Just before the finish line this happened:
Hilary Dionne was part of the elite women who started 32 minutes before the elite men. Hilary is an amateur who works a full time job while training at the elite level. She knew Meb was close behind her, but didn't know exactly where. Meb had his sights set — he wanted to finish alongside Hilary. But he had to sprint to catch up to her. When he did, he grabbed her right hand, clutching it and raising it in the air as they both ran across the finish line.
Shortly after she finished, Hilary tweeted her initial reaction: "Not my best time, but by far my most memorable finish. Thanks amazing @runmeb for joining me across the line, an unforgettable moment!" That is what makes Meb so special. He is a fighter, he wants to win, but he cares about others along the way.
I often wonder about people who claim to be Christians, but spend so much time tearing others down. Galatians chapter 6 says, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." (verse 2, 3, and 10)
The Message put it this way: "Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith."
You may never know how much a person needs your hand in theirs in this journey. Meb had to speed up to catch Hilary, by reaching her he crossed the finish line just a little bit sooner than if he had finished alone. I Googled "Meb Keflezighi Hilary Dionne" and there were over 12,000 results. Every headline about them was positive. Reaching out to someone nearby will not only help them, but it will enrich your own journey.
