"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it."

1Corinthians 9:24

Last Saturday my husband and I cheered my son on as he ran at a very large cross country meet here in Northern California. It's the first meet my husband has been able to attend. As my son came around the bend, my husband's large booming voice echoed down the green encouraging our oldest boy. As soon as my son heard His Dad calling out to him, his quickened his cadence and took greater strides. I know my son likes it when I cheer for him, but this was different, it was Dad. There is something magical about the affirmation of a Father. Not everyone has a Dad, but yes they do! God can be that incredible Father figure to you. Something I know God has equipped me to do is stand on the side lines of other people's lives and encourage them on as they run their race. We don't always know what we are capable of doing, until someone else speaks it over us. I hope I can do this for you, too. Perhaps the following exhortation will fuel your soul.

Life...it's a marvelous journey and it is your God given path. Your body, the vehicle for your soul. You have your own road and God hand carved it for you. Some spots are paved smooth others are coarse dirt, but He hand designed your shoes. There is no one else like you. You know the trail, you know how to hold the lead position. You are not distracted or intimidated by the obstacles for you have the heart of a warrior, the strength of a lion, yet the tenderness of a child. There's no one else like you...that's why God hand picked you and gifted you to do everything you do! Originality through and through. ~Nicole