Faithful Love

My Marvelous Wife
Over the 12 years we've been married, I've had many reasons to marvel at my wife, Peggy.  However, never before have I been more touched and inspired.  Ever since she made the decision to run the L.A. Marathon to raise awareness and funds to acquire land and build a home for a family in Kenya, she has steadfastly and selflessly dedicated her life to that single cause.

Lots of Pain, What's the Gain?
Five days each week, she methodically puts on her gear and gets mentally prepared to train.  Deciding to run the marathon doesn't mean waking up one morning and signing up for the run.  Our bodies are not built to run that distance.  To run a marathon requires months of training, an alteration of diet, and perseverance through pain and injury.  Not a moment goes by where Peggy doesn't feel aches in her feet or legs.  Anybody who has run the marathon (or a similar distance) is familiar with the process and the sacrifices involved.  However, I dare say that most who choose to run find at least some satisfaction in running and finishing the race.

But what amazes me about Peggy is not what she's doing or even how she's doing it -- but rather the degree to which she submits to the why.  You see, Peggy is not a runner.  She never has been and never will be...at least not by her choice.  Growing up, her talents and interests drew her to flamenco dancing, not cross-country or track.  At the gym, she would get on the treadmill only while waiting for her Zumba class to start.

So Why Run?
Don't misunderstand what I'm saying; Peggy cares greatly for Muia and his family.  But, if that was the only reason, she could just as easily choose a shorter distance or seek other ways of raising money.  And, she could have quit when her ankle was fractured during training.  Running is so unnatural to Peggy that the purpose must transcend her.  In running the marathon, Peggy is exhibiting love that can only come from God -- a love that costs.  She's obediently living out what the apostle John taught:

This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life  for us.  We should also lay down our lives for our brothers.  If anyone has this world’s goods  and sees his brother in need  but closes his eyes  to his need—how can God’s love reside in him? Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action.  This is how we will know we belong to the truth  and will convince our conscience in His presence, even if our conscience condemns us, that God is greater than our conscience, and He knows all things.  (The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009). 1 Jn 3:16–20.)

What Then?
I marvel at Peggy's heart and her actions, but, most of all, I marvel at her faith.  In her actions, she has shown reliance on His strength to carry her through.  As I marvel, I'm challenged with the following questions:

1. Is there something that's unnatural (in my own strength) toward which God is calling me?
2. Am I exhibiting God's love in a way that's undeniable to those around me?
3. Am I showing his love in truth and action rather than just in word, speech and blogging?