the big day.

today was the big day. 20. the longest run pre-marathon.

i joined team world vision at the lakefront group run for a bit of extra support. i got more than a bit.

at mile 16ish, we caught up with some teammates and found them praying out loud as they ran. they were asking for strength to finish the run, but also for the children in zambia we are running for who completely lack the water and sustenance that we were craving by that point.

we separated then, but we kept praying. i found myself speechless mid-prayer, overwhelmed by this incredible experience. running a marathon is life-changing in itself. but i was suddenly humbled to be doing it with a group of people who are actively loving God and loving others, and showing me what it means to care for the poor with our resources and time and thoughts and gifts and even our physical bodies.

in this case, it means people in zambia drinking clean water for the first time.

it's easy to question whether or not we can actually do anything of value. whether or not we can change the world. and that's why today was exciting. because i caught a glimpse of what can happen when we stop questioning and start believing. and not just believing, but doing.

i know i, for one, want to be in the midst.

lean in.

today, after working at world vision for 3 years, i attended new employee orientation. i guess the hr representative kind of knows what she's up against when she walks into a room because she opened with this about the sessions:

"you can choose to endure, or you can choose to lean in."

and i started to think about how often i have that choice.

tonight i ran a great 6 miles. my best. because i chose to lean in.

what could happen, what could i learn, how could other people be affected, if that's the decision i made more often than not? even in new employee orientation.