In a story titled “NEW YORK MINI 10K RUNNER PAYING IT FORWARD TO INSPIRE NEXT GENERATION” published by ABC 7 NY, it was reported that Denise Peralta, who participated in the 2026 Mastercard New York Mini 10K recently, first found running through the Run for the Future program in 2015 when she was just a teenager, and it changed everything.
Run for the Future not only kicked off her running journey, but it also connected her with an amazing group of women, many of whom she's still friends with 11 years later.
She took a break from running after the program until one of her fellow Run for the Future graduates encouraged her to get involved with the alumni group.
She quickly got hooked and has completed 13+ NYRR races since, including the TCS New York City Marathon.
This summer, she will also be a race buddy for the Run for the Future program. With a full-time job in social services, which can be a stressful industry, running provides relief after a long day.
She quickly got hooked and has completed 13+ NYRR races since, including the TCS New York City Marathon.
This summer, she will also be a race buddy for the Run for the Future program. With a full-time job in social services, which can be a stressful industry, running provides relief after a long day.
And, you know, when it comes to paying it forward, spiritually speaking, the best thing that you and I could ever do, in light of what God has done for us, is to tell the next generation about Him. This is the only way that we can inspire them to seek the Lord.
This is the theme of Psalm 78 which is a historical psalm of instruction written by Asaph. The beauty of this psalm is the way it contrasts God’s unwavering faithfulness and patience with humanity’s recurring cycle of forgetfulness, rebellion, and disobedience. The overarching message urges each generation to teach their children about God’s mighty works so they will trust Him and avoid the mistakes of their ancestors (that’s us).
The psalm opens by commanding parents to pass down God's laws and the history of His miracles so that future children will place their hope in Him rather than turning into a "stubborn and rebellious generation"
Sadly though, many believers treat this command to tell “the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done” as a suggestion rather than a command. But the Bible is clear that we are not to hide these Truths from our children or their children.
Which is the very reason that we, ourselves, must know the Word and live it out in our own lives. After all, children are more apt to follow what we do rather than what we say. Right?
Sadly though, many believers treat this command to tell “the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done” as a suggestion rather than a command. But the Bible is clear that we are not to hide these Truths from our children or their children.
Which is the very reason that we, ourselves, must know the Word and live it out in our own lives. After all, children are more apt to follow what we do rather than what we say. Right?
So, don’t shy away from telling your children, their children, and the next generation about the Lord my friend. Your obedience will help to ensure that the next generation will seek the Lord and continue paying it forward by passing the baton of faith on as each one of us is commanded to do.
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that the task of telling the next generation about You is not merely a suggestion but a command. Lord, in a world that’s growing increasingly hostile to the Word, help us to not hide the Truths laid out in the Bible and to inspire the next generation to seek You both by sharing our testimonies at every opportunity. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen
Happy Running!
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