At one time or another in your life, and maybe that time is right now, you’ll feel flattened and despondent from what is being asked of you. In a season when I felt the same, I shared what I was going through with my friend, Alli. The crux of my agony and angst was this: I was plumb terrified to walk the road the Lord was asking me to walk. I didn’t want to do it — I didn’t know if I could do it.
Alli is one of those gals whom God uses to lift the Rockies right out of their mountain chain through her words and prayers. On this particular call, as I relayed the nitty gritty details of this particular situation, she offered me a treasure box by way of a story she had read that I have thought about no less than 837 times since she told it — a story about a woman named Pennie Shephard.
As a young teen, Pennie fell and broke her tailbone. And as a result of the accident, she suffered chronic pain well into her adult years. The pain she endured felt as if someone was stabbing her in the back, and she couldn’t even get out of bed in the morning without her husband’s help. To sleep through the night, she tried ice packs, heating pads, and other avenues to no avail. From sunup to sundown, life was agony, and Pennie felt overwhelmed and depressed.
Pennie’s doctor diagnosed her with post trauma arthritis and degenerative disc disease, and there was no cure outside of a miracle. So, not a day went by when Pennie didn’t pray for that miracle. One morning as she was praying, she heard these words in her heart: Run to your miracle. Pennie found this odd because any movement at all brought no small amount of pain. She’d never been a runner, and the thought of picking it up now terrified her.
Still, she vowed to do so and enter a race. Since a marathon seemed to be the race of all races, she committed to training for one. With her family’s support and doctor’s permission, Pennie pressed on and pushed through unimaginable suffering all while watching her diet and arising at 3am each day to get in a long run before her work and family responsibilities began. The training brought no relief from the pain, but Pennie . . . “was determined to pay the price of progress and to not give up.”
Shortly before the marathon, Pennie’s knee went out. The night before the race, she could barely walk. Still, she was bent on getting to the starting line, even if that meant someone would carry her there.
The next day, Pennie hobbled up to the starting line with Scripture passages written all over her arms and legs by her husband and daughters. As she stood at the starting line, she realized that while her knee hurt, her back didn’t hurt at all! Her doctor, who acted as her trainer, suggested they begin the race by walking to test out the knee. A mile and a half later, Pennie knew she could run the race. And she did — she crossed the finish line seven hours later.
In Pennie’s own words, “I did not receive my miracle at the finish line. I got my miracle at the starting line. All I had to do was show up. It doesn’t take running a marathon to get a miracle. In my case, it took obedience and commitment.”
On that phone call with me, Alli summed up the story with these words: “While we’re all called to finish the race God assigns each of us to run, the fascinating thing about Pennie’s story here is the gift God gave her in simple obedience. When we’re faithful to follow through on what God asks us to do, we may not even have to run the race before we receive the blessing. Stay faithful to prepare for this race, Kristen. Keep going and do not quit!”
Maybe like me you don’t want to run the race God is asking of you either. Your heart isn’t in it, let alone your entire body. I get it, I really do. But maybe we can just do the next thing to prepare for it anyway. Even if doing so feels like pushing a boulder up Pike’s Peak, we prepare just the same. Maybe you’ll be given the miracle before the race even starts. But if you aren’t, you’ll be prepared and set up for success just the same.
If life feels a little (or a lot) like agony right now, keep going. The pain is real. But it’s also the price of progress. Keep going.
Do not give up.
We can make it to the starting line — and to the finish line, too.
Leave a Comment
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Kristen,
I can so relate to this post. I’ve lived with chronic pain a good portion of my adult years. Some days it’s monumental just to be able to go up and down the stairs. But I have to say, I do not take the blessing of something as simple as being able to walk for granted. On good days when I can go on a fairly lengthy walk, I count it a victory. There is always some degree of pain, but I’m doing it. Life is kind of like that – there’s always some degree of physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual pain, but we keep putting one foot in front of the other and before we know it we’re making progress. God keeps coaxing us on. He doesn’t ask us to win the race, but simply to show up at the starting line (obedience), and ask for His strength to make it to the finish line where a glorious crown awaits those who believe. Beautiful!
Blessings,
Bev xo
Kristen Strong says
I couldn’t have said it any better, Bev. Thank you for being here, dear lady–the pain is easier to endure when we can walking alongside one another toward victory!
Agnes Eunice Florian says
Thank you I needed to hear this today!!
Kristen Strong says
I needed to hear it again myself, Agnes. So thankful to have you here in this community!
Ann Woleben says
Your thoughts came exactly when I needed them. Isn’t this the way of our God? He is so good! I trust that you and your family are not affected by the fires in Colorado. Prayers for all who are~
Kristen Strong says
You’re so kind to ask. We’re a few hours away from the fires, but our prayers are certainly with all the good people around Grand Lake, Estes Park, and other nearby areas. God sent an abundance of snow yesterday and today to the area, and for that I know we’re all so thankful!
DRMMJ says
Good Morning,
This devotional has been food for my soul. My pastor just ministered about God being the “super” and that I need to show up in the “natural” to create the supernatural in my life. I am not eager to run the race today but I will run. God will show up for me. Thank you
Kristen Strong says
Yes he will! And I love what your pastor shared–it’s a helpful way of framing our own circumstances we walk through. Thank you for sharing it with us, too.
Jo says
Today morning I prayed to God ” Lord should I really keep going or should I quit, this is so so hard ,have very less time to accomplish this task, it doesn’t come naturally to me, doesn’t look like ‘this is what you want me to do’, because I’m striving so hard and it seems impossible,should I quit??please guide me.” And this email from (in)courage is my first email. God still speaks and guides those who are committed to Him. I’m not quitting. Thank you and God bless you Kristen strong.
Kristen Strong says
You and I shall press on together, Jo!
Theresa Boedeker says
So much of life is training so we can show up. What an encouraging story.
Kristen Strong says
Amen, Theresa. Amen.
Sue says
Thanks for sharing this. Such an encouragement! God is working in my heart right now to trust HIM more everyday.
Kristen Strong says
He’s working on mine, too, Sue. Solidarity!
Irene says
Kristen, your story is so inspiring! Thank you! I am just trying to do something small right now. I am only trying to lose the weight I’ve gained during the pandemic. I only have about 8 more pounds to lose. But it’s so hard! But not as hard as prepping for and running a marathon. Wow! I can do this one small thing. And I’m going to look for something bigger. Something to help others.
Beth Williams says
Irene,
You & I both are trying to lose weight. We can surely do it if we put forth an effort & ask God to help us. Praying we can lose the weight & be healthy again. Right there with you.
Blessings 🙂
Kristen Strong says
Cheering you both on, ladies! We can do it!
Brenda M Russell says
Thank you for the story about Pennie. She did not give up once she felt God gave her an assignment. Although her pain was diagnosed and it was not just in her mind. Her pain was “real”, she still did not give up.
This is a confirmation for me. I have challenges with the symptoms and discomfort of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Yes, I am thankful to have medicine and medical professionals to advise me. My prayer is for healing and recovery from symptoms.
I am even more compassionate toward others in pain. I do believe that I will see my healing while I am young enough to enjoy moving about without symptoms and discomfort.
I won’t give up either. I will also set an example for my girls to see me remain prayerful and positive. God is my Heavenly Father and I am His daughter.
Kristen Strong says
I believe the same, Brenda. And I think that sometimes, part of the reason we have to go through pain in its different forms is because it does grow compassion in us. Pressing on alongside you, sister!
Arlena says
BEAUTIFUL
Kristen Strong says
Sending you lots of love, Arlena.
Beth Williams says
Kristen,
Someone once said “no pain no gain.” Paul likened life to running a race. He ran in such a way to win God’s approval. There have been many days I didn’t want to cope with life. My aging dad’s dementia/psych issues made life interesting to say the least. Never knowing when the phone would ring or what mood he’d be in. I felt God telling me to keep on caring for him the best I could. Being obedient to the end I took the best care possible. Going so far as to leave a good job for him. Life is about being obedient to God. Just show up, wait & listen for God. He will tell you what to do. You will get your miracle someday.
Blessings 🙂
Kristen Strong says
I love this, Beth. Your life is a beautiful testimony of faithfulness!
Becky Keife says
Kristen, you have become Alli to all of us, shepherding our hearts with a story that points us back to obeying God no matter the cost. Love you, friend. Thank you for these words.
Kristen Strong says
This blesses the livin’ daylights out of me, Becky. Thank you. You’re one amazing shepherdess yourself, beautiful lady!
Elizabeth says
Lovely, encouraging, full of hope – what a story. And what a tremendous woman, husband and family.
Thank you for sharing, Kristen
Elizabeth
Kristen Strong says
I know–I can’t get over Pennie or her story. So convicting + encouraging for our own stories. Thank you for being here, Elizabeth!
Michelle Ingram says
Thank you… just what I needed to hear…
Wemi Omotosho says
Wow. I needed this. Faithfulness and obedience. I’ll keep at it…one step at a time. What an encouraging post.