A Timely Word

I love the power of a word of encouragement. It builds you up, encourages you and strengthens your resolve. I remember when I was in 5th grade and I played flag football and I caught a long touchdown pass (my only one for the year), my dad said "You looked fast, like Neil Anderson of the Bears." That was about the greatest compliment he could possibly say to me that day. It was a very impressionable comment. It was a word of encouragement.

I've started riding my bike again this summer. And it's been a long time since I've ridden recreationally. I loved cycling when I was in high school and college (and obviously all over the neighborhood as a grade schooler just like most boys that age.) I've also had the privilege of riding my bike around the country. When I was a Junior in high school, my dad took me on a spring break trip to Alabama and I got to ride all over the rolling hills during the week. After my Senior year in high school, I went on a missions trip to California, and one of our stops on the way out was in Veil, Colorado and I got to see the competitors of a national downhill meet. Once we got to California, I rode my bike all over Huntington Beach and then around Big Sur in the northern part of the state. As college rolled on, biking went from a hobby of interest to a means of cheap transportation. I lost part of my enthusiasm for cycling however because it was a now a requirement.

Right before I got married, I bought a nice canary yellow Cannondale M500 mountain bike. It's actually the 3rd one I've owned after starting out with a Specialized. Ol' yeller has been a trusty mate and I've now had her over 10 years. I'd love to upgrade my mountain bike, but I'd rather save up for a road bike once we move to Africa.

My wife has been such an advocate for me. She's cheered me on, and encouraged me every step of the way this summer. I've started riding again for a purpose: to get in shape and to stay in shape. After the purpose was established, a passion started to rise out of my heart. I love cycling. I love pulling on my jersey and cycling shorts and strapping on my shoes and pulling on my gloves. I love plugging in to my iPhone and turning on my Cyclometer app, pushing play on a good podcast (I don't listen to music) and clicking into the pedals. Off I go.

40 miles of solitude last Saturday

Has this been the easiest thing to pick up again? No way. Has it been hard and exhausting on some days. Sure, but it's been worth it. A good friend told me recently that "pain is optional. I like that, but "no pain, no gain." I now ride for a purpose, but I also ride for a passion. A passion to train well and eventually fulfill a new found dream, to ride in the Momentum 94.7 (km) Cycling Challenge in Johannesburg, South Africa on November 17th. Can I ride 60+ straight miles as of right now? No. Am I passionately pursuing it? Yes.

One of the things that keeps me going is a word of encouragement. Last Saturday I rode 41 miles. I know lots of people can ride 50-100 miles at a time, but for me, my goal on Saturday was to ride a solid 40. Did it take me almost 3 hours and did I want to quit several times? Yes. Did my wife send me several texts along the way asking how I was doing? Yes. Did it encourage me? Absolutely. A timely word of encouragement.

One of my favorite training routes during the week is to take a dirt path that circles the sports complex at EIU. At this time of year, there's always cross country athletes running on the same gravel path or at least several high school band camps in session out on the fields. There's lots of people and activities to watch to pass the time. Recently there was a group of about 15 high school boys running on the same path. We passed each other going the opposite direction and about 100 yards behind the lead group was a straggler. A boy that wasn't as fit as the other boys and was obviously struggling in the summer heat. When I saw him, the Lord spoke to me and said "encourage him." As we passed, I simply said "keep going." About 10 minutes later, as I circled around the path, I passed the same group again, and around the next bend, I saw the same boy, now walking. He had stopped running. He was spent. He was tired. He was dehydrated and his head was hanging as he walked. After about 5 seconds, he happened to glance up and he saw me approaching and our eyes met and something really cool happened. He started running again! He remembered my word of encouragement. It took every ounce of energy for him to run and I saw the pain on his face, but he was going for it. As I passed him, once again I said "keep going." It gave him strength and an extra ounce of energy to try again. A timely word of encouragement. It also gave me strength to keep going because I couldn't let him down. A new purpose.

Don't we all need that in life? A word of encouragement from a friend, a spouse, a relative. "Keep going." Don't faint. Don't give up. Take another breath. One foot in front of another. Start running again. Life pulls us down. "Keep going."

I'm so thankful for the words of encouragement from my friends and family and especially from my God: "Kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24 NLT. We need those often. And these words are good for our body and soul. 

My God comforts. He encourages. He strengthens. A word of encouragement. So, what can I say to you?...

"Keep going."