“Father, they are your gift to me.” // John 17:24

I decided to run a marathon one day in October. It had been on my bucket list after finishing my first half-marathon in college, and running had been my passion since my teen cross-country days. This race felt much different, though. I was making a decision at that point in my life to fight for my joy, and this race was going to push me through the tempting swamps of despair.

When I woke up that morning to run twenty-six miles in the desert of Arizona, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for my life and the joy my Heavenly Father has for me. I started to imagine God watching me run this race on a big screen television in Heaven with all the angels and my favorite Saints. I imagined Him turning towards them, His eyes still on me, saying: “Look at my daughter! There she is!” with the overflowing pride of a Father.

With a deep sense of my belovedness and worth, I ran that race as if I was truly flying. Sure, mile twenty was daunting and blazing hot by 10 a.m. on the asphalt streets of Phoenix, but I still felt like laughing and smiling every step of the way, with no thoughts of stopping.

I could see Jesus smiling as He looked at me. His gaze felt like supernatural strength.

In today’s Gospel, we hear that Jesus uttered a prayer to Heaven right before He went out and laid down on His deathbed under a full moon in a garden. The most raw outpouring of His heart spilled over for every child in the world to hear.

In reality, you don’t have to run a marathon or have a triumphant moment to make Jesus overwhelmed with love and joy for you. He smiles big and wide at the very sight of you.

“Father, she is your gift to me . . .” (see John 17:24).

Sit with Jesus and listen to Him speak these words. You, dear one, are a precious gift to Him.