I'm sure she heard that response more than once over the past 11 months. As a freshman, Jessie had no idea what she was getting into when she opened her Kingdom Worker Card at Move last summer. The challenge inside could have been almost anything. Prepared to follow through, I can still remember the shock on her face when it said "Commit to being healthier. Train and run a marathon before next summer." Wow.
As soon as she got home she found a running partner (Leslie, one of Jessie's sponsor's from Junior High) and began to train. Two weeks ago, with her goal in sight, Jessie hit a major setback. While running twenty miles she suffered a stress fracture in one of her feet. Her foot went in a bedazzeled boot (her sister couldn't let her walk in a boot without some style) and she had to take a break from running. Two weeks without hitting the road. But that didn't stop her, she took to the pool to keep up her training!
This morning at 7am she laced up her running shoes and ran. With her partner Leslie at her side she ran 26.2 miles and finished her marathon! With friends and family cheering her on along the way, Jessie completed something very few people even attempt.
When people are called by God they are often tempted to negotiate. She could have settled for a 5k and most people would have probably let her off the hook. Most people would have understood is she only ran a mini since her short stride is about half that of her training partner's. But she didn't negotiate. She trusted God. I couldn't stop thinking about this verse as I watched her cross the finish line,
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. -2 Timothy 4:7
Way to go Jessie! We are proud of you. You did it!
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