Don’t Limit What God Can Do

While training for my first marathon I felt some pain in my right knee, and decided to go see my doctor. I wanted to be sure my knee was okay to run the next day. He said I probably had a small stress fracture. He asked me, “Why are you running a marathon, to prove a point?”  I said, “I’m raising money for melanoma cancer research in memory of my brother and his wife.” They had both passed away from melanoma 16 months apart.

The doctor got choked up and said, “If I were you, I’d still run it.” I started to cry. I thought he was going to tell me not to run it. He said I should take a week off from running, and then start my training again and see how it goes. So, I did what he told me and after a week I got things started again with a 13.5 mile run.

During this run the chorus to a worship song ran through my mind over and over. It was a wonderful time with God. Afterwards my knee was feeling okay, so I decided to resume my training. I found a running group that did run/walk intervals and decided to run slowly with them. I did 20 miles with these ladies, and afterwards my knee felt good! No pain! I thought for sure I didn’t have a stress fracture until a couple runs later when the dull ache returned.

It was five weeks until the race and I decided my knee needed more rest. I told a couple of running friends about my problem and they suggested riding my bike instead, but after talking to others, I got mixed reactions. Some said, “Don’t run the marathon and risk injury.” Others said, “Taking a break is a good idea, but you need to do some runs still before the marathon.” Others were supportive of the plan.

At this point I wasn’t sure what God wanted me to do.  I decided to seek the Lord for some answers. One day while reading my Bible that worship chorus came to mind. The song is titled “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail).” Appropriately titled, I thought. I had been hearing it a lot on the radio, so I looked up the words and wrote them out. “Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters, wherever You would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander, and my faith will be made stronger, in the presence of my Savior.” I realized this song is all about trust, not putting God into a box, not limiting what God could do by my lack of faith.

It was raining the weekend before the race, and I decided to run the last eight-mile training run with my running buddies. On the way to the park the clouds parted, the sun shone through, and there was a double rainbow that ended at the park! As I got out of the car the rain started again. I took off with my friends down the trail, they were faster than me, but I was okay with letting them go ahead and running alone with my music. I wasn’t alone after all; I was running with God. Every step of that run in the rain was a blessing. I felt no pain and I worshipped God. The following week I felt no pain, and by race day I was ready to go.

During the race, I ran with the ladies I had ran 20 miles with. We ran/walked 12 miles together and mile after mile the water stations were out of sports drink. I lost my friends as I darted across the street to see if there was a water station on the other side. Nothing, so I pressed on alone, resigned to the possibility that it would just be my music, my God, and me. Then “Oceans” started playing. I prayed to God; I was counting on Him to help me. It was a sunny eighty-degree day, and I needed electrolytes! One friend caught up with me at mile 14 and said, “If you can hang on until mile 16, I have some friends waiting for me and they can help you.” When we found them, they gave me a water bottle and shoved a handful of electrolyte tablets into a baggie, they were angels of mercy! As we approached mile 19, I said I would no longer be able to pick up my feet and run as I was cramping up. I told my friend to go on ahead of me, and that I would be okay. I knew God would take care of me

I started to walk. I prayed, and I worshipped God. Then, as I passed mile 21, I felt a renewed strength. I started running. I felt like I was soaring! Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who wait on the Lord,
shall renew their strength.
They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint.”  That was me.  I finished strong, thankful to God for his help and provision!

There is a verse I put on the back of my running shirt, Romans 5:3-4 “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”  God was using my training and this race to teach me perseverance in the midst of my suffering. He wanted to develop in me more of the characteristics He longs to see in me. And amid it all, I learned to trust in Him more deeply, and have hope that I would make it to the end triumphantly!