Our daughter Madi has been running Cross Country this year. She loves running. She isn't much of a competitor but loves to be moving and going. We are a couple of weeks in to her first season. They run a mile at each of their races.
Race 1 went great. She had a wonderful time. She ran her mile in 8 minutes 26 seconds. 
Race 2 didn't go as planned. On the way there she talked about how she was going to beat her time. She was so excited. As Cross Country running goes, every mile is a different mile. This one would challenge Madi with two good hills to climb in her run. She got a time of 10:11. A good time for most of us but not what Madi wanted to see. This is the first time I saw my little girl cry because she was disappointed in herself. She hadn't let anyone down, except her own expectation. It was heartbreaking. I gave her a big hug and encouraging words coated with the sweetest sugar I could muster.
There are moments in all of our lives when we face disappointment and discouragement. There are days we don't run as well or live as well as we plan. On those days, we define who we are. Madi had set a goal and not accomplished it. What's next?
Our next practice, she was up and gave 100%. Not a complaint, not a mention of the race from two days before. She never once asked me if she could quit. She just kept going.
Race Day 3. A new day. A new race. She ran her mile in 7 minutes 13 seconds. She was leaping for joy after her race. Accomplished. Knowing that each new day, each new race is a new opportunity to prove that she can do it. We are so proud of her hard work. More then that, she has shown me a piece of who she is becoming. Madi is a person of determination. She will fight for the things she wants. She will have days of hardship and tears but she will keep going.
Lord, May I keep learning the lessons that can only be taught by my children.
1 comment:
Love this! Amazing what they do all on their own, yet it reflects so beautifully on the parenting you and Ted are doing too. Run Madi Run!
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