"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." - Steve Prefontaine
You know gifting doesn't have to be some supernatural, talent oriented personal thing that everyone wants but only a few have, like singing, painting or writing. A gift may be just as simple as the gift of health. I run into people all the time who say, "That's great I'm glad you're running, I can't." They go on to say things regarding different sicknesses or injuries that prevent them to run. When I hear that I get so sad for them. How awful not be able to run because you do not have the health in order to do so. Now that I've run just a little I have found that it is not just about running. There is a freedom that you get to experience through running but due to the sicknesses and injuries you are unable to be free in that sense.
Now, I began to really think about this. I was thinking those who are able to run need to take that into consideration when they don't push through or blow it off. They need to give it their very best because there are those who can't. Take advantage of the fact you have a the gift of health to run and run!
I was also thinking, know what? I'm a Christian. God has given me the Keys of the Kingdom one of which is to heal those who are sick!! It became a challenge to me. God is a good God, He gives good gifts. I'm a gift giver :-) I have seen many miracles in my day...why not now, why not to those who want to run but can't? I don't want to give less to these people than what God has given to me. That would be selfish.
I think Steve tapped into something beyond running, "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift." I must ask myself...Who already made the sacrifice? Who is the gift? To give anything but the best I have in Christ is withholding the gifts He has for others. My challenge ~ every single time I hear of the various reasons people can't run, I'm going to take time to stop and pray for them to be healed!! Running is liberating and so is Divine health!
Day of Rest ~ Didn't run.
Where is that gorgeous trail on your blog? The one through the trees looks amazing. I'd run there every day. :)
ReplyDeletejust found your blog, you are doing great!
ReplyDeleteLisa - That is a computer picture but I run at Boling Park in Georgia and they have trails behind there that are just if not more beautiful. I've been waiting for the weather to clear because I'm going to go take pictures there...its really awesome, next to the Chattahoochee River.
ReplyDeleteThank you both for you encouragement :-)