How beautiful on the mountains are the feet
of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Isaiah 52:7
As I enter the elevator, I stand next to her. The petite woman in the corner wearing blue running pants, identification tag around her neck with the words Olympic athlete dangling at her waist. She braces herself against the hand rail, looks down at her bloody, bare feet. And we notice she is holding her breathe in pain.
She just ran a marathon.
Not just any marathon.
Twenty six miles to qualify for the Olympics.
And those of us rising between floors in those few seconds in the elevator, we rejoice in the victory of the feet that carried her to this place. Ask her how she did in the race.
Through a slanted smile she admits she didn’t do her best. Rattles off her time in minutes, looks down shy.
So we ask if we can pray for her feet in those few seconds between floors, for the pain with the tight fisted hold to let go and she agrees. Exhales what translates relief for this gesture.
And in that small space huddled together quiet, before the door slides open, I embrace her arm gentle and we invite the presence of God. Ask him to heal her feet, provide comfort.
When the door slides open on her floor she thanks us, hobbles off the elevator slow. And I think about the beauty of those bloody feet in the elevator.
How they remind me of Jesus feet hanging on the cross for me and you. That life sometimes feels like a marathon too long to conquer. And when we think we can’t go on, take another step, He meets at just the right time, provides all we need for the journey.
Even on an elevator among strangers.
Wherever your weekend plans take you friends; may you declare the glory of Christ every step of the way.
Watched them begin both races this morning and asked the Lord to give each one strength and endurance. Thanks for the blog.
I watched them from the 18th floor with my camera. Such endurance to run that long!
This is an absolutely beautiful story!! I love your boldness of faith to be able to ask a stranger if you can pray with them!
Sometimes the courage comes along with the support of your friends beside you . . .and she was so open. It was a beautiful moment.
This is just one more reason that I love the AMIA conference.
Missed you Jennifer. I agree, it gives us hope and courage and settles us back to the core of focus on Jesus. I love this family of believers committed to doing mission together around the world!
Once I wanted to stop running, but He met me just as you said. Since that time He’s been my running partner. He sets the pace. We’re going to make the finish line 🙂
So glad you didn’t give up Dea, because His glory radiates through you as you run the race.
Love the photo. And thankful for His endurance!
What a powerful moment. Brings tears to my weary eyes. There was such grace in that moment.
The image of her feet spoke volumes. Thank you for being you and sharing yourself so deeply.
Love you, Anne
Anne, so thankful God is with us at all times. He carries us when we are weary, He carries you now. Love you sweet friend.
Shelly this is beautiful. Thank you for sharing this. God bless you today as you worship.
K
Thank you for all your encouragement and pray your Sabbath is blessed with His peace today.
Thank you for sharing this moment with all of us.
So glad to share it with our lovely blogging community.
Precious bleeding feet. Precious story.
Beautiful moment in time, Shelly. She will remember that moment forever. Love the red tights!
I hope she felt the love of Christ through our prayers Sandra. I had some time in the lobby of a hotel to snap photos of three little girls. Couldn’t resist the red tights!
This was a beautiful post. As I read that you looked down at her feet… Christ’s feet crossed my mind. Thank you for sharing this today.
Yes, those feet reminded me too . . . And her pain. So glad you made a visit here today!
How beautiful! I want to be like that, and feel the pain of others and have compassion. I am so glad that prayer was shared in that elevator!
Lord…make me a blessing to someone today!
Linda @ Truthful Tidbits
(I came over from Barbie’s today at “Freshly Brewed Life!” I linked up too. Come for a visit if you can.) (:>)
I agree with that prayer. May he use each one us of to be conduits of his grace wherever we go. So glad you stopped by today. Thanks so much for leaving a comment.
Makes me cry. I’m a runner. But not a marathoner. I’ve never run until my feet bled. I can see her hobbling off the elevator, aching feet and heart covered in grace. Beautiful…
Deidra, I’m a wannabe runner. I am so inspired by them all, no matter what time they had. Sitting next to a 50 something who has done 50 marathons on the plane now. Incredible.
Thankful for this story and for your willingness to pray and for hers to receive.
So happy I could share it with more than those standing in the elevator that day!
Sharing the love of Jesus to a stranger……that’s what it’s all about!
Yes, I agree. And people are more open than we think they are sometimes!
This is so beautiful! Thank you for linking up today!
Thanks Barbie, for your kind words and the opportunity to link up!
Hello!! I am visiting from Barbie’s Fresh Brewed Sunday post.
What a beautiful story. I love how you made the connection between the marathoner’s feet and Jesus’ feet. Jesus ran His race fully and I too want to run my race fully, even to the depth of bleeding out for Him.
I love your faith in stepping out and praying for her. I am sure Jesus was crying at that moment.
Blessings,
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Infinitely beautiful!! I’m more nosey than the other commenters. I want to know where you were and who she is and are we going to see her in the Olympics?
Nancy, that is the journalist in you needing to know! I was in a hotel in Houston, where they held the Olympic trials for marathoners. And no, she didn’t make the cut and quite honestly, I don’t remember her name, but her face will always be there stuck in my memory bank!
Wow…what an incredible example of how to seize the opportunity to let God use you. Thank you
Shanda, its all grace and I am thankful. BTW, having trouble commenting on your site for some reason. Could be my end but wanted you to know I have been reading!