The Tortoise and the Hare #2

I was blessed last Sunday morning to have been able to participate in my first 10K run here in Iraq. And I discovered an extra blessing that day at the finish line.
The email describing the race and registration procedures was complicated. The fact that they had T-shirts did not escape my eye though. It stated that only the top hundred runners would get a shirt at the finish line. I did not hold out much hope, but I hadn't closed the door on a shirt either. The morning of the race we discovered that there were several hundred runners registered. These folks did not look like the remedial group.
I reeled in my last bit of hope and took it off the hook and packed that all away. My attention that morning quickly shifted to completing the race to the best of my abilities.
Around the the first half mile checkpoint the lead pack of runners (20-30) all took a wrong turn. When I saw them I told Sgt Sward, "today is my day...all the rabbits have run off." We laughed good and hard.
When I ended the race the official at the finish line handed me a numbered tag and said, "last one; no more shirts left." I couldn't believe it.
I thought back in my mind at how the Lord had split off exactly the number of people in the front of the pack to enable me to get a shirt. That is simply amazing.
The majority of the front runners completed the 5K loop and joined us on the 10K loop. In essence the majority of those elite runners ran that morning because they love to run. I didn't here "too" much complaining, I heard more laughter and joy.
It is the classic tale of the tortoise and the hare but this time it is not either of the creatures who get the glory. It is instead the creator. Thank God that he still listens, positions and messes in the affairs of men. Thank him that he still loves to see us smile. Thank him that he still gives old turtles new painted shells (shirts).