The Race.

About 7 years ago, I ran my first (and last) half marathon.

And. Let. Me. Tell. You.

Train with all your might. I did not, and it was a BIG mistake. HUGE.

The race started out okay. I have run a number of 5k races in my short lifetime. This was NOTHING like those. I could not even make it three miles before I had to walk. My body was not prepared. My mind was not prepared. But I knew I still had a goal to reach. I knew there would be a light at the end of the long 13.1 mile tunnel. I also had a friend running the race with me, which helped A TON.

It makes a difference having those honoring, trustworthy friends with you through whatever race or journey you run (or in my case – walk).

The thing is, when you say you ran a race of any sort, no one asks you whether you walked or ran – they ask whether you finished. It is not about how fast or how slow you run your race. What matters is that you finish your race.

We all have a race to run.

Whether it is a 5K.

A warrior dash.

A 200M hurdle.

A 100M dash.

A triathalon.

A marathon.

It all changes based on the season and time, but that does not make it any less important.

Each race that we run is vital to our nature.

It is vital to our future.

It is vital to our being.

You can walk. You can run. You can shuffle. You can even crawl – just finish.

Life will continually give us challenges.

It will push us to the brink, but it will not defeat us.

We CAN finish our race.

And make sure you have those friends and family members beside you – whether from a distance or up close. Allow them to help you. Allow them to pray for you. Your race never has to be accomplished alone. We were given friends and family for a reason.

So finish your race – whatever it may be. And thank those that helped you along the way.