It was last Wednesday morning when I heard the faint whisper
saying, “Well done.” It happened in the midst of making breakfast, packing
lunches, and taking a moment to stop in the quiet of the kitchen to sing “It Is
Well” by Bethel with my arms out wide, head back, and eyes closed. The words
came and went so quickly that I almost missed them, even wondered if I had
invented them in my own mind. But the tears that welled in my eyes told me
otherwise. I sat down to let the tears flow and wondered, “Why me? Why would
such words be spoken to me?”
Two days later I met with my Spiritual Director. Near the
end of our session I shared my experience with her. She listened as I wondered
why God would speak such words in my heart. I wondered if it was for running
the Dopey and completing it? Or maybe it was for being faithful in training for
28 weeks? Or maybe it was for using the voice I’d been given to speak, share,
and ask others to join and give and love? Or maybe it was for all of that, or
none of it? She wondered if it was just for me, not because of anything I had done, but just because? As I hopped in my car and embarked on my hour drive
home, I asked God why He would speak such words to me. Just after doing so, an
image came to mind, one that had God and Jesus speaking to me, and the Holy
Spirit dwelling in me. The “Well done,” was actually spoken amongst us all, and
in a crazy way, I was given the ears to hear it. I really can’t explain it
fully. It was a divinely sacred moment, one that I will not soon forget.
Although I know Mike and I had responded by moving forward to
the dream God placed in our hearts, following His lead, and doing what He gave
us to do, He was the One who pulled all the pieces together as He helped us
over the many miles, gave us stories to share from our lives and the
intersection of those lives with the life of the Ray family, and moved in the
hearts of 60+ people to accept an invitation to be part of something bigger
than themselves by giving resources so 2 families can live in new homes. He
also cared for our kids, provided transport to/from the airport, supplied
resources for us to travel and stay at Disney, equipped me with an amazing
trainer who helped me stay on the road in a mostly pain-free state, surrounded
us with countless, I repeat countless, warriors who faithfully interceded to
the Lord for us and our dream. He brought family to Orlando to run with us,
cheer for us, care for our tired bodies, speak words of love, supply laughter,
and celebrate life’s milestones.
In light of all that, I can totally see why God would sit
down with Jesus, His Spirit, and myself, kick off the running shoes and have a
little “Well done” celebration. There was a lot of amazing goodness and grace
that happened over the course of many months, and especially that Dopey
Challenge weekend at Disney. For His Presence, Love, and Grace, I am eternally
grateful.
