We Need Each Other to Finish Strong

I was (emphasis on “was”) a half-marathon runner up until a couple of years ago when my knees starting singing songs of “gloom, despair and agony on me”. I knew I needed to hang up my running shoes and put on my walking shoes. I remember the many hours and days of training and preparing for the impending marathon events. That training, combined with friends and family support, would assure me of a strong finish.

I think about all of us in these formidable times. While I am in a cozy, safe place here in my little home all to myself, I am well aware of the moms and dads working from home and/or homeschooling their children, which is an unprepared-for-way-of-life. A young single mom I know is having to confront all this by herself – with four young children. And I think about those who are struggling with enough finances to sustain their families throughout this time of job loss. And I think about all the healthcare workers and the essential services workers who are being stretched to the nth degree. And so many others whose lives have been turned upside down. They must feel like they are in a no-ending marathon because what was days has turned into weeks and maybe even months.

I’m convinced this race we’re in won’t last forever. The end may not be in sight just yet, but it is, without doubt, up ahead. I remember how long my marathons seemed. One mile completed, then two miles, then three...... The energy at the beginning was being depleted as I ran. But a bright light shined for me when, at strategic locations, my family would be standing on a corner, holding up signs and cheering me on “Go Nana! Go Mom! You can do this! You’ve got this!” It was just what I needed to help me finish strong. It seemed there was no end in sight, but I would round a corner and up ahead I could hear the crowd cheering, the announcer declaring the names of those crossing the finish line, and I just knew I could make it and hear my name being announced. Hurting, exhausted, and worn-out as I was – I crossed that finish line. How sweet the victory was for me AND for those cheering me on.

What can we do to be those cheerleaders who push and pull us through these times? My daughter-in-love sent me lots of videos and photos of what they’re doing during these times. It made me tear up – with happy tears – to see them making the most of their isolation. We can do the same thing. We can hold up encouragement signs via drive-bys or social media, texting, making phone calls. We can assure others that we are REALLY praying for them. Maybe even offering financial support for those who are at the end of their resources. Those small acts help them know their value and worth to us.

And to all of you – all of us – who are in this “season” of so many unknowns, we are not without hope. A new day is on the horizon – maybe we can’t see the end yet, but it will be seen sooner or later. That’s what this daily blog is all about. To be a cheerleader to you – no matter what you’re facing today. To be a megaphone for God shouting out to you: “You are God's beloved child and you are worthy of being encouraged and supported as you continue to run this race. Live strong during these times with knowing that God is with you, cheering you on to your Finish Line. Run strong. Finish strong. And, pass it along!

“Help carry each other's burdens. In this way you will follow Christ's teachings.” Galatians 6:2

Browsing Brings Blessings for a Blog

DREAM, PLAY, GIVE, SMILE, CHERISH -- truly words to live by. This wall mural got my attention while shopping at the At Home Store. This is the way I really want to live! Embracing this one life with as much gusto as I can.

DREAM like there are no impossibilities. Nothing is impossible with God -- so we shouldn't insult Him with small thinking -- BIG THINKING brings Him BIG PLEASURE! “Let the Lord be magnified who has PLEASURE in the prosperity of His servants.” (Psalms 35:27)

PLAY like there are no winners. My son is a marathon runner -- readying up for the Boston Marathon in April..again. He doesn't run to win. He competes against himself -- to finish. He is the winner of every race he runs. And I intend to be the winner of my race! I will finish my course AND my God-given assignment. I will be the single winner of my RACE! "And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us," (Hebrews 12:1)

GIVE like you have plenty. Generosity is about a heart for giving -- and when we have that heart -- there will always be more than enough to share. Give time. Give intentional focus to that one who needs your undivided attention. How about being such irrational givers that we start to round up when the cashier says "Would you like to donate to whatever charity they're representing?" "Give and it shall be given, pressed down, shaken together and running over" (Luke 6:38)

SMILE till your face hurts. I want my outside to reflect the inner joy and delight I have on the inside. There's just something about a "smiler" that lets us know -- something or SOMEONE lives big in them. I love Nat King Cole's "SMILE" lyrics: "Smile though your heart is aching. Smile even though it's breaking. When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by if you smile through your fear and sorrow, smile and maybe tomorrow, you'll see the sun come shining through for you. Light up your face with gladness, hide every trace of sadness. Although a tear may be ever so near. That's the time you must keep on trying. Smile, what's the use of crying? You'll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smile." "A cheerful heart is good medicine," (Proverbs 17:22)

And, CHERISH you and your friends and family everyday. It takes a lot to say "I cherish ME", but isn't that what Jesus meant when He said "Love your neighbor as you love yourself"? I really do cherish my friends -- THAT'S YOU -- and my family. My greatest joys and the things that money just can't buy are those people that God has given me. "Because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love which you cherish towards all God's people," (Colossians 1:4)

I'm going to keep my eyes WIDE OPEN for the "God" moments like I saw in this sign. They sure make me want to dream more, play more, give more, smile more and cherish more -- on purpose!

He’s Achieving His Goal – 50 in 50

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” —Isaiah 40:29–31

This scripture came alive this morning when I gave it to my son on a card. He’ll need those words in just a short while as he runs his 50th 26.2 mile marathon that starts at 6:30 am this morning. This one is the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Ryan's goal for years was to complete 50 full marathons within his 50 years of life and this one here in Oklahoma City is especially meaningful because he graduated high school here and Shawntel is a former Miss Oklahoma and Miss America and a life-sized bronze statute was sculpted to honor her and two other Miss Americas who attended Oklahoma City University. We'll stop by to see it later today. Ryan turned 50 last July. He’s accomplishing that goal today. We’re here to cheer him on. We’ll have our t-shirts, signs, noisemakers and strategic locations to be at throughout his run.

After completing several triathlons in 2006, he ran his first 26.2-miler in the New York City Marathon. My sweetheart, Ryan’s dad, was with him at that one and I told Ryan, yesterday, that he’s still here for him running alongside him in this one. Ryan doesn't run to win. He competes against himself -- to finish. He is the winner of every race he runs. He's just that driven, determined, no quit kind-of-guy.

On May 1st, 2011, after training for six months, I ran the Half Marathon in this same Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. It was a feat that was inspired by my husband’s passing just six months earlier. He was paralyzed in the last months of life. He couldn’t run, but since I was told that my son got his long legs from me, I gave it all I had to “memorialize my sweetheart AND all those who had lost their lives in the bombing on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995. We went to the memorial yesterday and walked through the inspiring grounds and museum located at the bombing site. The timing seemed to be orchestrated by God when we walked through the 168 chairs that memorialize those who lost their lives – small ones that represented the children and large ones that represented the adults. We walked to a small chair that had a stuffed teddy bear on it and we saw a woman changing out a pin that was on the bear, with her two children. I asked if she knew this child that this chair represents, and she said, “Yes, I’m his mother.” Immediately, all of us couldn’t hold back the tears that brought reality of what happened to a dear family. This mother exuded the peace of God. I could see she had been on a marathon of her own – carrying on with dignity and joy – which brings meaning to her loss.

Everyone who lost their lives on that tragic day, as well as all of us who remain, have a voice and a life that is to be run with meaning and purpose. Some of us will cross our finish line earlier than others, but it will be a race that we were supposed to run. I won’t be running today, but I’ll sure be one of those remembering and memorializing the runners and what they’re running for.

Whether we are running or walking our race, it’s easy to be tempted to go through life competing with everyone around us. When we see someone who seems to have more in talents, looks, wealth and instead of running our race and being comfortable with who we are, oftentimes, we feel inferior and think, “I’ve got to catch up to them or I’ve got to go further and faster than them.” That’s called competition and what we are asked to do is to be the best and do the best we possibly can with what God has given to us. That’s when we’ll have all the resources of heaven to finish strong – mounting up with wings as eagles, walking and running to our finish line! When we focus on being who God made us to be, that’s when we’ll rise up higher and be positioned for winning and conquering our race.

No Need to Run for Ron -- He's Got This!

Day 328 of Photo Inspirations -- No Need to Run For Ron -- He's Got This!

Yesterday, for the 5th year in a row, I ran for Ron at the Route 66 Williams Marathon -- 5K. These photo inspirations are each year's photo, 2010 to yesterday's. In between those years, I did two Route 66 Half Marathons, another Half in Vancouver, BC and another in OKC, and the rest were 5Ks. The 5Ks are where I am right now, but that's not to say, I won't do another Half -- just nursing a leg injury from when I climbed Mt. Everest last summer. NOT! Just nursing a leg injury from two silly falls I had earlier in the year. Sure would have been more glamorous and impressive if I had been doing some audacious out loud feat. LOL!

Doing this run every year has meant so much to me. The first one was planned when my Sweetheart could no longer move his legs because of the tumor that was impinging on his spinal cord. He couldn't run, but we could, Staci was inspired to get the word out about a "Movement of Gratitude". She let our friends and family know: "Dad has no choice but to lie in that bed. Yet our legs are strong and fully able! We need to get in that race and give thanks for what God has given us and get moving.”

So one year ago, yesterday (two days after my Sweetheart's funeral), November 21st, 2010, over 25 of us showed up with our red "Run for Ron" t-shirts. It was the 5th 26.2 mile marathon in 55 days that our son, Ryan, ran, but this time, in honor of his dad. Our oldest grandson, Braden, ran the half-marathon (13.1 mile). The rest of us started our 5K run/walk at 8 am. We were all running/walking with such passion -- so appreciative that we could.

Once we completed our 5K, we rushed to cheer for Braden as he crossed the Finish Line from his half marathon in his personal best time ever. He told me that he felt his Papa pushing him all the way.

When we went to meet up with Ryan at Mile 16 to cheer him on, a call came in, "a man had passed out just in front him". What marathon runners don't do is stop running mid-way through a marathon as it seizes up their legs, but, nevertheless, Ryan stopped to help him. When it was apparent he was unconscious, Ryan held his feet and prayed while others were performing CPR for over 16 minutes. He stayed until the ambulance took the man away. Later we found out the 27-year old man passed away during that time. We knew it was providence that Ryan was there, and even that my Honey was probably at Heaven's gate to greet him when he reached the other side. We cheered for Ryan as he crossed the Finish Line -- not his best time because of the delay -- but God's best time, which IS the BEST time.

I was interviewed by the Tulsa World newspaper reporter about our "Run for Ron". As an exclamation point to our efforts, that article and photo ran in the paper the next day.

Yesterday, running with my friend, brought back sweet memories of these Runs for Ron. But I sensed a message from heaven as we ran. "It's time to stop Running for Ron. He's doing just fine running on his own now. He is no longer in pain and he even has a perfect back, perfect legs, and a perfect body in heaven." I agree. But, I will keep running. I'll do the Route 66 again next year. It's time I celebrate that I'm still here and I can be strong to Run for Donna and finish my OWN RACE! It's time to look straight ahead to what I expect to be MY BEST DAYS on earth!"

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

We Ran.....Because We Could!

My husband's Memorial Service was on Friday, and on Sunday, we ran the Tulsa Route 66 Marathon in his honor. He was paralyzed during his final weeks of life, so we celebrated that we COULD run/walk.

Over 25 of us showed up with our red "Run for Ron" t-shirts. It was the 5th marathon in 55 days that our son, Ryan, ran, but this time, in honor of his dad. He started out his 26.2 mile run at 7:30 am. Our oldest grandson, Braden, ran the half-marathon (13.1 mile). The rest of us started our 5K run/walk at 8 am. We were all running/walking with such passion -- so appreciative that we could.

Once we completed our 5K, we rushed to cheer for Braden as he crossed the Finish Line from his half marathon in his personal best time ever. He told me that he felt his Papa pushing him all the way.

When we went to meet up with Ryan at Mile 16 to cheer him on, we waited and waited. We thought we may have missed him, but in reality, we were at the right place at the right time, as Drew -- a member of my church saw us, stopped a moment to pull out a large photo of my husband. He was also "Running for Ron".

Then we got the call….a man had passed out just in front of Ryan. What marathon runners don't do, is stop running mid-way through a marathon as it seizes up their legs, but Ryan stopped to help him. When it was apparent he was unconscious, Ryan held his feet and prayed while others were performing CPR for over 16 minutes. He stayed until the ambulance took the man away. Later we found out the 27-year old man passed away during that time. We knew it was providence that Ryan was there, and even that my Honey was probably there to greet him when he reached the other side. We cheered for Ryan as he crossed the Finish Line -- not his best time because of the delay -- but God's best time, which IS the BEST time.

I was interviewed by the Tulsa World newspaper reporter about our "Run for Ron". As an exclamation point to our efforts, that article and photo ran in the paper the next day. The next words are the caption with the picture and the next section is the article. The other photo is Drew Martins, from my church.

Photo caption: "The Run for Ron Family takes a moment for a group photo at the finish line of the Route 66 Marathon. The family had many members run in various races to commemorate Ron Wuerch, who died Tuesday of cancer."

Article: "While many runners said the wind slowed down their times at the Route 66 Marathon on Sunday, one group found the wind to be anything but adversity. 'We were giving thanks for everything in our life and the wind was like a fresh breath of air,' said Donna Wuerch, whose husband Ron passed away last week.

Wuerch's daughter Staci, son, Ryan and grandson, Braden - who ran the marathon and half-marathon respectively - and a host of extended family members and friends, were decked out in 'Run for Ron' t-shirts.

"This is our way of saying, 'thank you' for our legs, our lungs," Staci said. "Dad had a lot of issues due to cancer, and we just thought it was a nice way to honor him and thank God for our blessings in our life."

Among those running for Ron Wuerch was 32-year-old Gracie Updyke, who pushed her 15-month old son Ryan in a stroller over the 5k run. Runners came from as far away as Canada to support the cause, Works of Mercy, and the Wuerch family.
By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer