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Thankful

We have a very precise Thanksgiving tradition in our family – Nancy cooks; I eat. In fact I have already finished my first sweet potato pie, and it is only 10:30 AM. Nancy watches the parades, and I, well, don’t really do anything – until this year. I decided to run in a 5K this morning that benefits the local rescue mission in Roanoke.

I woke up today to an exceptional morning. It was supposed to be overcast and raining, but instead the sun is shining brightly and the temperature is already in the upper 60’s. It is a beautiful fall morning. I initially guessed that the race crowd would be small with the forecast of rain. Instead, there were 3200 runners and walkers in only the 2nd annual drumstick dash.

As we waited for the start of the race I was mildly apprehensive. My running and training have been minimal lately. I knew that I would turn into a competitive freak once the gun sounded, and my body would not be able to do what my mind would suggest. I successfully completed the 5K with my worst race time ever (24 mins.), but somehow it didn’t matter today.

For the first time that I can remember in a race, I didn’t care about my time. My mind and heart were truly thankful. I thought about the rescue mission, and the faces of the people I see at the mission. I was overwhelmed with thoughts of how incredibly blessed I am. God has blessed me with incomparable friends and family. He sent His one and only Son for me. What more could I possibly want or need?

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Ps. 118:1

Today, I am thankful. Tomorrow, I think I’ll get back to training and running.

Comments

KS Spencer said…
Thanks Scotty! I am glad you had a great time! I sure did.

Can you believe the weather? and 3000 people?

Wow!
November 23, 2007 at 4:24 AM
James said…
Wow,

Finally, I think I can beat you!

I need a race to get me going again.

'Bout time for the Polar Bear here.
November 25, 2007 at 9:04 PM
21k said…
The race was a fantastic event. James, you could easily take me these days.
November 26, 2007 at 9:05 AM
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