Happy 4th - A Run to Remember

(all images from wearblueruntoremember.org)

I never got a chance to share about the Seattle Rock n Roll Half Marathon that I ran a couple of weeks ago.  Well, it must be divine timing because today is the perfect day for me to share about it!

It was a great race and I felt awesome!  But beyond finish times, I saw one of the most moving things I've ever seen in my 6+ years of running.  It was a section of the course at about mile 7 that was lined with American flags, pictures of fallen soldiers and people wearing blue to honor those who have served us.  It almost brought me to tears and I know moved many others.  In fact I'm humbled again, just looking at these photos as I write this post.  There are no words to describe the sacrifices made by our service men and women.  These are real people with real families.

You can read more about the organization, Run To Remember, by clicking here.  It was started last year by a small group of military wives from Fort Lewis, WA.  Here's a quote from their website describing Lisa's story.

Lisa Hallett had given birth to her third child, her first daughter, just three weeks before men in uniform informed her that her husband had been killed in action. At the home she made with her husband in DuPont, WA, she was left with 3 small children and a grief that threatened to swallow her whole. Lisa, a runner, refused to give in to that grief and vowed to honor her husband by living life with passion. She took her first healing steps two days after John was killed. She found some peace in the life-affirming action of running. Several other wives began to join her. In February 2010, wear blue: run to remember was born.

So as we celebrate our nation's birthday today, let's take moment to lift up a prayer of protection, mercy and thankfulness for all who have served and who are currently serving in our military.  Most of us will never understand the full depth of their sacrifice AND the sacrifices of their families that allow us to enjoy the freedoms of living in one of the greatest and most beautiful places on earth.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 

1john 3:16