"Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world." James 1:27 CSB
If you're like a small minority of Americans, you’ll be watching the Olympic marathon trials taking place this weekend in Atlanta where nearly 700 runners will be competing for a place on the team. Kellyn Taylor, 33, who is said to be a top-contender for one of those spots, will be one of those runners. But Taylor is a runner to be admired for more than just her speed. You see, over the last year she and her husband, Bruce, have opened up their home to seven foster children (including a toddler and a new-born), something her coach, Ben Rosario, says he finds hard to comprehend due to Kellyn's grueling and time-consuming training schedule and need for sleep. “Some of the decisions she’s made over the years, in regards to her decision to begin fostering, I find it very difficult to understand... It’s frustrating as a coach at times to have someone with her level of talent and ability that chooses to make life harder on herself outside of running,” he continued. Most runners, he points out, are looking for ways to make life easier on themselves outside of running.
And you know, while it may be hard for Kellyn's coach and others to understand why she and her husband would commit to being foster parents at a time when the world says they should be concentrating solely on Kellyn's success, her husband said, “Kellyn has always had the mindset that there’s way more to life than running." And it's this "unstained" mindset that puts others first rather than self that allows them both to see that looking "after orphans... in their time of distress" is way more important, lasting, and life-changing than anything Kellyn could ever accomplish or win.
So in our pursuit of success, let us remember that the things we acquire or accomplish for ourselves today--the medals, a few moments of fame, or our name in a record book--will soon fade away and be forgotten. But those things we have done for the Lord like caring for "orphans and widows" will last for eternity.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that this world will never support or understand our decision to put Your will above our own. Knowing that Lord, give us the wisdom to recognize our calling and the strength to carry it out. In all these things, let us lead others to the foot of the Cross as they see our love for You displayed through our love for others. May we live our lives all for you. It's in your precious Name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
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