The Empty Stroller

The date was set.
I knew that two of my daughters were planning to participate.
I learned that my son-in-love was also joining in that morning.
I decided to register as well.

I registered for a 5K Walk/Run to support our local crisis pregnancy center.
A walk had been done a previous year in another location.
However, this year it was expanded to be a run as well.
It was moved to a more central location.

I was excited to think about all the runners and walkers that would turn out that day.
I was praying for good weather, since the 5K Run/Walk was to be held rain or shine.
Emails were sent to inform all of us of the logistics of the morning.
We were to meet quite early so everything could begin on time.

The day of the 5K Run/Walk came.
God gave us a gorgeous day.
Everyone was to meet at a park where the Run/Walk would begin.
Families with young children and children in strollers were gathering.

Individuals, couples, young people and older people gathered under the trees.
We were all to go to the registration table first.
We received our T-shirt and our pinny that was to be displayed on our shirt.
People gathered; conversations were shared and candid pictures were taken.

A man directed us and reminded us of the reason we gathered.
Life was being celebrated.
As I looked around at all the faces, I could see that life was well represented here.
Life was being celebrated right there under the trees.

Instructions were given as to how we would proceed.
I was with the walkers, while my two daughters and son-in-love were with the runners.
I walked with another mother and her daughter.
People all seemed to know each other; we all shared a love of life.

We were told that the director of the crisis pregnancy center would be pushing an empty stroller.
I thought of the symbolism of that empty stroller.
I thought of the many children who would never be born because of abortion.
I thought of all those tiny souls, unknown to us but known to God and deeply loved.

We were led in prayer.
We praised God for the weather He gave us.
We thanked God for life, which only comes from His hand.
We sang a worship song to our Lord right there under the trees.

We walked to an entrance of a beautiful trail where we would officially begin.
The trail path was wide and paved.
As we walked on the street to get to the entrance, police stopped traffic to allow us to pass.
There we were in our green shirts, visible to the waiting traffic, the police, and the people watching.

The love and joy was palpable.
This was not a demonstration; this was a celebration.
We walked to support all the things we were for, not the things we are against.
There is a huge difference in that perspective.

As we entered the trail, the electronic clock was started to time the runners.
I saw my son-in-love leading the runners.
My two daughters were side by side, further back.
The walkers were not walking to achieve a certain time but rather for fellowship.

I saw the director pushing the empty stroller.
We walked along scenery that caused us to pause just to take in the beauty.
I walked behind a little boy wearing neon sneakers trying desperately to keep up.
His little curls were bouncing as he took each step.

People were talking to each other; people were saying, Hi, to others they passed on the walk.
People who were on the trail but not part of the 5K Run/Walk said, hello, and noticed the joy.
The course was clearly marked.
At each trail entrance, traffic police were there to assist as we waved to the waiting cars.

The course was marked for the walkers and the runners.
The turnarounds were clearly visible.
After we turned to walk back, we approached an overpass.
As we walked under the overpass, a runner ran by us.

I WAS WAITING FOR THIS TUNNEL! She said excitedly.
RUN FOR JESUS! She exclaimed, as her voice echoed against the walls of the overpass.
RUN FOR LIFE! She joyfully proclaimed.
I noticed her shirt as she ran past us.

Clearly visible on the back of her shirt was a Bible verse.
The verse was perfect for the day.
I wanted to echo that verse under the overpass.
I would have preferred for her to join me but she ran by us much too fast.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

I have that verse on a sign hanging in the bedroom, which both of my boys shared.
I see it every day.
The verse is firmly planted in my heart.
However, there under the overpass, echoing against the walls, it needed to be proclaimed.

God knows the plans He has for each of us.
We are not the determiners of who should live and who should die.
We are not the ones in control of the number of our days or the days of anyone else.
We are not the Creator, who has breathed the Breath of Life into our nostrils.

We are fragile runners and walkers on this journey.
We are celebrants of this gift of life that God has given to us.
We are fellow life-bearers and Life-bearers.
We are worshipers, praising a holy, sovereign God.

As we walked on the trail, I saw the director pushing the empty stroller.
I saw the little boy with the curls and the neon sneakers unable to walk any farther.
I saw the director lift him up into the stroller so that he could continue on the walk.
How deeply her simple gesture touched my heart.

God is the One who fills strollers.
God knits children together in their mother’s wombs; they are fearfully and wonderfully made.
God is the Author of Life.
This journey is not meant to be traveled alone.

RUN FOR JESUS!
RUN FOR LIFE!
Fill those strollers and help young mothers as they travel this journey.
Some are alone, some are afraid, and some have never known the love of God.

Make Him known!
Journey together as fellow walkers and runners.
Life, in all its stages, is to be lived in community.
Run and walk with JOY for Him, the Life Giver.