"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
Dead last is a title most runners never want to receive. The mere mention of it conjures up images of grade school where it was the most certain way to get made fun of. But times have changed and we adults know that the title "dead last" beats "didn't start" any day of the week. "Dead last" requires perseverance and courage while "didn't start" didn't even bother to lace up it's shoes. Beth Salinger, race director for the Hospital Hill Run, understands something about that.
After gastric bypass surgery and losing 100 pounds, she participated in a triathlon (May, 2001) where she finished dead last. At the finish line, she was met with a crowd of people cheering for her which provided the inspiration to form the "Tunnel of Love" at the end of the Hospital Hill race. "I felt like a total rock star... I want the last person to get that same superhero finish," she said. Not one sign or banner can be taken down until the last person crosses the finish line. She told the story of one year where the final finisher was a gal who, at 300 pounds, started by walking the 5k the first year, the 10k the following year followed by the half the next. Talk about someone deserving of a superhero finish! Beth certainly paid the love forward in making this runner feel like the star she is.
The bible tells us that the comfort that we have received from God, who comforts us in all our troubles, is the same comfort we can give to others in need. Oh praise be to God, the Father of Compassion for being the greatest example of love. May we too use our experiences to pay the love forward and love like Jesus.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the troubles that life brings us that serve as stepping stones to making us stronger. Thank you for the love, comfort and strength you show us during the difficult times that we might learn how to comfort others experiencing the same things we have. May we always look for ways to turn trials into testimonies and may you give us the courage to persevere against the odds. Praise you Lord for Dead last finishers. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org
Love like Jesus - Rhett Walker Band
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