Running a half-marathon and childbirth have one glaring similarity: you need time to erase the pain before you decide to subject yourself to it all over again.
When I crossed the finish line of my first race everybody said, “Now you’re ready for a full marathon!”
I said, “One and done. I’m ready for a full plate of food!”
I had just run non-stop for two hours covering over 13 miles. That was ridiculous! Why would I ever do that again? Why did I ever do that in the first place?
Fast forward five years.
I turned 40 and the memories of that first race faded. I wanted to prove I wasn’t all washed up, so I registered for another one. I began my preparations, but a twisted ankle and sinus infection set me back. The furthest I ran during my training was eight miles. I was going to have to wing the rest.
On race day the first six miles felt pretty good. The training had paid off. I had increased my pace and distance. I had strengthened my muscles and improved my lung capacity. But sometimes our preparations can only get us so far before something more is needed.
The aching began in my right knee. It happened between miles six and seven. It was nagging but not unbearable. Around mile nine my calves started to tighten. I was entering uncharted territory. My body hadn’t been pushed that far in years. The pain continued to increase and my race suddenly got difficult.
The harder I tried, the more it hurt.
Even if I stopped, the pain would remain. I knew I had to keep going to reach the finish line, but I wasn’t sure it was possible. In the middle of that sea of people I kept putting one aching foot in front of the other.
It was mile ten when I saw them – my friends. They were standing in 35-degree weather on a Saturday morning. They willingly stepped into those less than ideals conditions for one reason – to see me. To call my name. To let me know I was not alone.
They didn’t jump in to run the race for me. They didn’t carry me across the finish line. They didn’t finish my journey for me, but they were present to witness it. Seeing them made me smile.
Hearing them yell made me pick up my pace, but do you know what carried me through to the finish? Hearing my name.
“You got this Elizabeth!”
They weren’t the generic cheers I heard from strangers along the way. They were specific words chosen specifically for me. They were evidence I wasn’t just a face in a crowd. They saw me. They believed in me. They wouldn’t run the race for me but they would watch me cross the finish line.
When my 5-year-old daughter was diagnosed with a chronic illness it hurt. I entered into a stage of the race I hadn’t trained for.
I was forced to do things I once thought impossible.
My family and friends could not step in for me. They could not take on my role. They could not change the circumstances. They could not remove the pain.
What they did was far more important. They showed up. They offered meals, cards, hugs, and prayers. But the thing that meant the most was their presence. The thing that strengthened and steadied me was hearing them call my name.
“Oh Elizabeth, I’m so sorry.”
I was not a face in the crowd. I was seen and known in my grief.
When we are seen, the road may be hard but the loneliness is displaced. When we are seen, grief may not be removed but hope is offered alongside the pain.
Maybe the difficult race right now is yours. However painful your journey may have become, there is someone who sees you and knows you. No matter how difficult the conditions may be, you will not face them alone.
He is calling your name.
That changes everything.
We can never be fully prepared for the struggles, but we can be fully seen by our Savior.
Leave a CommentI have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
When you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
(Isaiah 43:1-3)
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Elizabeth,
First, Congrats’ on Clemson winning! I love your story of hearing your name being called. I believe that God is always calling our name and He always sees us, but somehow when we are in the midst of adversity, that’s when hearing our name and knowing we are seen can literally save our lives. Like you, I’ve gone through a lot of pain and adversity, but knowing I have a Savior who cares so intimately and deeply about me – one who carries me when I can’t walk alone – gives me hope. When someone calls your name, it takes it to a much more personal level. When we pass through the flame and God and others call our name and come to our aid, a strong bond is formed. We know that we are not alone and that God will not let the waters overwhelm us. Confidence comes when we know, deep in our heart, that we are known and our name is being called. Way to go in your race!!
Blessings,
Bev
Elizabeth says
Thank you Bev! We are so proud of our Tigers and the WAY they won! It was a victory for the kingdom!! And – amen sister!! Yes! You are so right…the intimacy with which God sees us can truly save our lives. xoxo E
Renae says
Wow I really needed this at the point I am at in my life! The scripture you used is the one I’ve been hanging on to. Isn’t it wonderful how God is always right on time? Thank you for being His willing servant! May He bless you richly!!!!
Elizabeth says
Renae ~ oh goodness! This is truly and example of God calling YOUR name…that he would lead you to this place and these words just when you needed them. Much love sister! E
Janette says
Thank you for this important aspect of encouragement. I am the generic cheerleader and didn’t realize this until now. How important to be intentional with using that personal name, and caring but showing that we are with someone in the race, along side, knowing them by name. Jesus is our cheerleader and calls us by name! He knows what our pain is and He is there beside us, helping us to endure it.
Elizabeth says
Yes! Cheering for YOU Janette. xoxo E
Sandy says
Thank you. This was actually calling my name in a harsh season.
Elizabeth says
I’m so happy to hear that Sandy! You are loved! Xoxo
Ruth says
Beautiful encouragement! So grateful for my saviour and that He knows my name! My daughter had massive strokes at birth and has severe deficits resulting from it. She wasn’t expected to survive yet God had other plans. The daily challenges are a hard race to run. I am so grateful for the people God placed in my life who are there to encourage me! Reading this post has also encouraged me to be present and encouraging to friends who are running hard races. Thank you! Beautiful words! Love that scripture!
Elizabeth says
Praise God! Thank you for sharing. xoxo E
Theresa Boedeker says
You are so right, we are never alone. God always sees us and is there every step of the way. Even when friends and the church don’t step into to cheer us or cook meals or serve us in any way. I love that the church and friends rallied around you, but sometimes they don’t and while we may feel alone and forgotten, we never are. God will minister to us in ways that once we are farther on in our race we will be able to look back and see that he was there the whole time.
Brandy says
Theresa Boedeker you are so right. Sometimes, no one steps up to help or to just be there for you. This post especially touched me, as my daughter was diagnosed with a chronic disease 2 years ago. I was so alone, so hurt in the lack of support from friends and family. I’ve spent the last 2 years forgiving them. I’ve never wanted to hold that against anyone but still wonder to this day why some people have to endure so many things alone. I always think of Jesus. As I know he was alone on earth but supported by his father.
I’m struggling and holding on to my faith that someday things will get better.
Elizabeth Maxon thank you for writing your personal story and inspiring us today.
Theresa says
Brandy, I am so sorry that you are facing such a big trial on your own. You shouldn’t have to, but sometimes that happens, even when it shouldn’t. It happened to us after a tragic accident, and for years I thought it was us. But now I know it was just others failing to do what they should have done. I am glad you are forgiving. I know it is easy to be angry, but when we turn our hurt into helping others and developing empathy for others in our situation or similar trial, God can turn our hurt into blessings for others. Our suffering is never a waste when we use it to help and minster to others. I will be praying for you and your daughter.
Elizabeth says
This is so true Theresa! Even when it doesn’t seem like our needs are being met by man they are being met by God. Sometimes it takes not having anything else to hold onto to remind us of what we truly have in Him. Love your perspective! xoxo E
An says
Theresa and Brandy and Elizabeth, thank you for these words that echo so many places in my life. I have had seasons too where I have had to carry it all alone, yet never once did Jesus forget my name-thank you for reminding me Theresa. He has engraved them on Himself with nail holes that show His great love of each of us, His intimacy for us. I try to look at those times as times of deepening reliance and relationship with Jesus, but I have too to forgive and struggle with holding on to faith Brandy. You are right Elizabeth that He will meet our needs out of His glorious riches, I just have to remember to open up to letting Him 🙂 May we each seek and find him cheering us on as He holds our right hands, walking with us, sometimes carrying us through the sign posts of life 🙂
Elizabeth says
Yes! So grateful we don’t have to go through this alone!
Tricia says
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you (Isaiah 43:2)
This was the Bible verse on my daughter’s high school swim tshirt many years ago. I had always loved it! (I had kept her tshirt to do something with it after she ended her swim career.) When she completed her events, she always knew, I would yell ‘good swim, Danae’ above the crowd so she could hear it. Even if I didn’t show up on time when she would enter the water, as I needed to run pick her brother up at his school first, she knew I would be there at the end of her event as her fingers touched the time pad. (She usually swam in the first events then a few later.) She knew her personal cheerleader was there!
Fast forward, two years out of high school for her, my husband and my kids’ dad died of a fatal heart attack. It was this verse that helped me through. (I made the tshirt into a banner to put right above my desk at work!) Yet, I had always been a little hurt of why God did you let this happen? Why didn’t my husband eat better? (He weighted 300+pounds.) This morning, as I read ‘He calls you by name, – you are mine.’ I re-read it, this person must be wrong, that’s not part of this chapter of Isaiah. I doubled checked my bible. Sure enough, it is!
Wow! And Thank you! You just lifted a hurt off my back, and put a smile on my face reminding me, I am not alone. He was/is with me through it all cheering me on! I can do this! Sometimes in life it’s good to have a reminder, I have my own personal cheerleader ! Thank you again!!!
Elizabeth says
Oh I have chills Tricia! Thank you for sharing this part of your story with us and how beautifully it weaves into God’s greater story for all of us. Blessings on you sweet sister! xoxo E
Amanda Uher says
Gosh, so good. Thank you for this, Elizabeth!!!!
Elizabeth says
{{Hugs}} Amanda!! xoxo
Brenda says
Known by name…what a comfort. Lovely post, Elizabeth, thanks for sharing. 🙂
Elizabeth says
Comfort, indeed, Brenda. Much love!
Toyin says
With God, we are truly never alone!
And.nothing.else.matters.
Thanks for dropping this!
Elizabeth says
Amen friend!! That is the truth. xoxo
Dale says
No matter how difficult the conditions may be, you will not face them alone. Thank you so much for remaining us that our God is always there.
Elizabeth says
Absolutely!
Stephanie says
Thank you for sharing ❤ God bless your beautiful daughter and may God bless you with strength and peace to keep running the race ❤
Elizabeth says
Thank you Stephanie! Blessings on you too! Xo
Marinalva Sickler says
Lovingly story and encouraging reminder that He calls us by our name. We are a face in the middle of the multitude.
Elizabeth says
Isn’t it amazing?!?
Beth Williams says
Elizabeth,
People cheering you on is a great thing. It makes the race that much easier to run. We aren’t supposed to run this race alone. God wants us in community. He expects us to encourage each other with love and “name calling”. Even if it is just a phone call, note or just a pray for someone. Cheering them on will help aid them in their race. Sometimes the race can be hard and we’re not sure who to talk to or where to go. Not to worry God is there cheering us on. Telling us I love you and you’ve got this! He will see us through all the races of life!
Blessings 🙂
Elizabeth says
You are so right Beth!
Heather Gillis says
Thank you for sharing your story!! I so can relate! There are so many parallels God shows us when we train for our races in the physical race and spiritual one. I could totally relate to your story! Beautiful!
Elizabeth says
Isn’t it a comfort to know we are not alone in these experiences!?! xoxo
Starr Haigler says
Oh…YAY!! Seeing your beautiful face guest posting makes me smile! I’ve loved watching your journey through the years and absolutely loved this story. Thank you for the beautiful reminder that He knows my name. We miss you in Charlotte, friend!
Elizabeth says
Hello friend!! So happy to see you here! I sure miss y’all too…lots of love to you and yours! xoxo
Donna says
Love this!!! Thank you Elizabeth! I needed this today!!! Bless you for sharing!!!
Elizabeth says
Oh Donna…I’m so glad God met a need for you with this post. He is so faithful to do just that!! xoxo
Donna says
Yes Elizabeth He is so wonderfully faithful always! I forwarded it to my friend of 40 years and it so touched her she just cried and cried…..good tears. She needed it too! You will probably never know this side of heaven just how many have been blessed and encouraged to keep going. Thank you again and many blessings to you Elizabeth!!!
Elizabeth says
All the love, Donna, all the love. xoxo
Heidi says
So true! There is something so beautiful in being called by name – like being known! Thank you for sharing this, Elizabeth. This resonated with me, as I was reminded of when you served communion at New Charlotte. You knew my name, and you said it when serving: “The body of Christ, broken for you, Heidi.” That use of my name has always stuck with me. Making the sacrifice of Jesus so personal for me. Thank you.
Elizabeth says
Oh wow, Heidi! You’re making me cry again! One of my most favorite experiences is communion. It means so much that you thought of that. He really does KNOW us!! Love you!