Success happens where opportunity meets preparedness!

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

In what areas of your life, do you need more preparation and training to finish life strong?
Who can you seek help from to coach you in those areas?

We can learn a lot about life from sports – about the importance of preparation, diligence, team work, coaching, etc. No matter how you pray, if you haven’t prepared adequately, you’re unlikely to finish well, at least as the competition gets tougher.

The Boy Scout motto is “Be prepared!” That’s so important in all areas of our lives – including spiritual. Taking care of ourselves, daily disciplines, and maintaining balance in our lives is critical to finish life well.

For much of my life, I loved to run and was a good runner. In 9th grade during the 1972-73 school year, I set the school records for the mile and two mile runs at my middle school in Frankfurt Germany. After my family moved from Germany to Charlottesville Virginia in 1973, I completed my last two years of high school at Albemarle High School. There I ran cross country in the Fall and track in the Spring seasons.

When I came out to train with the Albemarle HS cross country team in late summer of 1973, I got a quick lesson in humility. The first day was extremely hot and the team went to train on steep hills. I had not trained properly during the summer, whereas most of the other runners had. So very quickly, I lost the attitude of a winner. For most of that first cross country season, I was the 7th place runner on my team and only the top five counted in the scoring in the team score in meets.

Part of my challenge was that we had an extremely good team. My brother, who ran fourth on the team, ran the two mile in 9:50 during the Spring track season in 1974. Our sixth place cross country runner ran the two mile in 9:50 a year later.

On September 19, 2007, I went to Culpeper High School to watch Tim and Jennifer Smith compete in a cross country meet with at least four different teams. The day was gorgeous and nearby the girls were playing in a field hockey game and football players were practicing. Tim finished 5th overall out of 70-80 runners. While Jennifer was further back, I was still proud of how she ran.

Tim worked for me full-time this past summer. Tim and Jennifer are two of the most responsible and moral teenagers I have ever known. Their good habits and discipline will pay great dividends over their lifetimes.

Check out today’s Link of the Day to see photos from the cross country meet on Sep 19.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for the ways You work in our lives to draw us near to You and make us more Christ-like. Help me to maintain a healthy balance in all areas of my life and may I be adequately prepared to finish the race strong with my family. Bless my readers to do likewise. Thank You Jesus. You’re the best role model we could ever hope for. Amen.

Link of the Day
Photos From Cross Country Race on Sep 19, 2007 [www.yourdailyblessing.com/content.cfm?id=2435]

Blessings to run the race and finish strong!