Article May 10, 1999 Issue

Run the race with God, finish with joy

You can heal grief.

By Linda Gibson Saylor

Our community was recently shocked and saddened by the tragic death of a teenager in an automobile accident. He was a fine young man, a super athlete and scholar, and a friend to my son. As I struggled to come to terms with this event, I was also praying to know that this young man's family would have the comfort they needed in the days ahead.

The boy's family was very much in my thought as I prepared to run in a Fourth of July race. One thing I really enjoy about running is the time it gives me to think without distractions. The morning of the race I decided to see more clearly that my power came from God—to see that just as a reflection has no ability independent of the original, so all my strength, endurance, and energy reflect God's power.

The race began, and I soon settled into my position behind all the other runners where it was nice and quiet. I was enjoying my run on that beautiful summer morning as I considered my oneness with the Father, reflecting His power. I also thought of the boy's mother. I thought about how she, in a sense, also had a course to run. While my course was 3.5 miles through a picturesque mountain town, the course before her was dealing with the loss of her son. And just as I was relying on God's power to finish my race, I realized that the strength to finish her course would also come directly from God.

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