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"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11  

Last Sunday, my daughter ran the Chicago Marathon as a member of Team World Vision. The evening before the race, she sent me a text during the team dinner that read, “Isn’t it kind of crazy that I’m here because three years ago my dog broke Dad’s leg?”

Her message instantly triggered my memory back three years to the morning her dog unexpectedly lunged after something while Ken was walking him. The sudden tug on the leash sent Ken tumbling off a curb, breaking two bones in his leg. Surgery followed, and he spent months rehabilitating the use of that leg. Her guilt led her to volunteer to take his place and walk the Detroit half marathon with me, which ignited a sudden passion for running marathons and helping children in third world countries receive clean water at the same time.  

This was her second marathon, and since Ken and I serve as the CEOs of her cheering committee, we were both there, working our way around the city to locate her and provide encouragement and snacks!

However, attending a marathon as a spectator is such an emotional experience! Being in a crowd of 1.7 million people who are constantly yelling words of encouragement to total strangers is pretty endearing and emotional! Some held very funny signs, such as “Blink Twice If You Want Me To Call An Uber”, “This Is The Worst Parade Ever!”, “Just Remember That You Paid To Do This!”, and “Run Faster… I’m So Tired Of Holding This Sign And I Want To Go Home!” Most jerseys have the runner’s name on them, so people are just yelling, “Let’s go, Lisa”, ”You’ve got this Brian”, “Keep going Jessica!”, especially when they looked exhausted and/or physically drained.

Since my daughter lives and works in Chicago, she also had friends along the 26.2 mile path providing encouragement. However, one of the sweetest gestures came from members of her Senior Citizen fitness class, who made a huge sign for her and texted her their exact mile marker so she could locate them.

Their sign was so big that she could barely see them, but her heart became overwhelmed with emotion when she found them in the crowd and heard them yelling her name, she instantly started to cry and stopped to hug them. Shocked that she stopped, they quickly hugged her and then commanded, “Now get going 'cuz you have a ways to go!”

What a beautiful example of the difference we can make when we show up for one another! Her sweet students reminded me that encouragement isn’t about grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s a homemade sign, a thoughtful text, or simply making the effort to stand along someone’s path and say, “I’m here. I’m praying for you! With God’s help, you can do this!”

I truly believe that this is what love looks like when it’s put into action, and this is one powerful way that God works through us! He places people in our lives who remind us that we are seen, valued, and loved. God also gives us opportunities to offer that same reassurance to others in simple and unexpected ways while pointing them to back to Him.

Kristine’s sweet ladies’ presence and encouragement touched her heart in ways they may never know. When we take time to “Be The Light” by lifting up and encouraging another person, we are extending that same love and care that the Lord gives to us on a daily basis.

Each of us has our own race to run; we have no idea of the challenges that may be present along the course. But just as those marathon fans were lining the streets of Chicago and chanting words of encouragement, our Heavenly Father is standing along our courses and saying those same inspiring and affirming words, “You can do this”, “Keep going”, “I’ve got you!”

Have a wonderful week knowing that you may not know what the day will bring, but you know who brings the day. He will never leave you. He’s your biggest cheerleader!

In His Love,

Mrs. Palka