APAD: The race is not to the swift,

nor the battle to the strong.

[Ecclesiastes 9:11 (KJV): 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 favor to men of skill; but time and

chance happeneth to them all.]

 

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This became a favorite only because I rarely won any race or battle. Naturally,

I hated them. Who invented them? What for? The proverb was a great comfort.

 

It was Jesus, however, who saved me from falling for hatred and loathing for

good for He said that whoever wants to be the first shall be the last. He

completely turned things around and I was guaranteed a spot on the podium.

 

I was not alone. Here is what someone wrote down after the annual SF Marathon.

    

    A Steal

 

    He got just as high as anyone

    Running a hasty, tasteless sub-3 marathon.

    By sticking with the enlightened squad, however,

    He was blessed with something better,

    The time necessary to actually treasure

    The Crissy Field, the Golden Gate Bridge, et cetera,

    While pacing on them,

    And meanwhile, accruing brownie points with Him.

    He was decorated amid applause and cheers

    At the finish line, from folks who truly

    Appreciated the beauty of the sport

    And the suffering he had done

    (For at that point he didn't look tip-top,

    Truth to be told).

    Oh, the pasta, the gimbap, and the draft beer.

    He had had nothing like them, he'd swear.

    But no, that was not all, as he was also chosen

    to be among the first in heaven.

    What a steal!