“Run Rocky Run” I yelled out – like the Forest Gump line modified for this half marathon and 5K fun run. I thought with the fun of last week and the feeling of making a difference last week at the full marathon, this again was the perfect job for an encourager – and cool too…  The Rocky steps – the hustle and bustle – and the lightest of traffic at the early hour said to my gut – not so bad! and wow – the chance parking spot was so perfect – yeah I had like less than a half mile to walk, I could even hear the loudspeakers… this time I was not the volunteer doing water – I just never got a chance to sign up for this – but felt that ability to be there for the cheers – so I grabbed my foamboard and said: “why not?!”…

I would walk a 5 K sure, but why anyone would want to run 13 plus miles or run any miles is beyond me – but I understand these folks have goals and hopes and the gumption to do it – and after the running there was the walking in of the stragglers – OH, what a perfect place to cheer – like a reverse parade where the runners are looking at you!  and the sign I made? “GOD LOVES YOU” – yeah! – held above my Rocky sign was purposeful “God loves you” – and even though I needed no acknowledgement of the sign – I did need (and get that Holy Spirit whisper) of “yeah – this is the best place for you right now” – “you have nothing better to do right now” – so this is a good morning activity in beautiful brilliant sunshine. and yes I did bring my gloves…

I wanted to do sticky letters but the sharpies there were perfect and I wrote it up. The Rocky Run Rocky sign provided at the big tent-city event was a nice addition –  gobs of spectators at the 5K finish dissipated and now was actually quieter as the majority of the now 13.1 mile folks were hauling it in. I stood about a half mile from the finish – and just before the area where they would have lots of cheers – but this area was quieter – one or two cowbells – and the runners had time to read the simple sign with a sigh – and a few of us encouragers who just felt THIS was our mission for the morning were in this spot – the almost home position – and yeah…

After a few smiles – I got a few hands to the sky – a few “YES HE DOES” – and a few “AND HE LOVES YOU TOO!” – sometimes I thought – well time to wrap this up – or need to sit down – so I saw a concrete barrier to rest on for few minutes – next time I am bringing my chair – and then back up to the side of the race – and more smiles and thank yous and even a couple photos !!!! “BEST SIGN ALL DAY” a few yelled – and these ladies who were cheering behind me decided to walk over and ask: “The people love your sign – what is on it?” – then the “OH!” when they read it – “GOD LOVES YOU” – classic and true and not hidden… 

How often we are not in the moment – to know there is a race going on – in everyone’s lives – how often we should just stop to breath ourselves by bringing it to others and give them the leap up. 

Again – their marathon race is not my race – ON THE TRACK – but the RACE OF LIFE? YEAH – that is my race too – our race – and yours too. We are all needing to be encouragers where we are “on pace” with the needs…

People need to know: GOD LOVES YOU!

Amen