Me and 39,999 Others

So Sunday was a first for me - my first 5K walk. I joined a friend in the Race for the Cure and we walked approximately 3 miles through some of the nicest parts of my city. I'll confess. Other than one friend at work, my life has been relatively untouched by this disease. I did not raise one single penny for the cause; they'll have to be happy with my registration fee this year. My motives were entirely selfish; things didn't work out to get together with my mom and siser on Sunday, my husband was out of town and as a "non-mom" I was hoping to avoid the sometimes depressing thoughts that can be overwhelming on a day set aside to honor moms. I wasn't prepared for the blessings that would be mine.

First of all, it was so sweet to see all the survivors sporting their pink ball caps and t-shirts, and walking hand-in-hand with grateful husbands and daughters. It was equally moving to see husbands, sisters and daughters walking in memory of loved ones who lost their fight.

But more than that, it was amazing to watch forty thousand people moving as one through the city. Once I managed to quell my fear of becoming lost in that massive throng, it hit me - these people are walking for a cure that is at best temporary. I couldn't help thinking how much more I have in Christ and am I willing to share that? It would be thrilling to see forty thousand Christians mobilized in the streets of Pittsburgh - yes, but then I am reminded that the "Walk/Race" is really just the celebration. The victories, the healings, the bearing through months of illness - those happened just one person at a time. And so it is with Christ - it is he who changes lives, one life at a time. But am I celebrating that in a way that others will want to join me on the walk?