Something I recently learned has come from watching cross country. My daughter started competing in the sport for the first time, and it’s been amazing to see the gifts God has given some of these teens to be able to run with such speed and just awesome talent.

The thing I have really come to love is watching the runners at the back of the pack—the ones who have to struggle and fight and overcome so many obstacles just to be out there to run. They fight just to finish as their teammates cheer them on. They are the ones who put me in awe and make my heart burst with pride.

Cross country is not an easy sport, but life is not easy either. There are times when we will struggle and have obstacles to overcome, but God wants us to run the race knowing it is going to be tough and to prepare ourselves for those obstacles so that we will stay in the race. Often, I pray for an easy road, but maybe I should be praying for obstacles! Because often that's what draws me closer to God.

The race is hard and long, but the finish line is in sight and God is there cheering us on. Only a little farther. Push a little harder, keep your pace, keep your head up. You can do it! As running legend Steve Prefontaine said, “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.”