Cross Country State Meet Reflections: Running the Race of Faith

The state meet was such a big day. I’ll admit it, I was a nervous nelly like always when my kids have something big going on. But maybe I’m growing, because this time I didn’t have the “nervous poops.” A little too much information, but for real, other parents will understand that feeling. I wouldn’t call myself a nervous person. I’ve learned to kick anxiety away and to claim 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” I do not entertain fear, and I refuse to let anxiety rule my heart. But when it comes to watching your child compete, those mama nerves can still sneak in.

It was a cool, windy day, not the kind of weather I had hoped for. I layered up and decided to stick with my crutches since there was light rain earlier that morning. Just getting from the car to the starting line wore me out, and every step reminded me that healing takes time. Instead of trying to get to multiple viewing spots, I stayed near the start and finish, soaking it all in.

During the race, I prayed. I watched the big screen updates and listened closely to the announcer. When I heard that my daughter’s team was in fourth place at mile one, my heart sank a little. That was not where we wanted to be. But I prayed again and trusted they would start making moves. And they did. By mile two, I could see their names moving up. Then came the finish. I spotted my daughter and cheered as loudly as I could. My heart swelled with pride.

They finished second. It wasn’t the defending championship they hoped for, but it was still an incredible accomplishment. The team that took first had three freshmen with record-breaking times. It was truly amazing to watch. I loved seeing our girls celebrate second place with joy and gratitude. They recognized that every season has its purpose, and that was such a beautiful thing to witness.

When I finally got my hug, it came with tears. Joy for her, but also the realization that this might have been her last high school cross country race. I have loved every single meet, every cheer, every muddy shoe, and every finish line moment. I am so proud that my daughter knows her identity isn’t tied to a sport. She loves to run, but she knows who she is in Christ first.

We are both in seasons of transition. She is waiting for God to reveal her next steps after high school, and I am walking slowly through my own healing journey. In our own ways, we are both learning to trust, to move forward one step at a time, and to believe that the same God who carried us this far will guide us into what’s next.

Scripture and Encouragement:
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” — Hebrews 12:1-2

Whether it is a literal race or the unseen race of faith, we keep moving forward by fixing our eyes on Jesus, not on the outcome, not on comparison, not on fear. His pace is perfect. His plan is good.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for giving us strength for every season—the races we run, the steps we take, and the transitions we face. Help us both to trust You completely, to celebrate what You’ve already done, and to walk forward in peace, knowing You are guiding every step. Amen.

Common Mistakes Made When Writing a Will

Writing a will should, by all means, be a simple thing. You want to make sure that your assets are being left to your loved ones and that your final wishes are being fulfilled. Usually, they are rather straightforward, but that doesn’t mean that they are entirely foolproof. Here, we’re going to look at some common issues that can lead to disputes or delays in carrying out your will. Image - CC0 License Not Having It Witnessed Correctly One of the most common mistakes when writing a will is not having it witnessed correctly. Wills generally require the signatures of at least two witnesses who are not beneficiaries or spouses of beneficiaries. If the will is not witnessed in accordance with legal requirements, it may be declared invalid, meaning your estate would be distributed according to intestacy laws, which may not align with your wishes. It’s important to follow the witnessing procedures exactly as outlined in your jurisdiction to ensure the will is legally enforceable. Chan...

Win some Sweet Andy's Cookies

A big thank you to Andy who sent me some amazing cookies to try to conduct my review. :) All opinions expressed are 100 % mine and I was not paid for this review. About Sweet Andy's Cookies: The “Thank You” Cookie In 2009, Andrew (Sweet Andy) found himself in a position like so many others at that time in our past; the economy was quickly spiraling downward and he had left his job in the financial services industry. Although Andy had an MBA in Banking and Finance and had even written a book entitled, “A Guide to Taking Control of Your Investments”, he found himself to be disenchanted with the financial industry and left to pursue “other work.” The “other work” that Andrew pursued was with the Church and did not provide financial support for the family. During this time Andy and his wife, Lissa, struggled to find other forms of income. They did what they could for themselves and their five children but often it was not enough. But there were...

Adorable Hair Clip Giveaway

Win a 10 or 12 hair clips from: Do you have a little girl or know a little girl? Then this is the perfect giveaway for you. You have a chance to win 1 of 2 different lots of adorable Hair Clips and Apesjoy Creation *****Please make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry. Please also make sure you include your name and contact email address.****** The First lot of 12 clips New Hair Clips for Babies, Toddlers, and Little Girls. You will receive TWELVE 1-3/4" alligator pinch clips for your darling little girl designed with ribbon. All ribbon is treated to prevent fraying and only the finest quality materials are used. All clips have a non slip grip to keep it in fine hair! 10 Star Clips: New Hair Clips for Babies, Toddlers, and Little Girls. You will receive TEN 1-3/4" alligator pinch clips for your darling little girl designed with ribbon. All ribbon is treated to prevent fraying and only the finest quality materials are used. EADY TO ENTER THE G...

Praises of a Wife and Mommy

Search This Blog