Inspy Romance

Inspy Romance—Fall in Love With a Good Book

Finishing the Race + #Giveaway

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If you’ve been reading our Sunday Edition posts in August, you’ll know I’m a big fan of the Olympics. I love hearing the behind the scenes stories from the athletes. Most of the athletes have overcome amazing odds and worked incredibly hard in their training regime to reach the elite level and represent their country in their chosen sport.

The two weeks of competition had big highs and lows, depending on your perspective. Both elation and disappointment was experienced when athletes either achieved their personal bests or suffered unexpected setbacks. The common denominator was the desire for all athletes to finish the race. The biggest disappointments happened when circumstances prevented an athlete or team from finishing and completing their event.

I loved the co-operative way that many of the athletes helped and supported each other to perform at their best. One of the Aussie men’s decathlon athletes ran the last event, 1500 meters, and sacrificed his own performance to run alongside the other Aussie to cheer him on to win the bronze medal. This was a historic moment for Australia because we’d never won a medal in decathlon. We saw similar camaraderie in other events, including the home stretch in the men’s marathon.

The marathon race reminded me of the writing community. Writing a book can feel like running a marathon. The end of the book can seem like a long way off in the distance. Putting words on the page can feel like a sprint with the word count climbing fast. Or, it can feel like a long and painful marathon with each word and sentence taking a monumental effort to write. Writing isn’t a solo sport, and we have people alongside us and resources to draw upon to help us finish our book.

I’m in a season where finishing my current book feels like a long and tough marathon. Life happens, and it’s my writing time that gets pushed off the to-do list. I could let the frustration overwhelm me. Instead, I’ll continue to persevere and trust that Jesus will carry me through this season and, in His timing, open up the time and provide the energy to finish the race and write ‘the end’.

One of my go-to Bible verses when life is challenging and writing is hard is 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV).

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

There is a bigger prize, an eternal prize, waiting for us after we finish the race. We are not alone as we work hard and struggle to overcome obstacles to achieve our goals. I love being part of the writing community. I appreciate the readers who take the time to do things, both big and small, that support authors in their writing and publishing journeys.

Are you in a season where completing a project feels like a quick and easy sprint or a long and tough marathon? If you watched the Olympics, do you have a favorite moment that inspired you? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Giveaway

I’m giving away a $5 Amazon US gift card to a reader who comments on this post. The giveaway will close on Saturday, August 21, and the winner announced in the Sunday Edition.

Narelle Atkins (199 Posts)

A fun loving Aussie girl at heart, Narelle Atkins was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children. A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle's contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia and international locations.


Comments

  1. Life is good here right now, so no marathon on my horizon.

    I love watching the Olympics. My daughter and I were amazed by the daring do of the BMX freestyle riders.

  2. I had a friend going to make a memory quilt from my trip to the states. then after about 5 years it was clear that wasn’t happening and I got my materials back. Another lady said she would do it. after 2 years it was clear that wouldn’t happen (she has memory issues and had forgotten she offered). Last year I started it did most of the top and had the backing to do the lady was doing the back and quilting only after another 6 or so months I got it back. I now have a new bed so need to add to the sides and still need to do the back. I may get finished next year!

    I liked a lot of the olympics and there were so many really good moments. I loved how the skate boarders supported everyone no matter what country and were excited for each other.

  3. I have been in a season of female issues for over a year now. The road ahead seems never ending. I know God has a plan and hears my thoughts and prayers. Thank you kindly.

  4. I really like to watch the Olympics, especially gymnastics. It’s amazing to see what each athlete has had to endure or overcome to get to their goal. That just proves they are human.

  5. It makes me so happy to discover new books and authors!📚🥰 Having the opportunity to enter a contest is the icing on the cake!🍰

  6. Hi Mary, I’m glad to hear this and hope it continues. BMX riding is so fun to watch. I remember years ago being introduced to BMX stunts by the Aussie movie BMX Bandits starring Nicole Kidman. I was blown away by the skill of the riders competing in Tokyo. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  7. Hi Narelle! At seven decades old, completing a project is sometimes a long and tough marathon, especially when competing against my grandchildren ages 4, 7, 13, and 16. Just returned from watching the youngest. She can sprint and climb and talk and run.

    This retired educator has been retired 9 years. In the summer of 2012, I climbed the 302 steps to the top of Mount Baldhead at Oval Beach in Saugatuck, Michigan. The view is gorgeous. Since I was passing, there yesterday; I repeated the challenging. Took longer, but I made. At least it wasn’t as tall as the Ulm Cathedral in Germany. I climbed the 768 stairs in 1984. Saugatuck is having the Mount Baldhead Challenge to climb the stairs on September 11 to remember the NYC Twin Towers.

    I only watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. Did catch some glimpses on the Today Show. Especially enjoyed the cultural tidbits the hosts provided, which made me reminisce about my 2008 trip to Japan and the two weeks spent in Tokyo. Best wishes and Happy writing.

  8. Hi Jenny, wow, your memory quilt has had quite a construction journey! I’m glad you’ll be able to finish it. The skateboarders were fun to watch. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  9. Hi Kelley, I’m sorry to hear you’re in a difficult season, and I hope and pray you’ll reach the other side soon. It’s hard when the end isn’t in sight. Take care and thanks for commenting. 😊

  11. Hi Lori, I love watching gymnastics, although it was my least favorite activity during PE (physical education) class at high school. I have great admiration for the gymnasts. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  13. I’m still trying to get through each day and adjust to my “new normal”, and just getting through a day is good! I’ve got to start making Christmas cards, so the race will be on to do those!

  14. I’m in the middle of raising children (13, 11, 8 years old) and homeschool them, so some days everything feels like a marathon. Overall though, it’s all passing so quickly like a sprint.

    I love the Olympic, but didn’t get to watch as much as normal this summer. We love pretty much every event, but are more likely to watch what is shown during prime time just because it’s more convenient to our family schedule.

  15. Hi Renate, Your grandchildren sound adorable. Climbing 302 steps is an achievement! I’m glad the view at the top was a pleasant reward. In Australia we have a Giant Staircase in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. When I was younger I didn’t think too much about climbing up and down it, although I also liked taking the easy option and riding up and down the nearby Scenic Railway. The cultural aspect of the Olympics is fun. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  16. Oh, wow! Talk about sitting down for two weeks glued to the TV 🤣 … I found a new appreciation for cycling, BMX, basketball, beach volleyball … and so much more. But one of my favourites would have to be watching Jess Fox finally – FINALLY – get her gold medal, all the while listening to her father call the race so calmly. Then to watch him get teary later on as Jess gets her gold medal.

    And I think what does make these moments so special – even for us spectators – is the knowledge that they had to go through so much to get there. Heartbreaking when they miss out; elating when they get on the podium. Watching them was like sharing in their journey (less painful for me, though 😉)

  17. Hi Paula, I understand that feeling. I wrote and scheduled this post prior to my city going into lockdown a week ago. Take care and thanks for commenting. 😊

  18. Hi Trudy, It’s not an easy adjustment. And yes, September is coming too soon, which means Christmas is around the corner. Take care and thanks for commenting. 😊

  19. Hi Melynda, I have great admiration for parents who homeschool and manage to juggle all the demands that go along with it. My youngest will be finishing school and graduating in a few months, and those years have flown by too fast! We were fortunate that Tokyo is a similar time zone to Australia and we saw many events live. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  20. I’m in marathon mode right now. As far as the olympics go, I was truly impressed by a 14 year old Chinese girl who drove from the platform. She was so focused on getting the job done. Her mom has something wrong with her, so she dives to support her mother. She was an amazing diver.

  21. I always enjoy seeing the reactions of athletes who were a long shot to win, or even medal, in their event and the shock and disbelief on their faces when they realized they had won a medal, such as Ahmed Hafnaoui who won the 400m Freestyle.

  22. I just started my fall semester of school and I currently feel like I am running a marathon, it is hard work but I know that it will be worth it.

  23. I’ve had Olympic marathon books, Narelle. Mostly when family members were having health problems and creating fictional characters was the last thing I wanted to concentrate on. I love the Olympics. My favorite moments this time were Katie Ledecky’s races. I love to swim, she’s amazing, and always humble.

  25. Doing great here in Texas, Thanks be to God. I did not watch much of the Olympics this year, but I did see the fit one of the tennis players had, so sad when that happens. I love watching tennis , swimming, Figure skating and Gymnastics. Have a great day and a great rest of the week.

  26. I feel like I’m in a season with a long and tough marathon.
    “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” 1 Corinthians 9:24

  27. I think I have to agree with most everyone here, getting through each day’s challenges is enough of a race for me :-) Taking life one day at a time is all we CAN do. With the Lord’s help & guidance it makes the journey easier when we lean on Him.

    My husband and I have been in a challenging season for about 3 years now because we have legal guardianship of our seven year old grand-girl. Just when we thought we’d be “empty nesters” after our son graduated High School in 2016, our daughter started doing some things in her life that weren’t good & we had no choice but to take over care of our grand-girl. It’s been a long road with many ups & downs, but we wouldn’t have it any other way! Obviously God had other plans for us & has provided for our family in many ways to meet the challenge. It was also quite the year in school when it was all online! I had to learn right along with her how to navigate online lessons, classroom time & homework. But again, we got through it and she’s so smart that she took to it like a fish in water :-) Now she’s looking forward to school being in-person when they start back up in September (so is this Grandma, lol).

    With Christ, all things are possible! I also was thinking of Paul’s writing where he talks about running the race in his epistles. Your blog post was spot on today Narelle; it’s never an easy race riddled with many obstacles. But we know in the end that our reward is with God and so we have to press on towards the prize of the high calling in Christ. That’s the only way to reach the finish line!

  28. From one Olympics fan to another, thank you for reminding me of that 2 Timothy verse. It’s so strong and inspiring and relatable.

  31. Hi Jaye, Jess Fox winning gold was special, and her mum being an Olympic bronze medalist for France as well as her dad calling the race. Her parents moved to Australia prior to the 2000 Sydney Olympics because of the opportunities for women in their sport here. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  32. Hi Kimberly, The selflessness of some of the athletes, and the sacrifices they make to support their families, are the stories that make the games special and inspiring. I’m plodding along with you in the marathon, and we will eventually reach the finish line. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  33. Hi Jessica, yes, I loved seeing their faces when their Olympic dreams came true, and they realised they’d exceeded their expectations and achieved personal bests. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  35. Hi Shannon, It’s a big relief to write ‘the end’ on the marathon books. Katie Ledecky is a true champion, and I love watching her swim, too. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  37. Hi Alicia, I’m glad to hear this. Yes, I think I saw the incident you’ve mentioned, and it’s disappointing when they misbehave. Enjoy your week and thanks for commenting. 😊

  39. Hi Trixi, yes, for a range of reasons there are many of us in a challenging season. Online school learning has been a challenge for many as well. There has been a rush in the last week where I live to set up and deliver schooling packages for younger students as well as re-establishing online learning. We currently have approximately 5% of our city in quarantine, which is creating major challenges for our community. I’m praying that the needs in my community will be met and we’ll exit lockdown ASAP. I’m glad your grand-girl is doing well, and I hope she’ll be back at school with her friends next month. Yes, Paul’s writings provide us with the hope of an eternal prize when we finally reach the finish line. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  43. Hi, Narelle!

    Another verse that came to mind was Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”.

    The gift of encouragement that the Aussie runner gave his teammate was HUGE in my eyes. I remember being at a competition where a foot race was run. The race was done. The winners we determined. Folks were walking away, but there was one little fellow still running, determined to go the distance. By the time he crossed the finish line, he had a whole host of encouragers applauding his arrival.

    I can’t run for shucks. I can barely walk the length of a competitive track so I get the idea of a marathon. In six months or a year you will definitely be that much older but who knows how many marathons you could fit in there? Press on toward the mark…

  44. I feel like I am in a long tough marathon in my life. I am dealing with multiple health issues. My Mom is in a nursing home. My Dad and husband are dealing with health issues. My husband and I are trying to sort through the house to declutter, but energy and memories are making the process slow. Thank you for your post. God bless you.

  45. long and tough marathon. This pandemic has infiltrated everything. I threw out my WIP and am starting over.

  46. I feel like I’m running a marathon in mud since caring for my mom for 9 months and her passing 3 months ago. Everything just seems so hard to accomplish now.

  49. July and parts of August have been kind of difficult for me, lots of hard things going on. But there’s also been good moments and I’m trying to have the outlook that the hard moments are meant to help me grow. I think life is often like a marathon, just when we want to quit is when we need to put on that extra burst of energy and keep going.

  50. I am blessed. The closest thing to a marathon for me is keeping at an exercise program through Trainerize and watching my calorie count. Although as I type this, my husband is picking up ribs for dinner!

  51. Hi Lincoln, yes, thanks for sharing the verse from Hebrews. The encouragement stories are amazing and provide us with hope to continue on our path despite the obstacles. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  53. Hi Denise, I also need to get back into the rhythm of writing despite all the challenges. It’s not easy, and I hope you’ll make progress on your new wip soon. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  59. This was a wonderful post. Great inspiration, especially the Aussie showing his support for a teammate. I’ve always loved the Olympics but couldn’t get into it much this year. Maybe an odd season for me? I did read about the Filipino who won their first gold medal. Her story is also very inspiring.

  60. I’m definitely in the “project that feels like a marathon” stage, so I get where you are, and am sending you a big virtual hug.
    Thank you for the post. It definitely helped me refocus :)

  61. Hi She S, yes, the inspiring stories make the games special. There were many exciting firsts this year for athletes from a number of countries. Thanks for commenting. 😊

  63. We just started the new school year on August 18th and it already feels like a long and tough marathon. Students are already under quarantine, I’m trying to record my lessons while teaching live, etc. However, I reflect on last year (just looking at my planner last year) and I am thankful that, for now, we are all in person and situations could be different.

  64. Hi Jessica, I empathise, and we’re in lockdown atm where I live in Australia. All the teachers do an amazing job to switch gears so quickly and transition into the online learning space. Recording a live class would be very challenging. Thanks for commenting. 😊

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