My youngest is signed up for her very first race next month. It's a half mile, which is a very long way for a six-year-old, and she gets a t-shirt. She assures me her shoes are very fast. Since my knees are still not a hundred percent, I'll do my best to keep up.
My son is training for a 5K set for that same morning. This is his third race and he's getting up at 5 a.m. to run with me. I love that. I am so impressed with his willingness and dedication and I can tell a huge difference in his endurance since this spring.
I never ran when I was a kid. Maybe it was because Forrest hadn't made it popular yet, but I suspect it was because my parents didn't run. I had no example, no mentor, no encourager. I took it up in my forties because my husband ran. (Yes, my college roommate did too, but I was something less than interested then.)
As we run our race for Christ, it's important to realize that we have tremendous influence when it comes to leading others to get in the race or simply to keep trying. I don't say this to put extra pressure on you – who needs that- but rather to encourage and assure you. Whether it's with your kids, grandkids, or other family or friends, you CAN and DO make a difference.
Keep running!