I struggled to keep up with the rest of the runners. Why did I enter this race? I’ll never make it. I’m no good at this running stuff. I slowed my pace, about convinced to quit when a voice speaks from behind. A small, gentle voice. But strong.
“Don’t give up now. You’re almost there. Just a mile left.” A petite runner came up behind me. She had to have been at least 20 years older than me.
How does she do this? “I can’t see the finish line.” I wanted to believe the end was that close, but I labored to breathe and just wanted to stop. A vanilla frappe sounded heavenly right now.
“It’s there, around that curve ahead. Here.” She handed me a water bottle. “Picked up an extra at the last station.” She flashed me an encouraging smile. “So what brings you out to run today?”
I stole a look at my newest running companion. “A dare.”
She nods her head. “My first run was a dare. Been hooked ever since.”
I laughed between gasping for air. “I doubt I’ll ever want to run again.”
She smiled like she knew some secret I didn’t. “When you’re not running, what do you do?”
“Mom.” Talking was getting harder. We rounded the curve to face a hill I did not want to run up.
She must have recognized the look in my face because she stopped asking questions. Instead, she spoke gentle words of encouragement every few minutes. She reminded me over and over that I could do it.
After we crossed the finish line – and not in last place I must add – I looked around for my friend who helped me to accomplish what I thought was impossible. I finally spotted her and caught her eye. I mouthed thank you and waved. She grinned and waved back as she headed away from the crowds.
In a flash, my family bombarded me with hugs and kisses.
My teenage daughter wrapped her arms around me and whispered in my ear. “That was awesome, Mom. Can I run with you next time?”
I almost groaned, but saw the look of hope on her face and quickly recanted my dread. “Sure. I think that would be a great thing for us to do together.”
~ ~ ~
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. Galatians 6: 2-5
The person sitting next to us in the pew is likely struggling with something. A friend may have an addiction. It is their responsibility to choose and make right decisions, but often they need encouragement to keep going. To do the hard stuff. To not quit. To do life God’s way.
There have been plenty of times I have longed for someone to come alongside me and walk with me and encourage me. And I doubt I am alone.
Words of encouragement go a long way to helping people stay in the game! Click to Tweet
The next time you come across someone struggling, take a moment and lighten their burden with words of encouragement, a prayer and maybe even a helping hand.
To put it another way, here is one of my favorite scenes. Ever!
