Jeremy's Race

When Jeremy went to the library about a week ago, I started thinking about our time together and what we've endured over the course of our relationship—12 years to be exact! One thing that stands out is that Jeremy has never been a physical runner. He runs to play basketball but that's the only running he's done. But-- he's a mental runner. He thinks in marathons-- constant but with ease/skill to not get tired when answering my questions about faith or writing a theology paper on Aquinas, Abelard and Anselm. But he definitely increases his pace or sprints when he's coming up with ways to prohibit me from spending money!

Then, there's his spiritual race. Over the last year and a half-- Jeremy paced himself, as he (we) ran another marathon with this huge step of faith to come to Duke's Divinity School. During this time, he's sprinted again by learning to balance us, his school, his service to church and the juvenile center he serves and be a good friend to his classmates!

These mental races, don't really involve much. Maybe a test here and there-- or a conversation with God but most often, don't require physical skill.

But. A few weeks ago, Jeremy ran his first, physical race—an 8K. To prepare for this race, he needed to prepare his mind to run distances he’d never run before. His training (most weeks) consisted of a short distance, twice a week building up to a long distance that same week and then adding a mile each week thereafter. As the miles increased, so did his speed and his strength—and his courage! And on Saturday—Jeremy crossed the finish line!

Jeremy's finish -- excuse the side view. I can't rotate the pic from my phone :(

Like Jeremy—we must become mentally, physically and even emotionally prepared for the races we run in our lives. Neglecting to take care of ourselves, to plan and to be connected with God can leave us tired and possibly missing the finish line all together.

I am so proud of my husband! I tell him but I want you to know—I am truly proud of him. His endurance, his patience and his skill to not only run a physical and mental race, but most importantly, a spiritual race.

#ProudWife,
~Mrs.G