THE FRIENDS STAND -

another one of my favorite days cabbing to my favorite place. 

church. 

i passed a marathon and something caught my eye. 

not the banners. not the barricades. not the fancy brocade of a vest the police were wearing. 

oh, it was what i'd affectionately call: the friends stand. 

all along the way, the long treacherous route were clusters of people. 

holding clappers and cheering the runners on. 

oh wow, i thought. it was only 10 mins shy of 730am and they looked like the dawn of day. 

waving enthusiastically, they clapped, cheered, whistled, reassured, encouraged. 

all for one motive - so that the participants will never give up. 

i call them the friends stand for one reason. 

they remind me of the friends i have. 

love that. 

there are times i stumble and fall, but they are there to pick me up. to see that i press on. 

there are times a fleeting thought throws me off guard and when i contemplate throwing in the towel, they remind me the reason why i'm doing what i'm doing.

and i couldn't ask for more. 

not just them but i see Jesus cheering me on, in the stands. 

the firm, strong yet tender look in His eyes that tells me everything's gonna be alright. 

i am super blessed because of my Savior's love for me. the love of my family & friends. 

xoxo