So since we stand surrounded by all those who have gone before, an enormous cloud of witnesses, let us drop every extra weight, every sin that clings to us and slackens our pace, and let us run with endurance the long race set before us. (Hebrews 12:1 The VOICE)
Early on Thanksgiving morning, we were up and standing on the corner to cheer for our nephew Zander, a college freshman and our granddaughter Lily, a junior in high school run in the local Turkey Trot. The price of admissions: canned goods for the local food pantry. Our youngest granddaughters Anne-Sophie (7) and Marie-Helene, (4) rang cow bells while Lily’s mom and I cheered, clapped and took photos.
It was a rag-tag collection of runners, with members of a cross country team blasting past us followed by some serious runners. About mid-way in the pack were Lily and Zander, followed by joggers, and brining up the rear were assorted walkers with children and dogs in tow. We cheered them all on their way.
It struck me that it might be a tiny taste of heaven, people heading toward the finish line and the cloud of witnesses waiting, watching, cheering, clapping, and snapping photos of loved ones as they push on toward the finish line, running unencumbered, save the clothes on their backs.
Later we feasted on traditional dishes, made from recipes passed down by ones who have crossed the finish line before us, and who even now are cheering us on as we run our race.
For the witness and the hope, I give thanks. ~ Anne
Wayfinding 