Russell Media - Laurie

Have you ever run in a road race and the finish line is just up ahead? Doesn’t it seem like an eternity away?

Boise hosts a handful of road races for kids. Our kids love these events and make sure we sign them up every year. Their favorite is a 1-mile race held near the end of school. There are over 1,000 kids that participate in this spirited event.

Last year Mark and I placed ourselves a few hundred yards before the finish line. Usually the race runs one gender at a time and divides the kids into age groups – with the older kids going first in order to prevent overly ambitious14-year-olds from running over an absent-minded 6-year-old.

It was near the end of the boys run and Mark had taken off to find our son Noah who had already crossed the finish. I remained in our spot, awaiting the start of the girls. As I looked down the road I saw a little boy who had yet to finish. He was now walking. His face was red and his eyes were full of tears. He was coming in last place.

His father saw him and quickly ran out to the street to join him and finish the race with him. He encouraged his son; trying to get him to run again but the little boy wanted none of it. He squealed at his dad – he was embarrassed and didn’t want to run.

All the other parents on the sideline saw what was going on. As the boy approached us, the mom next to me began cheering, “Keep going! You’re about to finish 1 mile!”

The rest of us joined in with her and the cheering the began to spread down the line. The little boy looked to the crowd, realizing that we were all cheering for him. The defeated look on his face turned into determination and he sprinted to the finished and ended his race strong.

It’s amazing how our outlook can change when we have the encouragement of others. Our mountains become mole hills and what once seemed impossible becomes possible.

We are all going to have times when the finish line is like a mirage in the desert and want to give up. But – if we surround ourselves with  positive people who will sincerely cheer us on to finish the race that God has set before us – we’ll finished determined, not defeated.

There is a time to run and there is a time to cheer. It’s tempting to hog the spotlight but we need to be sure that we’re also spectators for others as they accomplish their goals. I’m not speaking of flattery but authentic words of encouragement.

The road can be rough and we’re not meant to go it alone.

Cheers my friends!

Has there been a time when the encouraging words of others helped you through a rough patch?

Have you ever had the opportunity do something big, something special you always dreamed about? The moment arrives and you freeze up. Your heart races, your breath quickens and you limbs feel weak. What you were once excited about becomes dread and you ask yourself why you thought you could do it in the first place.

When our daughter, Anastasia, was four-years-old, she begged to take a dance class. She had been dancing around our house since the time she could walk. She had spent numerous hours watching big bro in all of his activities and it was “her time” to enter the ring.

The day of her first class, she put on her leotard four hours early and had me fix her hair in two little buns. She danced around the house proclaiming, “I just can’t wait!”

Later, when we pulled up into the parking lot of the studio and her excitement began to dwindle. Nervously, she played with her fingers. The thrill that was once in her voice turned into shy whispers.

We waited in the hallway for the teacher and she clung to my leg. Finally the door opened and out popped a perky college student. She invited the little girls into the classroom. Immediately Anastasia turned to me and wrapped her arms tightly around my neck, “I’m scared. I can’t go mommy!”

I understood her fear. The unknown hiding behind the big door was intimidating. Her dreams of being a ballerina were now overshadowed by doubt and fear. But…it was her time, she was ready for – she just didn’t know it.

I pulled her little face up to see mine, “I know you can do this sweetie. You’re strong and brave. This is your chance to try a real dance class.”

To my amazement it worked! She smiled, turned around and walked bravely into the class. All she needed was affirmation on her ability.

God knows we’re scared when He calls us out of our comfort zone and offers us encouragement to take that step.

After Moses died, God commissioned Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Repeatedly He told him to be “strong and courageous”, not to be terrified or discouraged. By stepping out and overcoming these valid emotions, Joshua had the honor of seeing God work through him.

Fear can paralyze us but genuine praise enables us.

So the next time you find yourself nervously waiting in the hallway for your turn, pray like crazy and listen for the affirming words of God and others.

And never be stingy with genuine affirming words. It’s amazing the power they deliver.