Hello Hump Day readers. I’m back in Arizona for 6 months, missing the campground already but filled with joy to worship with friends at church. I admit that it is a strange life having two places to live but I wouldn’t change it for anything.

As we drove home from New Mexico we were mostly out of any Wi-Fi range for quite some time. It was OK for me as I was driving the Suburban hauling the pop-up and Al was behind hauling the big rig—I needed all eyes and no distractions for safe driving. And this brings me to a story from a friend of mine who writes and shares her life experiences for several Christian publishers. I was surprised when she texted me with a link about one of her latest “races”—I thought she had retired from running (she’s over 60) but…well, read on below!

“I was at a Native American reservation in California, two hours from the nearest big city and I was here to run. I had just arrived at the Ragnar Los Coyotes trail relay race. The annual race is a grueling multi-day relay in the rugged beauty of Los Coyotes Indian Reservation in San Diego County. Understandably my husband, Tom, thought I was nuts when I signed up. Now I was asking myself the same question. Gazing at the younger sleeker athletes I was intimidated. I’ve been a recreational runner for years, even competed in races, but I’d never run a trail race. Living in North Carolina means no big hills for training. My neighbors worried about me slogging in the August heat; one stopped and asked me if I wanted to sign-up for Bible verses on text message. I did it, after all I needed all the encouragement I could get.

I joined my relay team. We were eight women from around the USA selected by “Moms Running Group USA”. I was the oldest—by far—but we all would have the same trail which had a total elevation change of 4,000’. Each member of the team would take turns running each loop—all done in 24 hours. I was about ready to start when ‘ping’—I got a text message even though there was NO service, period. I read it and my teammates were curious, so I told them it was my neighbors Bible verse of the day from Isaiah. They wanted to hear it so I obliged: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Their response, “wow, that’s great, now we have something to think about.”

Off I went, first loop; second loop and then the final, toughest loop. Almost immediately I got discouraged with the trail that seemed almost vertical. One runner buzzed past me and said “Don’t forget—left foot, right foot.” I stopped and caught my breath. The verse from Isaiah sounded in my head: “I will strengthen you and help you.” I wasn’t alone; God was with me. I can do this—all I need is to move my left foot, then my right foot. Quickly I picked up speed, pushed on and suddenly I heard cheering as I crossed the finish line! Then 3 more teammates came in and wow—our group took 2nd place. But here’s the real kicker: As soon we got back in cell range our phones started buzzing, yet none of those texts had made it through while I was running except one—the one I’d needed the most! So, remember, it makes no difference where you are because you are never out of God’s radar—his ‘texts’ will find you anywhere!”

I love her story! It reminds me how God must chuckle at what we think is impossible—and then in God’s great mercy and love the impossible becomes possible! My friend’s story also reminds us that God not only encouraged her, but her friends as well. They wanted to hear the verse and thankfully she shared. Again, a reminder that we must never hold back God’s grace and goodness and encouragement. Even if you think your friends don’t care about faith or God, share it anyway—the Holy Spirit does the changing and our task is to tell and share.

I don’t think we say this enough in our society—no wonder there is so much confusion, hatred, addiction, immorality, etc. Sadly, we tell ourselves that it would be “totally impossible” for anything we could say or do that would change/help “so-and-so’s” heart. We’re afraid if we speak about God, we will offend them so we do nothing—which means nothing is helping that person and we’re not doing our God-given task either!

Go back to the verse my friend shared from her text message—read those words from Isaiah–we have no reason to NOT share because God tells us “I am your God; I will strengthen you and help you.” That’s a promise that never ends and those words tell us we are without excuse. So go ahead, send that impossible text—God is ready to change lives, maybe even your own! AMEN.