On the drive, we passed a train. All of us in the car got into a discussion about trains. We were talking about whether we had ridden in one. My co-worker said that he climbed over one or ran through one once. I don't remember his exact words nor can I picture exactly what he was talking about, but here's the story. He is a marathon runner. He said that one time (he knew the date and race, but I don't remember that detail) there was a train stopped on the marathon route, and it was a long train. Since there was no going around it and there is no stopping in a race, he went over. He finished his story by saying, "It was sure hard to jump after running 23 miles."
Out of the 52 weeks that Ryan is supposed to be gone, we have only six or seven weeks left. So, if the deployment was a marathon--which in its own way it is--I guess I am nearing the 23 mile mark. I don't feel like I have enough energy to jump. There are times when I feel so weak, even physically weak, that I don't think I can stand up. But I will finish this race. I will climb and jump if required.
So many people are so excited for Ryan and me that this is almost over, but I just want to point out that at 23 miles the race wasn't over for my friend. He still had to cross that train and run. I still have more of my own race to go, and I am so tired. I am not celebrating at the finish-line yet. I am still striving to "run with perseverance the race that is set before [me]" (Hebrews 12:1).
Thank you for being there to encourage me in this race!
Jordon
Only six or seven weeks left....that's more than many people will ever spend apart from their spouse. I know you are tired. But know also that you are not running this marathon alone. Not only do you have a cloud of witnesses, other spouses and families who are enduring?/surviving?/growing through? a deployment, but most importantly, you have Christ, and He will carry you when you are too tired to go on.
ReplyDelete