An Unexpected Cheerleader

An Unexpected Cheerleader

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.

Proverbs 15:30

Turtling along. That’s what I was doing approximately one and a half miles into my first 5K. I was technically running, but the average person walks faster than my running pace at that point. I wanted to finish the race without walking, no matter how slow my running—er, turtling—pace.

It was at about the two-mile mark that I realized the finish line was not where I thought it was going to be. In fact, I’d severely miscalculated, and in that moment, I felt as though I might have to run forever. That may sound a bit ridiculous, but it seems that running makes me think ridiculously overdramatic thoughts.

Discouraged and still turtling, I whispered to God that I wanted—needed—to finish this race without walking. It wasn’t but a few moments later that, refusing to give up, I plodded on past the place I had mistakenly thought was going to be the finish line. An older gentleman standing along the trail clapped loudly and said two simple words as I passed: “Good job!” As crazy as it sounds, my eyes immediately welled up with tears as I met his gaze, gave him a determined nod, and kept putting one foot in front of the other.

He couldn’t have known it, but his encouragement came at my lowest moment in the race, and his words buoyed up my flagging spirit. His cheerful look brought me joy, and in that moment, I picked up my pace and knew I was going to reach my goal.

His simple encouragement cost him nothing—in fact, I doubt that he even remembers giving me a clap and a cheer—and yet, he was the pivot point in my race, responsible for the moment when my mind-set switched from “I think I can” to “I know I can.” His kindness in that moment is burned into my memory.

It is so easy to share a smile, a cheerful look, an encouraging word with others—and the cost of that small gesture (nothing) often has an outsize impact on the receiver.

—Julie

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Encourage a stranger with a smile and a word of encouragement.