Many times when we look at each other, unfortunately we make quick judgments based only on outward appearance. We don’t stop and think about what others have faced in their lives that have brought them to where they are now. We’ve all had others to make wrong assumptions about us based on various physical traits, and let’s face it . . . it hurts. I learned at a very early age what that feels like. I was born with a condition called severe bilateral talipes . . . more commonly known as severe clubbed feet (bilateral means both feet). At the time I was born, my parents were told that I may never be able to walk, much less RUN!! One of these days when I can figure out how to upload photos to my blog, I will save one that shows me in casts when I was a child. The photo shows me with a huge smile on my face. Obviously, as a baby, I had no idea that I was different from other children. It only took a few years for me to learn that though. I had several orthopedic surgeries and numerous follow-up doctor visits when I was younger, and the one thing I was always told was that I would never be able to run like other children, or that I should avoid activities that involved running. When you’re told over and over that you can’t do something, if you’re like me, you start to believe it after a while. I was always the slowest runner in my class, and quite honestly, I was embarrassed about it. I never really thought about running until recently when I got serious about fitness and weight loss. I heard of all these people who were not considered professional athletes who were running 5K races, so I wanted to try just to see if I could do it. If you haven’t figured this out by now, I’m the kind of person who will do everything in my power to prove to you that I CAN do something if you tell me I will never be able to do it! 😉 I downloaded a free couch to 5K app on my phone in late January, and I just ran my first 5K race a few weeks ago!! What’s more, I’m running my second race in a few weeks!!! Don’t tell ME that it can’t be done. With the right kind of daily training, it most certainly CAN be done!
Some of you may be interested in my title choice. The more I think about racing, the more it makes me think about life in general. Life is a journey . . . a race of sorts. There are things we have to stay dedicated to . . . relationships with spouses, children and other family members, household chores, job responsibilities, etc. As Christians, we also must remain dedicated to our walk with God. We will never be perfect as long as we remain on earth, but we must daily seek God’s face in every area of life and seek forgiveness when necessary. Hebrews 12:1-2 says this:
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Until next time, let’s keep on running!
P.S. I figured out how to upload the photo, so I added it to the top of this blog post. There is so much more that I will add to this story at a later time. For now, I’m heading out to the gym!!
This Race Called Life 
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