My Own Race

Several years ago my family visited a cabin together. One of the planned activities was a family 5k. I am not a runner but l I was asked to run the kids’ mile with my four year old nephew. Even I could handle that that much running. As the race began, my nephew took off full-speed but his little legs quickly tired and as he slowed down, the others passed us. He became concerned and disheartened and asked me how he was ever going to catch up. I assured him that his race was just between the two of us. As we continued our race, he had times when he found energy to run and he had moments when he slowed down. There were times he strayed off the road and then came back. I stayed with him the entire time. I cheered him on and encouraged him to keep going. He did not give up and we finished the race together. Other family members were waiting at the finish line, cheering as my nephew returned, having finished the race. He completed his race and he received the same reward -a granola bar and drink- as every family member who crossed the finish line.

Many times in my “race” of life, I, like my nephew, have looked at others and wondered how I could ever catch up.

Sometimes others seem so far ahead of me and my abilities. In those moments, I have to remind myself that this is my race and it’s just me and the Savior. He will encourage me along the path, help me back to the path, and enable me to keep going at the pace I need in order to finish the race. I don’t have to be the fastest; the most important part is that I finish--finish the race He and I are doing together. I know that we will all have loved ones to cheer us on at the finish line and each member of our Heavenly Father's family who finishes will receive the same great reward. We will “come up unto the crown prepared for [us]” (Doctrine and Covenants 78:15) with our Father in Heaven, Savior, and families. If we continue our individual “races” of life, we each can say as Paul in 2 Timothy 4 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

--Shannon

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