For several months Adam has been growing out his hair and beard to raise awareness for World Vision which had a team of 1600 runners in today's marathon. The focus of the money raised is for clean water in Africa, a continent close to Adam's heart. When seeing his beard people probably thought of Forrest Gump or the Unabomber. During this process he acquired the nickname of the Bearded Dragon. Someone screen-printed an Under Armour shirt with his picture and his new name on it.
Armed with his iPhone and headset, Adam was able to talk (if you could call it that at the 20-mile marker) with us. Encouraging him via Skype was the next best thing to being there, and we were able to talk him through the last few miles. As he drew near to the finish line he hollered at us, "800 meters," then "600 meters," then "300 meters," "200 meters," then, "Done!" What a rush to "be" there when he finished.
Today's race reminds us of the verse in Hebrews 12:1b-2 (ESV), ". . . let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Adam, you finished the race today. Congratulations! We're so proud of you! We're also confident you will finish the most important race of your life~the one of faith in Christ.
(By the way, now that the race is over, the beard is going bye-bye~this mother is very happy!)
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