A Norvell Note for January 31, 2022
Vol. 26 No. 05
You Did it!
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
Kim and I found a spot near the finish line as our daughter, and her best friend ran a Half-Marathon through the streets of Austin. We monitored their pace and location on the app provided by race promoters.
As runners approached the finish line, the announcer called their names and congratulated them. As the runners came to the finish line, some would give one last push as they crossed the line. Others would struggle to take one more step to make it to the finish line.
As the runners glanced up, they saw the words “Finish Line,” their facial expressions changed dramatically from struggle and pain to relief and joy. “I did it!”
When we found Laura and Mel, they had these big smiles on their faces and said, “WE DID IT!” Of course, we were very proud and excited for them, but the fact that they weren’t even breathing hard made me feel old.
They talked about how there were times along to course when they struggled, and there were times they felt the “runner’s high” and could have run all day. But then, it got hard again. Eventually, they reached the point where they realized the end was in sight, friends and families cheered for them, and they could see the finish line.
That’s when the words above came to mind, “I have fought the fight. I finished the race!”
As I reflect on these two young ladies reaching their goals, these thoughts come to mind.
When people we love move toward the end of their lives, I hope we can be with them as they get a glimpse of the finish line and celebrate for them and with them. If you are with them as that time approaches, you may see a change in their facial expression as they realize they will make it. Celebrate with them and say, “You did it!”
Our workdays sometimes feel like a test of our endurance. Another phone call, one more email, one more unnecessary question might send you over the edge. But, then, you see that the clock is moving, and the day is almost over, and you say, “I did it!”
Life itself gets us down and wears us out, and we wonder what else can go wrong. There are times when you want to quit. But you don’t because you know people are cheering for you at the finish line. So keep your eyes on the finish line, and shout, “I did it!”
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