Some time back in the fall I made a decision that I needed to participate in more team sports. And until the day that I can relocate my tennis serve, I thought kickball would be the easiest way to start back on that. It would be a nice contrast to my solitary runs and full days spent alone in my office or evenings spent alone at home. So I talked to my best friend and my brother and they decided to combine their kickball teams and we all joined up together.
Yesterday, after a trip to Starbucks in which the woman at the counter looked at me and said that she could tell I was clearly in need of my tea, I made the journey home from Atlanta. I made it back to Columbia in time to attend the funeral of a close family friend and the kind of 38 year old woman whose life was lived in the way I could only ever dream of being. While running Sunday morning, I found several people wearing tshirts with 2 Timothy 4:7 printed on the back of them. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” It was the first thing I looked up after I crossed the finish line and turned off my music. It was also a verse that was repeated over and over again at Jennifer’s funeral.
When I left I was encouraged more than ever. I felt God reminding me to keep the faith. To finish what I start. I’m reminded through others to be compassionate and to live passionately.
Last night I laced up my cleats from high school and headed out to the kickball field with my brother and friends and I had so much fun. I’m excited about meeting new people, spending time with my friends, getting exercise in in a fun way, and trying harder to be an encouraging and kind person who thinks positively and who others want to be surrounded by.
kristin blakely 
Hopefully your season will be less eventful than mine 😉