Saturday, October 15, 2011

I Run To Be...

That's the Nike Women's Marathon 2011 slogan. When you sign up, you fill in the blank. "I run to be...".

I run to be healed. This Sunday in San Francisco, CA, I am running the NWM 26.2 in honor and in memory of my wife who passed away 7 months ago after a long battle with breast cancer.  Her story on http://www.prayingrunner.com/2011/03/she-has-crossed-finish-line.html. This will be the third race I am running since her death. For as long as I can, I will run all my races in her memory.

I run to be nostalgic. This is a very meaningful race for me since this is one of the races my wife wanted to run. Unfortunately, when her cancer came back, she progressively became weaker. She had to stay in bed most of the time while I kept on running.  One day she was looking for me when I came back from a run. I told her that I went out to run and prayed for her.  She told me to keep on running and pray for other people as well.  This started the "Praying Runner." She will always be my inspiration of my ministry to run and pray for other people.

I run to be in the moment.  "What does it profit man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?" (Mark 8:36). Since my wife died, I am devoting my life to the three of the most important priorities in my life - my faith, my family, and my friends. Just like the way my wife lived her life, she never let a moment slip away without praying and showing how much she loved us. My 15-year old son shared to me his favorite quotation - "Yesterday's history, tomorrow's a mystery. Today? Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present." From Philippians 4:6,  "Don't worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done."

Running has kept me moving forward since my wife's death. Running lets me discover God's presence in my life. Running is my moment. And I share this moment with all runners, with my wife, family, and friends. This run is also for to all the people who request for prayers. You are in my heart and be rest assured of my prayers. I will keep running and praying for you.


Running NWM 26.2 holding a pink carnation in honor and in memory of my wife

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for sharing this today, I needed it! I always pray for you and your wife when I run and I ask her to help me run! It is a constant prayer request!
    God Bless

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