I receive a morning email devotional from a team of women called Girlfriends in God. I thought this was appropriate to share this morning, as we are going through harvest right now and I really need some cheering on to get to the finish line. The forecast shows rain for the rest of the week. For those of you who don't know, that is not good for us right now. This is what happened last year and we had to wait out the entire month of July, which made harvest last till October. This year we do not have cotten, so it will be shorter no matter what, but please pray this rain will pass us by until we get everything out of the field.

Friend to Friend

It was the first swim meet of the year for the newly formed, middle-school aquatic team. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation as forty-eight adolescents thought of nothing but victory. Justin was among the bunch and was swimming the five-hundred-yard freestyle for the first time in his life. Toward the end of the race, everyone had finished...except for Justin. He stole breaths as his hands slapped against the water to push it aside and propel his thin body forward. The freckle-faced youth appeared he would go under at any moment, but something kept pushing him onward. The race was won eight minutes ago, but Justin continued to swim. One teammate, inspired by his brave friend, went to the side of the pool and walked the lane as Justin pressed on. "Come on, Justin, you can do it! Keep going! Don't give up!" He was joined by another, then another, until the entire team was walking the length of the pool, rooting for and encouraging their fellow swimmer to finish the race. Soon the opposing team saw what was happening and they joined in the chant. A chill ran through the room as the once concerned parents rose to their feet cheering, shouting, and praying. The room pulsated with energy and excitement as teammates and opponents pumped courage into one small swimmer. Twelve long minutes after the starting whistle had blown, an exhausted, but smiling Justin swam his final lap and struggled to pull himself out of the pool. The crowd had applauded the first swimmer as he crossed the finish line in first place, but they gave Justin the greater cheer for simply finishing the race.

Let's Pray- Dear Heavenly Father, sometimes I feel like I'm not going to make it. Thank You for friends who come alongside me and cheer me on when it seems like I'm ready to go under. Above all, thank You for being with me always, to cheer me on in the great race of life. I love You!In Jesus' Name, Amen

That prayer says it all for me. I thank Him daily for the friends, family and husband He has blessed me with that encourage me daily. Love you guys and gals!!

PS: Ryan is living and working here this summer with us and it is so much fun! I just love my boys!

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:6