A Half Marathon

This past Sunday, 18 months after his cancer diagnosis, my husband ran a half marathon, 13.1 miles.  Last fall as he was completing his treatments and surgeries, Mark made an agreement with several friends to run the Oklahoma City Memorial (half) Marathon.  Our good friends from the Marine Corps traveled from Pennsylvania to join him (a Marine never leaves his brother’s side – Semper Fi), and he ran with many colleagues from work (Christ’s Body who laid hands on my husband and prayed him through every step of his treatment and recovery).  Loved ones that had prayed him through cancer now prayed for endurance and strength through 13.1 miles.  This was a celebration of life and healing recognizing that only God's grace has brought Mark to this place of renewed health and ability.  

Mark’s training had been disciplined but not as he had hoped.  The 6am runs weren’t always doable as planned.  Unexpected fatigue, late nights coaching little league, weekend tournaments, or bedtime lingering to answer questions about feelings and thoughts of changes to come often bumped the marathon training goals. Everyday life pushed away personal plans in exchange for God’s plans - relationship priorities. 

Thus, Mark had never actually run the distance he would tackle in the half marathon on that rainy Sunday morning.  But as He always does, God took over.  Experienced runners brought race-day techniques; encouragers served pasta for last minute energy; and loved ones prayed.  God allowed an opportunity for Mark to see His strength fill in all the training gaps.  Mark humbly entered the race with confidence not in his own power but the promise that God has spoken to him all though his journey.  “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 2:9

The untested final five miles were met with a spirit of adventure and uncertainty.  What would God make of this last stretch?  Mark recounted this time to me with the tear-filled eyes of emotion that I hadn’t seen in 18 month.  But this time it wasn’t the pre-battle emotions of the unknown as he prepared to endure the medical battle.  I heard about God’s severe mercy as Mark saw a glimpse of God’s glory and felt his power through sweat, pain, blood, and rain.  As Mark saw the finish line ahead, pain gripped his calves, rain poured upon him, and he felt the freedom and power of God’s grace and sufficiency.  It was just a glimpse of God’s glory.

Thank you Lord for showing Your glory, sharing Your power and giving us undeserved mercies.  Thank you for rejoicing with us!  Amen

“Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion! 
Shout in triumph, O Israel! 
Rejoice and exult with all your heart, 
O daughter of Jerusalem! 
The LORD has taken away His judgments against you, 
He has cleared away your enemies. [Cancer!] 
The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; 
You will fear disaster no more.  In that day it will be said to Jerusalem: 
’Do not be afraid, O Zion; 
Do not let your hands fall limp.  The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. 
He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”  Zephaniah 3:14-17