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         I give you an illustration: You see those who compete for the honors of men, the athletes who receive their day of glory as they run the race. You see those who are experts in their fields--the gymnasts, the swimmers, the runners--all of those who have gathered together to compete for the glories of man. They are the best in the world in their field, and they compete to be acknowledged as the very best, as the top. But how did they get there? What did they endure? What sacrifices did they make? What parts of their lives did they give up? What determination did they have?
         These have trained day after day after day, week after week after week, month after month, year after year! They have focused on one thing, and one thing alone. They did not let themselves be turned to the right or to the left, but focused on the goal of being able to compete, of being able to run with the best, to test their skills. They have received the honor of competing, of being in the arena. Whether they win or whether they lose, still they had the honor of running the race, of being there, of having their dreams fulfilled. They have given their lives to fulfill this dream.
         I parallel this to you, My dear one. For you have trained all your life, you have fought many battles, you have laid many things aside, you have been faithful, and thus you have made it to the arena. This arena is a place of great honor, for you have proven yourself worthy to be called to the arena and to run the race. The potential is there for you to run and win, to receive the medal of gold.
         The medal of the winner goes to those who are the swiftest, who have the most determination, who sacrifice their all in one great burst of energy and determination. All who run the race in the arena are honored, cherished and loved, for they paid the price. And so it is with you, My loved one, for you are loved, and you are honored, and the medal is there for you. But it takes that final burst of faith, determination, and sacrifice. It takes everything within you, in one final burst, to win. But win or not, you are in the arena, and you are running, and you are loved, and you have made it. You have fulfilled much of your calling.
         I know your heart. I know your determination. I know your desires. I require only this last burst of commitment, of determination, of sacrifice, of laying down your life and your will, that the crown--the prize, the medal--may be yours. Rest assured, My dear one, that I am with you, that I am your comfort, that I am the healer of the brokenhearted. Rest assured that I understand all that is within your heart. I look upon you with great understanding and great love, and My love for you is completely unconditional.
         You are Mine, and as the parents of any who run the race, it matters not to them whether their child wins or loses, they are still the parents' child. The parents love the child the same, whether he stands on the podium and receives medals, or whether he stands below as one who runs but does not get the final prize. To the parents it makes no difference. For the parents love the child not for the prize, but just because they love them. And so it is with Me and My love for you. I love you with an everlasting love that shall never fade or weaken, but shall remain constant.
         I will not love you any more or any less based on the outcome of your decisions, because My love for you is constant and never-ending. Be assured of this, for I love you because you are you--not because of what you do, or who you are, or because of position or decision. I love you because you are My child, you are My lover, you are My wife.



Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family