Not long ago, I allowed my daughter to talk me into running a 5k race with her.  This may not seem like a long run for all you marathoners but since I hadn''t run in weeks, I sensed this would not be my best event.  My goal: To not be the last person across the finish line for my age group.  My husband decided to join in on the fun and we were off to the races!

The day for the run was great running weather.  Sunny, cool, and crisp outside.  We warmed up with all the other runners and the next thing I knew, the gun had gone off and the race began!  I did great the first half mile but then I started wondering why on earth I had agreed to get up before daybreak just to run on a Saturday morning when there were so many other wonderful things I could have been doing.  But I continued to run and as I did my mind went to things eternal and life lessons that seem to flow naturally when your legs are killing you and you need to think about something else.  So here are the lessons I learned that day while on the run.  They are lessons that will serve us well in this New Year:

1. Don''t look back - it can cause you to become discouraged if you''re last in the race or complacent if  you know you''re way out in front. 

2. Don''t assume the other runners have the same strategy you do - some may be planning to walk part of the way which may explain why they are running faster than you are.

3. There will be refreshments along the way - cool water to keep you going, but it is no where near as good as the refreshments waiting at the finish line!

4. Only one person may win a trophy - but everyone who crosses the finish line experiences personal victory.

5. There may be no one cheering your name along the way - when that happens, it''s important to know how to encourage yourself.

6. Remember the race is not only about you - sometimes you need to encourage others to keep going in their race.

7. Be sure to pay attention to those ahead of you in the race - you can learn from their successes and failures.

8. Doing the same thing gives you the same results - so learn from your mistakes.

9. Even when it''s a 5k season - life is still a marathon not a sprint so enjoy the race!

10. Stay focused - wherever you turn your eyes is where you will end up.  So be sure to end up where you were planning to go in the first place!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. "  (Hebrews 12:1)

Have a very Happy New Year!  2010 is going to be absolutely amazing!