“Keep Pressing Forward”
Today’s Purpose with Perspective post is written by my guest, and dear friend, Stephanie Durham. Stephanie is a local speech language pathologist with a heart filled with love for others. Stephanie enjoys journaling God’s Word and shares a passion for writing. She launched a beautiful blog, “Grace and a Ponytail,” revealing God’s redemptive story throughout her own life. When she’s not working alongside patients or tenderly caring for her family, you can find her hitting the pavement for a quick run to regain perspective….
My legs were burning, feet cramping up, and my lungs were on fire. I felt as though I could not go another step. The finish line was only a couple of miles away, but I wanted to flat out QUIT. Runners sped past me and I felt completely drained and weak. Years ago, I enjoyed running long distance races and did quite a few half marathons and one marathon. However, a few miles from the finish line, this same scenario played out every race. My husband, Matt, knew this and expected the same phone call each time I hit that wall. The conversation went something like this:
Me: “I can’t go any further. I am so tired and weary. I want to quit.”
Matt: “Yes you can. You have trained for this. Just talk to me and I’ll help you cross that finish line.”
And I did. I crossed the finish line each time with Matt’s voice speaking truth and encouragement in each painful step.
The year 2020 was the toughest of my career. As an essential healthcare worker in a hospital, I felt like I was running a marathon each day. I was weary, tired, and felt deep compassion for each of my patients. Each time I entered a COVID floor, fear crept in. Anxiety slowly arose as I pulled the disposable gown on, pulled my hair back into a cap, put a face shield on, and snapped a pair of gloves onto my hands. My fear would quickly melt into compassion when I entered the patient’s room. The fear in their eyes was real and they longed for some hope. They needed to see and feel the presence of Jesus in that room.
At the end of a long day, I was faced with fear once again when I returned home. Questions flooded my head. The biggest question included, “Will I bring this disease home to my family?”. Fear and anxiety alone made me weary and exhausted. We were stuck at home and when I left home, I was going into a place overcome with illness amid a pandemic. When I felt like I hit a wall and could not go any further, a voice inside me said, “Yes, you can. I’ll help you cross that finish line.” As I turned my eyes to Jesus in the middle of a raging pandemic, I felt hope. My steps were filled with more purpose. My focus was renewed and instead of focusing on my own pain, I was able to show my patients the love of Christ they so desperately needed.
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
We all have our own race to run. Looking back, I see God guiding me through each mile of that marathon of a year. He placed people in my life to cheer me on, encourage me, and remind me that I am not alone. Be a cheerleader for those going through a marathon of a season in life. And if you, my friend, are on mile 20 of a grueling race, keep the faith and keep going. We trained for this. Our precious Savior will walk with us…
Through each painful step
Through each tear we cry
Through each struggle
Through each time we just want to QUIT.
When everything hurts and the finish line seems so far away, keep running that race. Turn your eyes upon Jesus for there is freedom and healing.
Stephanie has been happily married to Matt for 12 years and is the mother to 2 precious red-headed boys, Luke(8) and Carson(5).
