in a cave, believing he was the only one left standing for God, there were thousands of others who were faithfully serving the same Lord.

And isn't that just like us sometimes?

We get so focused on our own problems that we begin to believe nobody else could possibly understand what we're going through, much less be going through it themselves. We see other people's “happy” marriages, smiling families, successful careers, and seemingly perfect lives and assume that we're the only ones struggling.

But what we don't see are the tears shed behind closed doors, the prayers whispered in the middle of the night, the marriages being held together by faith, and the people who are fighting battles nobody knows about.

The truth is, we are never as alone in our struggles as we sometimes feel. And that's exactly why it's so important that we share not only our victories but also our struggles with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Galatians 6:2 tells us, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (NKJV).

But how can we bear one another's burdens if we don't know what those burdens are?

When we pretend that everything is fine, we may unintentionally cause someone else to believe they're the only one struggling. But when we're willing to be vulnerable and share how God has carried us through difficult seasons, we give others hope that He can carry them through theirs as well.

Think about that for a moment. Your testimony of surviving an abusive marriage, overcoming an addiction, walking through grief, or finding peace in the middle of uncertainty might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today. Not because you had the strength to overcome it on your own, but because God was faithful when you didn't have the strength to keep going.

So if you're going through something difficult today, remember Elijah my friend. Remember that even a mighty prophet of God experienced fear, exhaustion, and discouragement. And remember that although Elijah thought he was alone, God had already preserved seven thousand others.

You may not see them, but there are people around you who understand your pain because they've walked a similar road. And there are people who need to hear your story because they're walking that road right now. Don't let your struggles convince you that you're alone, and don't let your victories remain untold.

Share your burdens. Share your testimony. Encourage one another. And above all, point people to the God who carried you through.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we are never alone in our struggles. God, please cause us to understand that the enemy wants us to think we were alone so that we question Your love for us. Help us to also understand that You were always with us, that Your faithfulness would cause us to be bold in sharing our stories so that others could also experience Your great love and faithfulness. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

We Don't Have to Earn God's Love

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 NKJV

Like a large number of runners who routinely tackle long distances, I began running marathons (26.2 miles) and ultramarathons (distances over 26.2 miles) to deal with pain, emotional abuse, and feelings of helplessness.

And while running can be a wonderful outlet for psychological pain, I'll be the first to tell you that the relief it gives is only temporary. Hence the reason I sought it again and again and again, in the same way an addict tenaciously seeks a substance again and again to remove their pain, going back for more each time the ache returns.

Over the course of nearly twenty years, the physical suffering of running taught me how to put my mental and emotional pain in a box. And it taught me how to press on when every fiber of my being wanted to give up on life. In other words, pain made me a good runner.

The irony is that I had become exceptionally good at enduring the pain of ultrarunning because I had spent much of my life learning how to endure emotional pain, first from my father and then my ex-husband.

In fact, the emotional abuse and trauma that I was going through became such a powerful motivator, that I used it to propel me to complete more than 100 marathons and ultramarathons, including 12 one hundred mile races. Every footstep provided relief and every finish line crossed brought temporary accolades from the people who caused the pain, which reinforced the behavior. Strange how that works, isn't it?

Running had been my escape for so long, in fact, that I found it strange when, after finding the strength to break free and move on many years ago, my relationship with running began to slowly change. This was something that became very apparent on Saturday.

While attempting to complete my thirteenth one-hundred mile race, I began to cry about 14 miles in. "Lord, I don't have any pain, bitterness, unforgiveness or resentment anymore to drive me. And I know now, with all my heart, that I don't have to earn your love or that of my husband."

This epiphany that had been coming for a long time caused me to call my husband of four years (who is a gift from God and the sweetest, kindest, and most godly man I have ever met) who was out on the course running the 50k distance to say, "Honey, I feel led to drop down to the 100k. I just don't have it in me anymore." To which he replied, "Okay, honey. I love you. Pray over it and let me know what you decide."

And then it hit me... why even bother with the 100k? Why not just run back to my husband (who was several miles behind me due to a later start time) and run with him to his finish line? Which is exactly what I did! By the time we met up, he had 17 miles to go which meant we had several hours of precious time together out on the trails to celebrate his birthday.

And while I didn't get a medal, I got something much better. I got to walk with my husband (aka sweet Larry) across the finish line. And he said it was the best birthday he had ever had. Does that make you smile or what?

And, you know, while it might have taken me years to find "the one" whose love I never had to earn, this experience reminded me how blessed I am to truly understand that I don't have to earn God's love either. None of us do.

Sadly, though, many people think otherwise. Especially if they had an earthly father or spouse whose love was conditional and based on their performance and/or obedience. But this is the deal. "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Do you get that? "God demonstrates His own love toward us" as we are. There's nothing we could do to earn this love and nothing we could do for Him to withhold this love. It's unconditional!

Think about it. God’s love is completely independent of human performance, meaning we never have to earn His approval or fear losing His affection based on our failures or accomplishments. This means our worth isn't determined by how much we can endure, how far we can run, or how many medals we bring home. And while the world may make us feel that love and acceptance must be earned, God's love is different.

Think about that. God loved us before we ever did anything to deserve His love. We didn't have to prove ourselves, accomplish something extraordinary, or suffer enough to become worthy of it. Jesus went to the cross for us while we were still sinners. His love wasn't a reward for our performance. It was a gift of His grace.

So remember, running can be a wonderful outlet for emotional pain my friend, but it can't heal every wound or fill the void left by years of rejection and abuse. But Jesus can. I’m living proof of that. And that healing and filling of the void starts with truly understanding that you don't have to earn God's love. Pretty amazing, right?

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us when we didn't love You. There could be no greater example of unconditional love than the one Jesus showed when He willingly laid down His life for us. Help us to truly understand this Lord, that we might not relentlessly strive to win Your love but to seek Your approval by giving our lives back to You in response. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!