Mom Race 2015

God's Presence was heavy over the streets of Royal Oak this past Saturday morning.  Let me explain why...

Satan tried hard to get me to miss the Mom Race 2015. Unbeknownst to me, I was scheduled to work in my dental office and got the call as I was about to walk out the door. And my GPS almost had me lost, which would have made me late. Have you heard of Mom? It stands for Mind Over Matter and it's a group that supports education and awareness of mental health and suicide prevention. I had never heard of it before my friend told me she was getting a team together to walk/run in honor of her nephew who had taken his life a couple of years ago. I think this is the third year "Team Kindness" gathered on a Saturday morning. At first I was planning to walk, but for some reason (think: Holy Spirit) I decided to run instead.

Almost every person I know has been touched by suicide. We have had several attempts in my own family and it breaks my heart. As a parent I cannot think of anything worse in life than to have to endure the loss of a child, especially this way. I know you would agree with me.

I usually always run with music. I am the type of person who would use the excuse of having a dead battery in my music device to avoid exercise, especially running. When I met my friend's daughter at the start of the race I had every intention of running with her. That is, until I noticed a couple of things: First of all, she was running with her friend... and her dog. Did I ever tell you I am scared to death of most dogs? Secondly, I noticed she had headphones in place. If she is anything like me, she was probably hoping she could be in her own world, listening to her own music (which I 100% understand). She is a real runner. She actually ran over seven miles to get to the race!

Long story short, I quickly decided to run by myself. I had no headphones. I prayed the entire way, reading the many signs along the way that told very interesting facts about mental illness and suicide. Most suicides happen in the Spring, on beautiful sunny days like the Saturday of the race; days full of the beautiful smells and buds on the trees and new growth. And hope.

I prayed for specific people and their loved ones. I was surrounded by people who would probably rather sit alone inside of their homes in the fetal position. That's how I would be or would want to be, unless I got up off that floor and looked up to the Only One who could give me Hope; the One who counts our tears; who wants to wrap His arms around us; who gives comfort to the hurting and can give even a hint of healing.

Each one of those runners/walkers have a story. I admire them for getting up off of that floor, tying their shoes and experiencing the love that was on the 3.2 miles of Royal Oak, Michigan. By the Grace of God I am healthy and somehow finished first in my age group. I tell you this because I am shaking my head. I barely even remember running because I was so focused on Praying. God gets every single bit of credit because he showed up big-time!


"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." -Romans 8:37