Don’t Forget…time is running out!
The other evening I sat watching my son’s football practice. The boys had to run their usual lap around the complex. Now, some of these boys are faster than others, and they take off like Forrest Gump. Others, not so much. They lag behind. Running laps just isn’t their gifting.
Those who run effortlessly came across the finish line and squirted themselves a drink of water, ready for what came next. That is when the unexpected happened.
“Boys!” an unlikely coach’s gruff, deep voice bellowed. “If you’ve finished, then I need some of you to go out there to your teammates and run them in! You HEAR ME? RUN THEM IN! YOU go out there and meet them where they are and encourage them!”
There was a group of four who began running in the opposite direction. They ran to meet those who lagged behind. They went to encourage.
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had…
Romans 15:5
I watched as those burly linebackers and fullbacks eventually crossed the finish line. They were not alone. They had others on the journey with them to encourage them. This hormonal mom welled up.
When was the last time you went back to encourage someone else on the journey? When was the last time you “ran someone in?”
We’re all in this game of life together.
In this selfish, “get to the finish line first” world we live in, we often forget those who lag behind. I took a personal lesson away from this group of 10 year old football players. The race is much more easily run and finished with someone by your side encouraging you along the way.
Someone to” run you in.“
Turn around. Glance back. There’s someone in your life who needs someone to meet them “where they are.” They need someone to run them in.
Be that someone.
I like the analogy and the thought presented here. Turn around and see who needs encouraging and meet them there–great action to take.
Blessings,
Janis
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Thank you for this! I blogged about it on my site.
My 19 yo son really needs someone to come along side him and ‘run him in’. He has made some bad choices and is learning the lesson from those but seems people are looking away. He really needs a friend. He really needs Christ in his life.
Again, thank you
Patty H.
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Great post! I needed that for myself.
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So very good, Lori…
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Love this, Lori. What a blessing that your son a man like this for his coach! Wonderful reminder of the way our Coach wants us to play the game of life. Blessings to you, Susan D.
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Funny thing Susan is that this man does not exude “Christlikenss” as the norm…all the more testimony that God uses ALL of us, aware and unaware to make His point…I actually sat there that
Night and laughed to myself. If this gentleman only knew…
Go
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ADORE this post, Lori – and love having people like this in my life. Such a blessing.
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Lori, what a blessing you are! Thanks for allowing God to reach so many
through your gifts.
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What an amazing demonstration of teamwork from the coach! I remember when one particular woman encouraged me after I had my third child. She freed me from so much guilt I carried. I will always feel gratitude that she took time to “run me in” as a mom.
Lori, this totally blessed me today. And tonight when I meet with my church hometeam, I will cheer my friends in whatever circumstance they find themselves in!
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Thanks for this idea. Going to share it with my husband, whose gift is encouragement and also loves sports.
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[...] “Run Them In!” – Daily Devotional [...]
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I so love this! I think it is one of my favorites! Of course, being the mom of 5 sons – some who played football and some who play soccer – it really drives it home more and more!I wish there were more men who mentored like that!
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