You run your mom race. And I’ll run mine.
Because depending on the day, our events may be totally different. Different distances. Different numbers. Different jerseys. Different schedules.
Sometimes we’re in the same heat (or same mothering season). But even then, competition shouldn’t get in the way. We just need to stay in our lane, doing our personal best, and silently cheer our fellow runners on. Because we don’t want to distract or cause another mom to trip up – because that’d be major embarrassing, for all of us.
(And if at this point you’re feeling kind of confused by all this track-ish jargon or you’re not really into running or anything remotely related to running, please forgive the analogy and bear with me.)
Sometimes our races look more like sunrise and sunset. Similar colors, but completely different starting times. We’ve got moms with littles and moms of tweens. We’ve got biggie-sized families and itty-bitty ones too. We’ve got families with special needs and those with special diets. We’ve got single moms, working moms, homeschool moms, adoptive moms, and missionary moms. We’ve got moms with nannies and moms with live-in grannies. You name it, we, The Masterpiece Mom family, are it. We are a glorious picture of the body of Christ in action.
That’s where the cheerleading part of friendship and community becomes so important. We can’t let our differences get in the way. We need to be there for each other, whispering words of grace and assurance, letting our fellow mom know we’ve got her back. “Way to go, mom! You can do this! You’re rockin’ this race! And BTW, we love your hot pink running shoes!”
(Psst. If you need a practical suggestion, coffee cards and notes/texts/emails of encouragement are great fuel to keep a tired mama going. Just sayin’.)
And since we serve a creative God, we’ve all got different running gear – various gifts and talents that make us unique. You’ve got killer skillz and I’ve got some great ones too. We all have our things we are stellar at, if we only have eyes to see them. Just sometimes we need a little extra reinforcement; a good friend to come alongside and help illuminate our passions and point out our strengths. Because let’s be honest, sometimes we’re blind to our own abilities.
“…And let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…”
So jump into the race, mom. Don’t just sit there on the sidelines wishing you were out there on the track with the rest of us.
We need each other. We were made to run together.
Now if you do find yourself in a season of sitting on the sidelines, take a breather and cheer the rest of us on while you recuperate. We all need time to refresh and regroup. So hydrate well with that Living Water and fill your mouth, heart, and soul with God’s Word. It’s the best energy drink ever made.
So I’ll bring my best. And you bring yours too. And together we’ll offer up our gifts and efforts and words and actions to the One who made us.
Let’s show our children that we are confident mamas living our lives well for the glory of the Father. Living out our callings and doing those things that make our souls come alive. For His fame and for His glory.
So let’s run, ladies. And run with a purpose.
You ready? Let’s go!
Anne-Renee Gumley
Latest posts by Anne-Renee Gumley (see all)
- You Run Your Race and I’ll Run Mine - June 4, 2022
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