Running to win or running for the love of the race?

Maggie running hard...

Maggie before her race....

The kids had one of their track meets on Saturday. While this was nothing new for the older kiddos, this was Maggie's first track meet. She loves to run...LOVES it. She runs because she wants to - not because she is told to (like the older kids :-) In each one of her races, she had that smile on her face - the one you see in the picture above. She kept that smile, loving the RACE - not the ribbon at the end. I felt so bad because in each event she competed in, she was an inch away from first place...literally. But, you know what? She didn't care. She didn't know that her ribbon had a "2" on it. She was thrilled with her prize. She just kept asking, "When can I race again? When can I run again? Is it my turn yet?"

Oh, how I wish and pray for that attitude in life. I pray that I will enter each day with an attitude of love for my Savior, husband, children, and even an attitude of love towards the challenges that are placed in front of me...not so that I can get the best reward, but so that I can get the reward that He has for me...that special reward that He has in mind just for me. Running the race for the love of the journey. I could learn a lot from my kids if I would just take the time to do it!