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Dangerous Women: Article 1 A Woman on the Run (continued) < prev| page 3 of 4 | next > by Lynne Hybels |
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A natural cheerleader who loves to help others reach their potential, Beth was not surprised by her growing enthusiasm for GOTR or her growing affection for the girls. What did surprise her was the restlessness growing in her spirit. "I was on the brink of turning 40, telling my girls that they could accomplish something that seemed impossible to them, But what about me? What was I attempting that seemed impossible to me?" Inspired by her 13 Cheetah Girls, Beth decided to train for a marathon. "I signed up in early May. By Memorial Day I had to do an 8-mile run/jog/walk and I thought I was going to die!" But Beth kept running, and discovered not only a physical strength she didn't know she had, but an avenue of spiritual growth as well. "Every time I went out running, some new spiritual insight would be revealed to me. I started praying for people as I ran…for my family…for people I met who were struggling. Friends started sending me emails about people who needed prayer. The people I was training with asked what I thought about while I ran. I told them I prayed. They wanted to know more about that, so while we trained together we talked about God, and prayer, and the spiritual life." On October 27, 2006, Beth ran the Chicago Marathon. Running for Team Tiara, a fund-raising arm of GOTR, Beth raised over $6,000 to help other young girls benefit from the program. Elizabeth is currently training for her second Chicago marathon, and hoping to qualify for the prestigious Boston Marathon. "I know this sounds like I’m quoting from Chariots of Fire, but the truth is that now I honestly feel like 'I run for God.' Running is my favorite part of my day. At first my body just has to get warmed up. Then it becomes my time with God. It’s peaceful. I pray. I listen. I feel God’s presence and pleasure while I run." I chose Elizabeth Wright—Beth, as she's known to me—for my first Dangerous Woman Story, because I've had the unique privilege of watching her become increasingly dangerous. I prayed for her for years as she moved from an unsettled spiritual seeker to a devoted follower of Jesus. I've benefited from countless conversations with Beth as we both pursued emotional healing and personal growth. I was at her wedding and have watched her build a marriage. And through it all I have been aware of her intense passion to discern what it means for her to use her gifts and passions on behalf of other girls and women. I hope Beth's story will challenge many of you to go to www.girlsontherun.org to find out about opportunities in your communities to impact young girls during such a crucial time in their development. Cleo, a mutual friend of Beth's and mine, is diligently working toward her goal of running a 5k distance so she will feel qualified to coach her own team for GOTR next year. Though I probably won't coach a team, Beth's story has challenged me to be more intentional about investing myself in the young women I've met through my daughter and son. How can I "mentor" them informally? How can I encourage them? Challenge them? Cheer them on? Model for them a vital, growing, strong way of life? |