Running and bragging

Today was my second half marathon (13.1 miles).  This first was 2 years ago in Augusta.  Back then I had 3 basic goals: finish, don't walk, finish under 2 hours.  I managed 2 out of 3, finishing in 1:58:13 after having to walk a little due to cramps in my legs.

This year I was running in Athens and was very excited about the finish because we would get to do a lap around Sanford Stadium next to the hedges.  Not on the field, but still pretty cool.  Early on in my training I set a time goal of 1:45.  I was doing great in my training until the weekend of the Tennessee game - about 1 month before the race.  That weekend I missed the longest training run.  Following that week things got crazy at work and then we seemed to all get sick here and I wasn't able to do much training.  I probably ran 3 times in the last month.  I figured my time goal was shot and I would just be happy to finish.

Apparently God had other plans. At least that is the only way I know how to explain what happened.  I knew going in that I would need God's help after not being able to finish the training.  I hated the idea that I would not be able to perform well, especially considering Ecclesiastes 9:10: "Whatever your hand finds to do, #do it with [all] your might".  Since I hadn't trained, I thought this might be a good chance to see God provide the strength I didn't have.
He absolutely came through!  I felt awesome pretty much the whole race.  I had cramping issues again in the last few miles and had to walk more than I liked, but I still managed to finish in 1:42:49!

Now for the bragging part...
This morning I looked at my Bible app on my phone and saw that today's verse was 1 Timothy 4:8: "for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come".  
Right now, Samantha and I are helping at our church by serving as teachers in the 4 year old class every other week.  This week was our week, so the plan was to run the 1/2, shower, and head to church to teach. The verse fit my day perfectly and I love when God does makes things so clear.
As I checked the kids in, one of the ladies told me "I LOVE your son".  Not a big surprise, we get that a lot. But she went on to tell me that he is "all boy" but that he is "spiritually sensitive in a way that is uncommon, especially at his age".  She said "he gets it".  I'm not sure I could have been more proud of him.  We do try to  teach him as much as we can about God's love for us and how that should affect how we live, you know, like Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.". 
BUT, we are so scattered and don't always do a good job of keeping that focus in our hectic lives.  This is definitely God working in Mac through our weaknesses.  
2 Corinthians 11:30 is the only reason I am bragging about any of this "If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness".
More pictures and less words next time.