Friday, August 31, 2012

Cross Country Meet

This year, for the first time, three of our children are participating in a homeschool cross country team.  When I was their age I would have considered it a fate worse than death to have to run long distance races.  As a basketball player and sprinter on our track team, I stood in awe of my classmates who actually *wanted* to run long distances, and now I have three children who are doing just that.

Actually, come to think of it, even I have taken a liking to running long(er) distances... who'd-of-thunk-it?

Yesterday was a red letter day here... it was Tom's birthday *and* the very first cross country invitational meet for our children.  


As it would turn out... the weather was super-hot yesterday~ all of 95 degrees.  I was hot just watching them... as I stood in the shade!  Wow!


This was such a large invitational meet (14 teams, I believe) that there was a separate race for the 7th graders.  That meant that Joshua could compete in this meet.  He was *so* excited!  (He's #704)


When I was younger, we'll just say a *few* years ago~ my parents sacrificed their schedule to attend every basketball game, volleyball game and track meet that I participated in.  While I was certainly grateful for their support, I never really "got" how much fun it was to cheer for your children as they worked and competed in sporting events.  I get it now.


I would have been bursting-with-pride either way, but it was especially fun to see Joshua win a medal in his 7th grade race!



 Caleb was next up, running with the 8th graders... (#709)


 Silly boy... I think he had too much energy left at the end of the race!



And finally, the senior high girls were up.  Abbie next!  (#700)  She is on the far right in this pic.


It was interesting for me to watch the children and cheer for them and also think about the big half IronMan triathlon that I have been training so long for.  It struck me that possibly, just possibly the Lord is pleased with me and is proud to "cheer for me" just because He is my Father.  Just like I am *so* proud of my children for simply being them.  They don't have to be olympians or win medals for me to enjoy watching them compete....


I don't have to win my age group or qualify for national championships in order for Him to be pleased with me.  It is easy for me to see that with my children, but harder for me to view myself that way.  Certainly I want to strive for excellence in all of my triathlon training, but the fact is that there are limitations to what I can do.  If I am able to stay injury-free and continue to train and compete next year I anticipate that I will improve in all three sports.

I can rejoice in what I *can* do now and enjoy this whole process and most likely my precious Savior is happy with watching me as well~ even though I may never win anything.


Abbie was such a trooper!  The senior high girls had a longer course than either of our boys did~ and on such a hot day.  I was inspired just watching all of my racers!

Aren't you glad that the Lord shows up for all of your "meets" and is cheering for you?

"running the race with endurance..."   Heb.12:1

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