“Way to Go, Mom!”

By Brad Layland, Chief Executive Officer & Senior Consultant

This past weekend, I had the privilege of running the Disney Marathon. It was an incredible experience, but it wasn’t just the race itself that stuck with me—it was what I witnessed at the very end of the course.

After crossing the finish line, I stood on the sidelines, cheering for those still out on the course. Seven hours into the race, the cutoff point was looming, and anyone running slower than that was at risk of being told to stop. I saw a woman about my age, clearly exhausted, shuffling forward. She looked like she had nothing left to give.

Then, something amazing happened. Her teenage son, standing nearby, called out: “Way to go, Mom!” In that instant, her whole demeanor changed. Her face lit up, and it was like she found an extra reserve of energy she didn’t know she had. She kept moving forward, step by step. She wasn’t running alone anymore—her son’s encouragement gave her the strength to finish the race.

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that moment. So often, in ministry or in our work raising funds, we feel like that woman—tired, worn down, unsure if we can make it to the end. It’s easy to forget that God calls us to encourage one another, to remind each other of the finish line and the strength He provides.

The Apostle Paul understood this well. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, he wrote: “Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Encouragement isn’t just a nice gesture; it’s essential. It lifts our eyes from our fatigue and helps us remember that the work we’re doing matters—and that we’re not running alone.

As we each live out our calling, let’s not overlook the power of encouragement. Who needs to hear, “Way to go!” in your life? Who needs a reminder that God is with them and they’re making a difference?

Encouragement doesn’t have to be big or elaborate. Sometimes, a kind word or a heartfelt prayer is all it takes to help someone press on. And when we encourage others, we reflect the heart and love of Christ, who is always cheering us on.

So, this week, take a moment to encourage someone who might feel weary. Let’s be the voice that reminds them of the joy set before them, the strength they can find in the Lord, and the assurance that their labor is not in vain.

Because here’s the truth: when we build one another up, we all finish the race stronger.

 

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