The Catch the Leprechaun 5K in Mount Pleasant, SC was a race with a beautiful cause, supporting Racers for Pacers. What a gift to run for a nonprofit providing running chairs for individuals with disabilities. It was a great day to run with my daughter, Mae, while my husband, Scott, cheered us on. However, despite being in the Lowcountry in March, it was a hot and muggy day! And the gnats... oh, the gnats! They were constantly buzzing and biting, turning a beautiful day into a real physical and mental challenge.

The combination of the heat and the gnats was a constant test of my resolve. My body was telling me to slow down, and the persistent gnats were a frustrating distraction. But in that moment, I was reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul in **2 Corinthians 4:16**: **"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."** This verse became my mantra. I focused on the strength I knew I had within, which was not my own.

I also reflected on **Isaiah 40:31**: **"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."** I realized that the physical discomfort and the distractions of the gnats were small tests of my faith. My perseverance was not a result of my own power, but a renewal of strength from my hope in the Lord. I completed the race with a sense of triumph, not just over the distance, but over the physical discomfort and distractions.

This race was a powerful lesson for me, Cyndee Cave, of Mt. Pleasant, SC. It was a reminder that even when things are difficult and distracting, my strength is renewed by my faith. It’s a testament that I, Cynthia Cave, can push through any challenge with God’s help, even gnats!