Running has been a good outlet for me. During a 5K, I paced with a lady from about the 1.5 to the 2.5 mile mark and then pulled ahead of her a bit. Towards the end of the race, there was quite a big hill. I really hate hills! I noticed an older gentleman running the other way. He had a number bib so I asked, "Do we have to come back, or are you lost?" He said, "No, I'm coming back for my daughter." It was the lady I was pacing with so she was just a little bit behind me. I heard him get to her and say "You're almost done. There's a hill but once you get to the top, you'll be so close you can see it." They got right up next to me about the time the hill became steeper. The steepness slowed me down quite a bit. I think she was slowing as well, but her dad kept coaching her breathing and pace. He was telling her how well she was doing. As they got further to the top I reflected on that whole situation. Her dad came back for her, which gave her the extra strength she needed. He gave her a "heads up" on what was coming and how to conquer it. I didn't have either and it was easier to slow down. It was easy to stop running all together. I thought about this a lot during the days following the race. I really tried to "see" Him doing that for me. At the time I was walking up the hill, feeling sorry for myself as I normally do when I see an awesome dad do something loving for his daughter, I tried to think "my earthly father is no where near this struggle, or any other 'hills' but maybe my Heavenly Father is."
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