Its not about the medal, its about the time

Its not about the medal, its about the time

I was no different than most little girls.  I dreamed of the knight riding up to my window on a white horse, coming to get me for my “happily ever after.”  I had dreams that soon became far from reality as I matured and realized those things only happened in fairy tales.  I got my knight, but he certainly didnt ride a white stallion, he actually drove a Geo Tracker!  My goals and dreams changed as I arew up.  I’d always dreamed of running a marathon…then I ran a 1/2 marathon and that dream and goal was scratched off the list.  There was NO way I was going to be able to run a 1/2 marathon TWICE.

Fast forward eight years to the weekend EXACTLY…

I just completed one of my “fairy tale” dreams.  Believe me, there was nothing romantic or beautiful about this accomplishment.  It came with literal blood, sweat, and tears!  Some run their races for the medal; some run their races for time.  I ran my race for time.

Stop, start, reset, Im not talking about a stop watiich digital time.  My time had NOTHING to do with this race or any of the races leading up to our marathon.  The TIME Im referring to is time spent in relationship with friends in conversation, the time that stands still.  

Don’t get me wrong, there was a time and place for the clock.  4:40 am rolled around much sooner than I would like most mornings.  The dark quiet time of day that we rolled out of our warm cozy beds to temps in the 20’s to run 6+ miles before most of the base was awake…yes the number on the clock was important.  The time I overslept and my friends came anyway.  The time we slowed down when I could barely walk through knee pain.  The time the 
ambulance sirens went off just as we were running past.  The time when we held hands and crossed the finish line, together, and all cried, together! Those are the TIMES I remember.  I don’t remember the number on my watch, the seconds or minutes that account for a PR.

The PR’s I love are the PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS I have with two women.  The medal I wear proudly isn’t made of silver and engraved, its made of moments when we laughed and cried (and almost peed our pants together).  I wear that medal of honor around my heart proudly.  My time matters and Im so glad that I chose to spend my time with them.

The times my kids watched me wake up early and go, even when I didn’t want to.  The times my friends and family encouraged me, texted me, called me.  The time my husband gave up sleeping in, staying up late to watch a movie, and even help me heal from injury.  Its those times I remember.  I love my time with those I love.  Proverbs 16:9 says “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”  Though I gave up my goal of a marathon years ago, God still had that in my time here.  Im so grateful that His plan is better than mine.   The Bible tells us  “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as the mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” Matthew 17:20  Im so grateful that the Lord placed people in my life who helped the impossible be possible.

Friends, let your time be spent doing good “Be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.” Chronicles 15:7  My reward isn’t the Tiffany necklace or the medals Ive received for running…my rewards are the relationships, my time.

Friends, “Whatever you do, do well.” Ecclesiastes 9:10  “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3  Whatever you choose to do, make sure you’re not doing it for the medal and honor, but for the time!

They said “lets do it, it will be fun.”  You know what, they were right!