(This was written when my oldest daughter, Kate, was a 6th grader. She has recently completed her sophomore year as a letter winner on the cross country team. And she still says she can go faster)
I wonder if this is how God feels…
It has been a remarkable season watching Kate (my oldest)
run cross-country for her junior high team.
Remarkable in the sense that she has received no genetic
gifting whatsoever for this endeavor from her father.
Remarkable in the fact that 2 months ago Kate had never run
a single mile.
Remarkable in the way that God has worked on me through all
of this.
It’s hard being an overprotective father at a cross-country
meet.
The gun goes off…
Off they go…
Out of sight…
Out of your care…
What if she falls?
What if she gets lost? What
if she gets sick?
What am I suppose to do?
Wait
Watch
Cheer
Since her first meet (running at around 17:00), Kate’s
single goal was to qualify for the state meet. She watched as her best friend qualified. She watched as new friends
qualified. She got excited as her
times steadily dropped with each meet.
She fretted for two straight meets as her times went the
wrong direction.
She celebrated as the whole team qualified for the state
meet, but she wasn’t content.
“I will qualify as an individual.”
She became Donna Quixote and 14:30 was her windmill
Last night, with fall definitely in the air, the starter’s
pistol once again signaled the start of another pursuit and the last chance to
qualify as an individual for state.
Kate looked so strong (even though she is one of the
smallest out there)
Kate looked so beautiful (just like her mom – I need all the
points I can get)
Kate looked so determined
Kate looked so at peace…
and
then she was gone
swallowed
up by the pack
overtaken
by the trees
And all I could do was…
Wait
Watch
Cheer
This was Kate’s race.
Her competition was herself.
I couldn’t fix things.
Make things better.
Guarantee her a happy ending.
On the other side of the finish line was a life lesson
written out just for her.
Regardless of the outcome, Kate was going to learn something
about herself.
And all I could do was…
Wait
Watch
Cheer
As she crossed the finish line I came to a realization and
placed my stopwatch/iPhone into my pocket
Her victory this day would not be defined by place
Her worth could never be factored out in increments of time
Kate left nothing out on that course
And although she was not the fastest, there was no one out
there more determined.
As we walked towards each other, tears filled both our
eyes.
No words
She just needed her Dad to hold her for a minute
I wondered if this is how God feels…
When we fall into His arms
Exhausted
Weary
With
nothing left to give
I wondered if this is what God waits for…
Us
to fall into His arms
Win,
lose or draw
Seeking Him as our refuge and
strength, above any accolades, awards, or ribbons
I wondered if this is what God longs for…
That moment when we realize that we have a Father in Heaven
who will throw open His arms to hold us when we seek Him out…
regardless of where
or how
or even if we
cross the finish line
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the
faith.
2 Timothy 4:7
Kate’s time was 14:26
Kate qualified as an individual for the state meet
Her response…
“I know I can go faster…”
I know you can too, Kate Rabbit
I know you can too
But even if you don’t…
There is nothing you can do, or not do
That will make me love you even more or even less
I wonder if that is how God feels…
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