“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.
Jana Zuniga Pingel is an artist and designer based in Colorado Springs, where she resides with her husband. She earned her B.A. in Studio Art from Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana. She is the founder and owner of January Jane Shop, an online boutique for Catholic art and goods. When she isn’t busy doing entrepreneurial things, she’s cooking a new recipe, hiking a mountain, or party planning.
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