Champions Aren't Always Holding Trophies
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
The rhythmic cadence of slim-legged runners with eyes on the braids of the next girl to pass were long gone. Heavy-breathing, eyes-to-the-ground girls were trickling past with longer intervals as I stood there, craning my neck to cheer on the girl I came to watch, my daughter.
She hasn't always been near the tail end of runners. In fact, two seasons ago, she was the uncontested first runner on her team with individual times that qualified her for advancement in the state tournament. But that's been a while ago now and the front runners seem a million miles ahead.
Running was easy and fun for her then. The attention wasn't bad either. But when her times began to backslide, so did her confidence.
Thanks to summer camp chants like "Glory Goes to God" and a motto of "I'm Third" my daughter understood that winning isn't the only end goal in athletics. She hung on the phrases of her camp coaches who delivered competition talks about character and blessing and cheering for the winning team, even when it isn't yours. When she didn't run at the front of the pack on her team, she was sure to lead otherwise, in encouraging and prompting the team to prayer and a focus on Scripture.
Running on a team has never been more difficult for her than it is now, yet she continues to put one foot in front of the other. And I've never been prouder. Perseverance pushes her to stay invested at practice, show up at a race, and finish what she's begun.
She is learning at the age of 16 what I am still trying to gain. I've been skilled at a some things. Excelled in a few, even. Heck, I've been a downright trophy winner in a couple and that feels real good. But when things begin to slide, I can quickly drop my investment and turn to something easier.
Through watching her, I've discovered that champions run at the back of the pack too. I don't have to be the best, most efficient, and most famous to run this race of life like a champion. In fact, running with the average or even at the back of the pack creates a drive and grit that runners near the front sometimes never have to face. Injuries and ability may keep runners in a race and people in life from rising to the top, but they are striving non-the-less.
Striving for eternity is always worth it. Whether success or challenges prevail in life, the striving to finish well while ministering to others determines our reward in the end.
So when my daughter finally passed by with apparent struggle, I cheered her on with a lump in my throat. My pride in her striving overwhelms me and sinks deeper than any ribbon or trophy. She's a champion without a trophy at this race, but learning to run with her eyes on the bigger and lasting prize of eternity.
Does God do the same for me? When I run with burdens weighing me down but continue to strive, does he well up with emotion, recognizing the grit and determination it takes to be human in a broken world while continuing to strive for righteousness and heaven? I don't know, but I'd like to think there is a parallel between my daughter's race and the one I run and a mother's pride and my Father's compassion.
This race is bigger than I know. The struggles and hurts are deeper than they appear. But the reward is better than I can imagine. I will keep putting one foot in front of the other and "run with perseverance the race marked out for me" (Hebrews 12:1).
Lord, help me to strive with grit and determination. Give me the perseverance needed to finish my race well. When others more successful than I, help me to cheer them on. Give me insight to encourage those who are struggling with me, or those who plain pulled out of the race. Make me a woman who strives after You with the spirit of a champion. Amen.
James 1:12
Nobody was left, really.The rhythmic cadence of slim-legged runners with eyes on the braids of the next girl to pass were long gone. Heavy-breathing, eyes-to-the-ground girls were trickling past with longer intervals as I stood there, craning my neck to cheer on the girl I came to watch, my daughter.
She hasn't always been near the tail end of runners. In fact, two seasons ago, she was the uncontested first runner on her team with individual times that qualified her for advancement in the state tournament. But that's been a while ago now and the front runners seem a million miles ahead.
Running was easy and fun for her then. The attention wasn't bad either. But when her times began to backslide, so did her confidence.
Thanks to summer camp chants like "Glory Goes to God" and a motto of "I'm Third" my daughter understood that winning isn't the only end goal in athletics. She hung on the phrases of her camp coaches who delivered competition talks about character and blessing and cheering for the winning team, even when it isn't yours. When she didn't run at the front of the pack on her team, she was sure to lead otherwise, in encouraging and prompting the team to prayer and a focus on Scripture.
Running on a team has never been more difficult for her than it is now, yet she continues to put one foot in front of the other. And I've never been prouder. Perseverance pushes her to stay invested at practice, show up at a race, and finish what she's begun.
She is learning at the age of 16 what I am still trying to gain. I've been skilled at a some things. Excelled in a few, even. Heck, I've been a downright trophy winner in a couple and that feels real good. But when things begin to slide, I can quickly drop my investment and turn to something easier.
Through watching her, I've discovered that champions run at the back of the pack too. I don't have to be the best, most efficient, and most famous to run this race of life like a champion. In fact, running with the average or even at the back of the pack creates a drive and grit that runners near the front sometimes never have to face. Injuries and ability may keep runners in a race and people in life from rising to the top, but they are striving non-the-less.
Striving for eternity is always worth it. Whether success or challenges prevail in life, the striving to finish well while ministering to others determines our reward in the end.
So when my daughter finally passed by with apparent struggle, I cheered her on with a lump in my throat. My pride in her striving overwhelms me and sinks deeper than any ribbon or trophy. She's a champion without a trophy at this race, but learning to run with her eyes on the bigger and lasting prize of eternity.
Does God do the same for me? When I run with burdens weighing me down but continue to strive, does he well up with emotion, recognizing the grit and determination it takes to be human in a broken world while continuing to strive for righteousness and heaven? I don't know, but I'd like to think there is a parallel between my daughter's race and the one I run and a mother's pride and my Father's compassion.
This race is bigger than I know. The struggles and hurts are deeper than they appear. But the reward is better than I can imagine. I will keep putting one foot in front of the other and "run with perseverance the race marked out for me" (Hebrews 12:1).
Lord, help me to strive with grit and determination. Give me the perseverance needed to finish my race well. When others more successful than I, help me to cheer them on. Give me insight to encourage those who are struggling with me, or those who plain pulled out of the race. Make me a woman who strives after You with the spirit of a champion. Amen.
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