To those who have no might He increases strength.  So says the prophet Isaiah.  This little text echoed in my mind over and over throughout the gruelling 26 and a bit miles of the Belfast marathon.  Two weeks before the event it looked as if I would yet again be a non starter, this time with a painful foot injury.  But the Lord in His mercy give sufficient recovery to get to the starting line.  However just a few minutes in to the course my foot was getting sorer with every step and there are about 70,000 of them to take in the marathon.  By 12 miles I was beginning to consider the possibility of having to limp the remainder and hopefully be home before nightfall.  By 16 miles the ache in my right knee and thigh and achilles tendon had intensified so much that the pain in my foot now felt like a tickle.  But on we went.  We had made a commitment to do something – run the marathon and raise some money for our designated charity (see previous post) and with God’s help we would finish if physically possible.  By 18 miles James was flagging big time and looking as if he was heading on a goths outing and needed that fatherly encouragement – YOU ARE NOT STOPPING BOY – JUST KEEP GOING.  He is an obedient son and on he plodded.

On our own we wouldn’t have made it – I would have dropped out at 12 miles and he at 17 – but we had made a commitment to one another and to a vast number of people who had kindly sponsored us – so stopping wasn’t on the radar.

I am thankful to God for an earthly father who has taught me if a job is worth doing it is worth doing well, what you start you finish and when you are committed to someone or something you stick at it till you have done all that you can do.  I am thankful to my heavenly Father who has placed me a church where many of God’s people understand what commitment to the church is that we are in this race team not for our own promotion or well being but the good of every one else. I feel a great measure of sadness for the lone rangers, and let’s face it there are a few with the RP stamp, who are in the team (just about) and the successful finishing of the others never registers in their minds.

James and I would like to thank all our team members who have kindly donated to our charity.

We have well since passed the target of £500 and are now well on track to make the £1000 marker.  The online giving is still operational and we would be glad to receive your late contribution (see previous post) We put the names on the running tops just in case you got us mixed up!

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