If I stop running, how am I going to get home?
I have actually thought this while out on a run, so when I saw it on a Nike T-shirt, it made me laugh out loud.
The fact is, we have all thought it at some point- maybe not in those exact words, but we have thought about quitting. The truth is, I had a habit of quitting with about a half a mile left. Of course I would finish the course, but I would quit on the inside- stop and walk. Run slow, slow, slower, until I was practically walking, or just stop trying. Why? Because finishing is hard. You're tired. You're sweaty. And if you're like me- you're probably hungry too.
The worst part is that I didn't even realize I had this half-mile-to-go-quitting M.O. until I was on a run with my husband one day. We were nearing home- toughing it out together- when I just stopped. I couldn't go any farther. I was finished, Game Over- no lives left.
"What?! You can't stop now- we're almost home!" My husband exclaimed. He had seen me do this at least three other times. I hadn't noticed I was doing it at all. For whatever reason, his words stuck. He made it sound absolutely preposterous to quit with so little distance left. I had never thought of it that way.
I began to think about that- look how far I had come. Look at the obstacles I had overcome. Look at the hills I had demolished (see previous post,) the dogs I had outwitted, the sidewalks I had conquered- and for what? To stop now? Heck NO!
I started again, albeit slowly, but start I did.
That was over a year ago. Seeing this T-shirt brought this memory back to the forefront of my mind. I had forgotten that I used to be a quitter because I learned how to finish, and now, I not only finish- I finish...strong.
Last Sunday my Pastor preached about being a finisher. He said, "You know, I think God likes it when people finish! Why? Because we're supposed to be like him, and our God is not a quitter!" (I paraphrased) As he went on, he reminded us that we need to consider the reward for our labor, and keep moving forward. As parents, as runners, as people- the message is the same. Consider the reward- keep moving forward.
Finish strong.
The apostle Paul considered the reward, and even though he was whipped 39 times, beaten with rods three times, stoned, and shipwrecked- three times* (and we think we have it rough)- he didn't quit sharing the gospel, because he understood the reward. He says in 2nd Timothy 4:7-8, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Here's the reward part, verse 8: "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day..."
He didn't quit, and he knew he would be rewarded by the Lord with a crown of righteousness. WOOT-WOOT! That makes it all worth it, right?
So, next time you want to quit, next time you think, "If I stop ___________ now, how will I ________________?" (Fill in the blank.) Consider the reward, and finish strong.
*2 Corinthians 11:24-25
For practical tips on "Toughing It Out" on a run, check out this article on Runner's World.com
I have actually thought this while out on a run, so when I saw it on a Nike T-shirt, it made me laugh out loud.
The fact is, we have all thought it at some point- maybe not in those exact words, but we have thought about quitting. The truth is, I had a habit of quitting with about a half a mile left. Of course I would finish the course, but I would quit on the inside- stop and walk. Run slow, slow, slower, until I was practically walking, or just stop trying. Why? Because finishing is hard. You're tired. You're sweaty. And if you're like me- you're probably hungry too.
The worst part is that I didn't even realize I had this half-mile-to-go-quitting M.O. until I was on a run with my husband one day. We were nearing home- toughing it out together- when I just stopped. I couldn't go any farther. I was finished, Game Over- no lives left.
"What?! You can't stop now- we're almost home!" My husband exclaimed. He had seen me do this at least three other times. I hadn't noticed I was doing it at all. For whatever reason, his words stuck. He made it sound absolutely preposterous to quit with so little distance left. I had never thought of it that way.
I began to think about that- look how far I had come. Look at the obstacles I had overcome. Look at the hills I had demolished (see previous post,) the dogs I had outwitted, the sidewalks I had conquered- and for what? To stop now? Heck NO!
I started again, albeit slowly, but start I did.
That was over a year ago. Seeing this T-shirt brought this memory back to the forefront of my mind. I had forgotten that I used to be a quitter because I learned how to finish, and now, I not only finish- I finish...strong.
Last Sunday my Pastor preached about being a finisher. He said, "You know, I think God likes it when people finish! Why? Because we're supposed to be like him, and our God is not a quitter!" (I paraphrased) As he went on, he reminded us that we need to consider the reward for our labor, and keep moving forward. As parents, as runners, as people- the message is the same. Consider the reward- keep moving forward.
Finish strong.
The apostle Paul considered the reward, and even though he was whipped 39 times, beaten with rods three times, stoned, and shipwrecked- three times* (and we think we have it rough)- he didn't quit sharing the gospel, because he understood the reward. He says in 2nd Timothy 4:7-8, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Here's the reward part, verse 8: "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day..."
He didn't quit, and he knew he would be rewarded by the Lord with a crown of righteousness. WOOT-WOOT! That makes it all worth it, right?
So, next time you want to quit, next time you think, "If I stop ___________ now, how will I ________________?" (Fill in the blank.) Consider the reward, and finish strong.
*2 Corinthians 11:24-25
For practical tips on "Toughing It Out" on a run, check out this article on Runner's World.com