I have worked in Memory Care for many years. I started out in housekeeping. I believe in being playful with my residents, trying to bring a smile to their face. 

Many times I have come beside one of my residents in a wheelchair with my laundry cart and playfully say, "On your marks, Get set, Go!" Followed by those residents moving their feet rapidly and my running in place, all in good fun.

One day I came up along one of my residents, a 96 year old Norwegian woman. She with her walker and me with my laundry cart and I said, "On your marks, Get set, Go!"...I only expected a giggle from her, but the next thing I knew, she went running across the room. It wasn't a small room. You wouldn't believe my shock seeing this little old lady as she zipped across the room. I took off running after her, leaving my cart behind…yelling "No. Stop."


I didn't reach her til She came to a stop at the end of the room, the finish line. She finished the race and she ran it well.

Thinking of the events of this particular race makes me think of the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare. In life, do we just play it safe and do the bare minimum to get it done like the Hare. Or do we give it our all, trusting we can get things done, putting our best foot forward. I believe the tortoise knew God had his back and trusted God was in control.

How many times do we run the good race and give it our all? 

 

2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Galatians 5:7 - You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?

1 Corinthians 9:24 - Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

 

Will you follow the example of the tortoise or the hare...Giving it your best, taking the risk, or doing the bare minimum.