Sidewalk Encouragement

It's hilly in Norcross, Geogia... and running, especially when it's cold, is a mental and physical challenge. So imagine my surprise recently when I saw encouraging messages written in chalk on the sidewalk.

The first one said, "Faith Hope Love."

A few yards later, the artist had drawn some flowers and written, "Run on!"

Then, "Say Thank You." I looked around. Who was I supposed to thank? Across the street were some guys blowing leaves. They couldn't hear me, but I smiled and waved. I felt warmer. The hills weren't so bad.

At the next and last message, I laughed out loud. It said, "It ain't raining." No, it wasn't and that always makes for a better run.

One of my favorite movie lines is from Bull Durham. The young pitcher tells a reporter, "You win some. You lose some. And sometimes it rains."

In the race of life, we win some, we lose some... and then we head to a place where it never rains. Look for encouragement where you can get it, and always on the sidewalks.