Page 15 - LDBD Magazine - Issue 22 - Jan Feb Mar 2018

LDBD in every issue ◊ Encouraging Moments

A Marathon Worth Winning

By Preach Elder Brown

There are some people that will try to stop what God has given
you the vision to complete.
Sometimes its people that know us, and then there are times it’s a
complete stranger, working under assignment of the enemy. A
distraction to throw you off, a detour in the road, a yield sign
ahead.
So on April 15th 2013, a Marathon was set to come to an ending,
and right before the inish line, over 250 people were wounded,
while 3 were killed at the event by massive bombs that went off.
The news shook our nation as all focus was on the city of Boston
Massachusetts, and thoughts and prayers went out to the families.
Many people around our world were in prayer that those who
were responsible for such a hideous crime, would be captured.
While there were deaths and a large amount that were wounded,
no one gave up, many continued the ight, the race, and the endur-
ance of the marathon continued.

Life battles are marathons that we must somehow face, endure,
and conquer. Like the remarkable ight and triumph story of Ce-
leste & Sydney Corcoran of Lowell Massachusetts, mother and
daughter survivors of the bombings. Both of these courageous
women have slapped giving up and throwing in the towel in the
face, with the powerful slogan of “Corcoran Strong.” They both
were terribly wounded and Celeste legs were both damaged and had to be amputated. Through the scars, the
memory, recovery and the pain, they were asked by Photographer Robert X. Fogarty if they would be interested in
going back to the bomb site, and the inish line to take pictures with messages on their skin, that they would like to
share with the world. Though some declined, many said yes, and so the pictures were taken. They had not been back
since that horri ic day, but this day there was something different, something courageous, and a message to be
shown.
There were various of written messages that were displayed, all were very powerful, and the one that tattooed my
mind was the one that was written on Celeste Corcoran that read, “still standing” as both of her amputated legs lay
on her two prosthetic legs, as she sat at the inish line. This message to the world showed that certainly one can be
knocked down, but have the power within to get back up. With no legs, she stood tall, with no legs she won the race,
and with no legs, she kicked defeat in the face.
This marathon wasn't about running and winning, it was about persistence, resilience, courage and endurance.
Though your life may be hit by unforeseen situations, and the marathon line seems like someone keeps moving the
line further and further away, as you get close, but know this; everyone will get to the line, it may be tough, distrac-
tions in the road, detours, and reschedules, but you'll get there. Here's a reminder that will push you on today,
Ecclesiastics 9:11 “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong,
neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and
chance happeneth to them all.
www.facebook.com/PreachElderBrownPreach
PreachElderBrown@gmail.com

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