There is more to a race than finishing first.
Just recently I watched a documentary of a group of intense
cyclists who raced across the country in the Trans America Bike Race. This
grueling and entirely solo venture has riders pushing their bodies to the limit
of their physical and psychological limits. The winner in 2015 travelled 4400
miles in just under 19 days, averaging 230miles (370kms) per day riding from
the Pacific coast of Oregon to the Atlantic Ocean in Virginia. They often bike
alone, right through the night, stopping only for minimal sleep and
nourishment. Just finishing that race is worthy of celebration regardless of
how long it takes. It is a truly amazing story that makes you stop and consider
what one can do when perseverance and dedication are applied to specific goals.
Our students are about to start up mileage club again in
preparation for our upcoming Track & Field day. This running initiative at
recess sees some students doing laps by choice around our back field at recess.
They stop in to get a paper “foot” punched to verify they have completed a lap.
Many have in mind to better their personal record of how many feet they gather
in the running blitz.
Perseverance and dedication. These two admirable and valued
character qualities are a requirement for running or biking, but even more so
for life. When those two qualities are matched with an intentional, worthwhile
purpose – like easing the burden of those around us, being a faithful presence,
an encouraging force, an agent of blessing by choice - then we truly have
travelled the road in the most excellent way. In doing so, we aim to “…use
whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s
grace.” (1 Peter 4:10)
How good it is that we can teach our children in this most
excellent way at LCES each day! May we seek the kingdom (Matthew 6:33) with perseverance,
dedication, and purpose in all we do and say SJ
this week.
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