Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/heb.12.1-2.ESV
My silence was like a cocoon where the Light of God’s Presence illuminated my wounded heart and needed healing. Jesus, in His grace, mercy, unfailing love, and faithfulness, gave me new hope and revealed what I believed I had lost forever: the person He created me to be.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
1 Chronicles 16:34 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/1ch.16.34.ESV
Watching the kids set out to practice for cross country, I admired their integrity and perseverance. No one bragged about speed or left a teammate behind when injured. One of the kids made the top ten at our first meet; she was like an eagle soaring. I saw the part of me set free from the sin that hindered me from the race set before me. I watched another come in almost last; I couldn’t see her for a while and was beginning to worry about her. She seemed to disappear, but suddenly, I saw strangers from other teams running up the hill, cheering. When I saw her reappear, I was overwhelmed with joy. As a cloud of witnesses surrounded me, she persevered and crossed the finish line. Afterward, I walked over to her, and as she was nursing her wounds from falling, I asked her how she felt. She smiled and said, I did it! I told her she was the winner because she didn’t let discouragement defeat her. Another did give up because she was overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. I remembered how my anxious parts hindered me; sometimes, they still do. However, instead of shaming her, I helped her calm her storm with the tools given to me and redirected her to cheer her teammates on as they approached the finish line.
Before the team set out, I saw discouragement and fear in them. I, too, experience occasionally, but not as often as before. Still, I told them to run tempo and have fun. There were so many opportunities to quit, and they had good reason. I, as the head coach, could have disqualified them for logical reasons, but I did not because God had many opportunities to disqualify me years ago, but He did not.
Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for 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.
Isaiah 40:27-31 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/isa.40.27-31.ESV
I was disqualified for this position; I had no experience in cross-country coaching, nor am I a qualified runner, at least not cross-country. I only volunteered because the program would be canceled without a coach. When I read the email asking for volunteers, my spirit was troubled at the thought of the kids losing this opportunity. I struggled a bit because that’s what I do, and I am a grandma! Finally, I mustered the courage to walk into the athletic director’s office and told him I would help until they found a coach. When I left the office, I prayed that the Lord would send someone qualified and that He would choose a coach to bless the children.
Two days later, the director called me into his office; I thought he would thank me for being willing and that they had found a coach. However, when I walked in, he and the secretary were smiling, and he said, “Hey, Coach!” All I said was, “Yikes!” I sat down to catch my breath; I’m sure they saw my fear, but they did not automatically disqualify me. Instead, they encouraged me, and other coaches, teachers, and co-workers offered to help me with their talents and advice. The superintendent even gave me a bike, and yes, I had a Lucille Ball moment when I went rolling down a hill; that was scary! I covet any help I can get. I drove home laughing out loud and said, Lord, You have a great sense of humor, and since You chose me for this task, Lord, I humbly position myself into Your care and guidance. Be exalted in everything I do. I want to bring You glory.
I had every logical reason not to do this, and they had every good reason not to give me this opportunity. I was an emotional trainwreck, underqualified, and too old. The kids call me Coach G, which is short for Coach Granny! I light up when I talk about the kids to the director, who laughs and says, “You love what you are doing!” Yes, I had no idea what the Lord would do in my darkest hours, and I almost gave up, but like those whom the Lord sent, they redirected me to help others and cheer them on as they approached their finish line rather than in this world, or as they transition into the kingdom of God. I thank God for allowing me to walk my mother to her finish line with a tender heart toward her and thanking her for doing the best she could. I praise God for opportunities as I work with students, encouraging them to press on and witness them persevere. I am blessed to tears as I watch them run to their finish line, such as overcoming their false beliefs that they can’t write an essay or complete an assignment in time, yet they do, and hearing them say, “I did it, I did it! Every day, I experience God’s hand moving as a beacon of hope when everything seems logically against them, yet they overcome. We have so much to pour out, and it’s never ours to withhold because every good gift is from above. And yes, every child I work with teaches me new lessons daily, and I, too, celebrate my victories according to the goodness of God’s grace and mercy; He redeemed me. You will soar on wings like eagles in different areas; don’t quit; no one is greater or inferior. We are all linked to God’s divine purpose for our lives, a blessing far more significant than our minds can imagine. Meet the new me, Coach Granny!
