Finish lines are special places for runners.  After many days of training and pushing hard throughout the race the finish line signals the success of a goal reached.  The runner may not have ran as fast as she or he would have liked but even so reaching the finish line is a significant accomplishment. 

Crowds gather at the finish line squeezing together shoulder to shoulder.  Excitement flows from the crowd to the runners and from the runners to the crowd.  The crowd cheers, claps and shouts encouragement. Runners wave to the crowd.  But the excitment is highest when someone in the crowd sees someone they know and vice versa.  Then the fans and supporters cheer the loudest and call out the name of the runner.  The runner gives a nod or a wave and can’t help but run a bit faster.  

Last spring I happened to be in London on the day of the London Marathon.  The London Marathon finishes in front of Buckingham Palace.  The course takes a right hand turn with 200 meters to go and as the runners come around that final turn the finish line comes into view.  For about an hour I stood at that corner and watched as the tired marathoners came around that corner and saw the finish line.  Many runners pumped their fists in satisfaction knowing they were going to make it to the finish line.  Some broke into tears, some stopped and hugged family and friends who were there to support them, smiles broke out on many sweaty faces. Emotions ran high.

This past week I stood at another finish line. This one was for my mom who was finishing her race on this earth.  For several days her family crowded around her bed, squeezed shoulder to shoulder.  At times we were noisy as we laughed and reminisced together.  And at times we were quiet as we cried and prayed together.  We hugged mom and we hugged each other.  Emotions ran high. 

Last Monday night mom crossed the finish line.  Dad and all of us kids were at her side singing songs, praying and saying goodbye.

Crossing the finish line of a marathon is a great experience.  Your body is exhausted and you feel tremendous satisfaction.  A medal gets placed around your neck and it seems everyone you meet congratulates you for finishing the race.  All around you are others who also finished the race. You knowingly smile and nod at each other as you hobble over to get some snacks to renourish yourself and then it is off to find family and friends.

My mom is a Christian.  She believes in Jesus as her savior.  I can only imagine what she experienced when she came to the end of her race on this earth and crossed the finish line into heaven. I do know that crossing the finish line of a marathon pales in comparison.

You may have noticed that I sign off on this blog with Isaiah 40:31.  I chose this verse because it is a favorite verse of my mom and dad and it has a running theme.  When I took on the challenge of trying to run all 5 marathons in the World Marathon Majors mom and dad were facing their own significant challenges due to mom’s illness. Now my dad needs to continue on without his “running partner” of 59 plus years.  With God’s grace I know he will have the strength to continue to run his race well.  

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”   Isaiah 40:31

Be Healthy

Howard                                                Miles:   1,370.6    Steps:   2,017,293

Isaiah 40:31