No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Phillipians 3:13-14 (NLT)
The Gasparilla 5K is over. Not only did I finish, but I finished in good time and I finished strong as I crossed the finish line to the cheers of staff and volunteers for the JOYFM calling for “TEAM FREEDOM.” It was only by God’s grace and power that I finished as well as I did.
The morning of the race, I was scared and nervous. I was convinced that I did as well as I did in the Jingle Bell Run because my friends ran with me. They spurred me on. This time, I would be running alone.
But, I put on my Team Freedom T-shirt and headed for the race start. As I waited for it to begin, I answered a lot of questions from people around me about Team Freedom and Abolition International. I knew I was right where I needed to be. Though I am an introvert inside, I can be an extrovert when I need to be. I did not hesitate to give the stats that I had learned about human trafficking and the task that Abolition International has assumed in the fight against that ugly terrible sin. As I talked to people, I met a woman who helps to train people for 5Ks. We started talking about my shirt; soon I told her about how difficult my training has been. She prayed with me and gave me some tips. I felt encouraged after we talked. It was not long before the start horn sounded and we were off.
I cannot explain it other than the Holy Spirit filled my feet and lungs, but I started to run and did not stop for five minutes. I weaved in and out of walkers passing them in an effort to find a clear space to run. I even followed some runners up onto a sidewalk and around a mass of walkers blocking the road. I carried a little timer set to tell me when I should run and when I could stop and walk. I had planned to run for one minute and walk for one and a half minutes. But, I ran through the timer even when it signaled I could walk.
I just kept running! Despite the pain in my shin. Despite getting water in my shoe. Despite losing my headband. Despite an electronic malfunction where my arm band holding my I-Phone with my music kept coming loose and my ear plugs fell out and dragged behind me. I ran more than I walked and completed the course in 43 minutes. Those last three minutes I ran like I have not run before sprinting to the finish line with the cheers of Team Freedom spurring me on. It was both the hardest and the easiest thing I have ever done and I will not forget the sound of those cheers or the power that filled me to finish the race.
When it was over, my face was red. I was soaked from sweat and the rain that began as I crossed the finish line. My feet hurt. But, I was not out of breath. I was not exhausted. Only God. Only God can do that. Press On.
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