To the Ré of yesterday.
Just thought I would update you on what’s going on.
One year ago today, you were in Los Angeles, California running the LA Marathon as your first fundraiser to go on the World Race. For 7.5 hours, you kept going. Those hours of pain, struggle, walking, blisters and, then, joy– all resulted in you crossing the finish line. You did something so physically challenging it scared you, but guess where you are today?
Today, I’m halfway through the World Race in Vlorë, Albania. Today, one year later, I’m fully funded. Today, one year later, an entirely different woman is running the Race and I want you, the girl who ran across that finish line, to know something very important– God really is good. He really is faithful. He didn’t leave you then. He hasn’t left me now. He has fought beside us all the way. Our ever-present help in time of need has conquered it all. He is the comforter who walks with us through it all. He doesn’t simply take away the pain because he knows what joy waits on the other side of the victory he has in store. I’m so glad to be serving him. See who you’ve become.
Guess what, Ré? You’re free. Free from the identity that held you by the throat. Free from those lies that seem too big to conquer for you where you are, but God knew we could conquer where I am. Free from a label. Free from addiction. Free from every expectation you had for yourself to be and do and do it all to perfection. You’re free. I’m free. We’re really free.
I wish you could have known then what I know now. You ran a race that had an end and a medal and a temporary joy. I get to run another Race toward the real prize– the eternal one with eternal reward and eternal joy. As each day I leave you behind, I pray the future us will continually pick up her cross each and every day. I pray she is fearless to continue becoming who God has called her to be and that she will only ever walk in His light. As He refines us, I’m sorry to leave you behind. It hurts, I know. But He has something better. Keep believing that.
Keep charging.
With love from Albania in 2019,
Ré
Please print this off & read it out loud to yourself frequently! Great! BTW. Don’t be sorry to leave the old self behind! ??
This is so beautiful!! Beautifully written- both by you and by God who wrote all the changes and growth into your story! Love you so much and can’t wait to hear what Month 11 Ré has to say (and all the other Rés in between)!
Halfway. Look at you & God HALFWAY. Girl. I can’t wait to see the whole Re when this part of your journey is complete…but. Keep going. Keep chasing down Jesus. And enjoy every ounce of every one of these moments you’re in. Can’t say it enough. So proud of you!