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Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young

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Run Like a Girl: How Jesus used women to carry His message

I used to coach a sweet girl named Hannah. When I first met Hannah at cross-country practice, I saw she had raw talent. She was also very unsure of herself and her abilities. Through that first season, Hannah got a taste of what it’s like to train and compete. She was a hard worker, but she was often hard on herself and ended up in tears after races. We spent a lot of time running together and working through those emotions.

Hannah had a shirt she often wore that says, “I run like a girl,” and on the back it says, “Try to keep up.” Every time she wore that shirt, I couldn’t help but smile inside. The shirt served as a reminder of how far she had come.

I watched Hannah grow and mature. Somewhere along the way, she found her wings. She runs and has excelled as a ballet dancer now. She moves with confidence and grace.

In the Bible, we read stories of several women who lacked confidence at first, but whom Jesus healed and empowered in important ways throughout His ministry.

He went out of his way to meet with a Samaritan woman at the well. He offered her Living Water and sent her out to share with her community that He was the Messiah. He healed a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years and provided a platform for her to share her story. He also healed his disciple Peter’s mother-in-law who was suffering from a severe fever. She immediately got up and began to serve, showing how Jesus brings us into places where He can use our gifts to bless and help others.

The women who followed Jesus from Galilee and ministered with Him were there when Jesus died and when His body was brought to the tomb after He died on the cross. Mary Magdalene (whom Jesus delivered from seven demons), the other Mary (mother of James), Salome, (mother of James and John), and Joanna (wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward) brought spices to the tomb on the day after the Sabbath (Matthew 28; Luke 24:10).

There was a great earthquake and an angel as bright as lightning and dressed in white descended from heaven. The guards were quaking in their sandals.

The angel spoke purposefully to the women: “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you” (Matthew 28:5–7, NLT).

The angel shared this message about Jesus’ resurrection with the women first. There are myriad other more grandiose ways He could have announced this, but God chose to use an angel to reach out personally to the women whose lives were transformed by His Son. He invited them to be the first eyewitnesses, the messengers, the carriers of this Good News.

God chose to use an angel to reach out personally to the women whose lives were transformed by His Son. He invited them to be the first eyewitnesses, the messengers, the carriers of this Good News.

-Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young

The women wasted no time. They ran. I imagine them picking up their skirts in their hands and running with all their strength. These girls were fueled by joy and wild wonder. The only one who could keep up with them was Jesus himself.

He stops them in their tracks. “And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him.

Then Jesus said to them, ‘‘Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there’” (Matthew 28:9–10, NLT).

These women were given the awesome privilege of testifying that Jesus had risen from the dead just as He said He would. In their culture, it might have been difficult to convince the disciples and others this was true because Jewish men did not consider women to be reliable witnesses, but Jesus reassures them not to be afraid. Like the angel, He urges them to go and tell the brothers He is coming.

I had the privilege of helping train my friend Hannah to run her first half marathon a few years ago. Not many twelve-year-olds are signing up to run 13.1 miles with their coach. That girl pushed the pace as we ran the first seven miles together. Then I set her free to fly to the finish on her own. Like Mary Magdalene and the other women Jesus met after His resurrection, she was not afraid to run like a girl.

Have you ever lacked confidence? Can you recall someone or something that helped you gain courage to keep running your race? Who can you encourage in a similar way today? Take a moment to text or call a friend to impart courage like Jesus did.

Photo by Andrew Tanglao on Unsplash

*This was originally published in the Walk Run Soar devotional, which is now available in paperback, hardcover, audiobook, and ebook. More details here.

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March 22, 2021 Categories: General, RunningTagged: walk run soar

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Comments

  1. Quinnise says

    March 22, 2021 at 2:31 pm

    This is beautiful Dorina! Thank you for these reminders of how God used so many women to share His word and goodness with the world.

    Reply
    • Dorina says

      March 26, 2021 at 9:20 pm

      I appreciate you reading! I am always encouraged and inspired by the stories of the women of the Bible!

      Reply

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Meet Dorina

Aloha, friend! If you love stories, you are in the right place. I write about grief, glory, running, food, and more. I hope these words inspire you to chase after God’s glory in your life today!

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Recent Posts

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Before Footer

I’ve created this compassionate resource for your personal journey with grief. This book was 8 years in the making and offers a comforting, giftable resource for those who are processing their own loss, whether of a loved one, a season of life, or a dream. Breathing Through Grief includes 25 short devotionals that each focus on a different aspect of grief from my personal experience.

The journal also includes special resources such as:
•
breathing exercises
•
reflection questions
•
soul care tips
•
ample writing space
•
advice on how to talk to children about death
•
suggestions on how to approach triggers
•
creative ways to honor a loved one’s memory

If you or someone close to you is walking through loss⁠, let the comforting words in Breathing Through Grief encourage you with the knowledge that you are not alone and bring you a semblance of peace as you continue forward on the road to healing.

The book releases Nov. 14. You can pre-order today. For more information, visit www.waterbrookmultnomah.com.

View

Sep 21

Open
I’ve created this compassionate resource for your personal journey with grief. This book was 8 years in the making and offers a comforting, giftable resource for those who are processing their own loss, whether of a loved one, a season of life, or a dream. Breathing Through Grief includes 25 short devotionals that each focus on a different aspect of grief from my personal experience.
The journal also includes special resources such as:
•
breathing exercises
•
reflection questions
•
soul care tips
•
ample writing space
•
advice on how to talk to children about death
•
suggestions on how to approach triggers
•
creative ways to honor a loved one’s memory
If you or someone close to you is walking through loss⁠, let the comforting words in Breathing Through Grief encourage you with the knowledge that you are not alone and bring you a semblance of peace as you continue forward on the road to healing.
The book releases Nov. 14. You can pre-order today. For more information, visit www.waterbrookmultnomah.com.
8 1

Last week I embarked on a new adventure. My sister and I were hired as the new chefs for the Open Door Sisterhood retreat in Priest Lake, Idaho. This annual 5-day retreat is part of a year-long experience carefully curated and nurtured by podcast hosts and authors Krista Gilbert and Alexandra Kuykendall. This gathering is designed for professional communicators and business women who want to infuse the hope of Christ into their work.

As I was chopping onions and adding fragrant spices to the pot, I felt great pleasure. My heart swelled with delight as my sister and I showed a small group of women how to roll lumpia just like our Grandma Cora taught us. I experienced joy in serving up Pancit, Bibimbap bowls, Butter Chicken, Pizzelles and Pumpkin tiramisu - all the while sharing the stories of how these foods connect to my family.

I remembered one of my favorite stories in the Bible after the resurrection of Christ. Jesus appears by the Sea of Galilee where his disciples were together. The group heads out to fish, but they don’t catch anything.

The next morning Jesus is standing on the shore waiting for them. He calls out, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

They answer no.

He urges the to cast their nets on the right sight of the boat. The result is a catch of 153 large fish - so many that the net is torn. Jesus urges them to bring the fish for a big fish fry on the shore. “Come and have breakfast.”

None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish (John 21:11-12, NIV)

We see Jesus’s joy in serving them. He takes time to make bread and prepare fish to nourish them well and then send them out. This is the power of food and sharing a meal across the table. It’s nourishment for the body and soul.

🫶🏾 Friend, what about you? Have you ever had that experience of doing something that brought you great joy and blessed others?

{Read the full reflection here: https://open.substack.com/pub/dorinaglorygram/p/follow-the-joy-set-before-you} #foodie #food #cookingtherapy #nourish #lovelanguage #powertothesisterhood #retreat @theopendoorsisterhood

View

Sep 18

Open
Last week I embarked on a new adventure. My sister and I were hired as the new chefs for the Open Door Sisterhood retreat in Priest Lake, Idaho. This annual 5-day retreat is part of a year-long experience carefully curated and nurtured by podcast hosts and authors Krista Gilbert and Alexandra Kuykendall. This gathering is designed for professional communicators and business women who want to infuse the hope of Christ into their work. 
As I was chopping onions and adding fragrant spices to the pot, I felt great pleasure. My heart swelled with delight as my sister and I showed a small group of women how to roll lumpia just like our Grandma Cora taught us. I experienced joy in serving up Pancit, Bibimbap bowls, Butter Chicken, Pizzelles and Pumpkin tiramisu - all the while sharing the stories of how these foods connect to my family. 
I remembered one of my favorite stories in the Bible after the resurrection of Christ. Jesus appears by the Sea of Galilee where his disciples were together. The group heads out to fish, but they don’t catch anything. 
The next morning Jesus is standing on the shore waiting for them. He calls out, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
They answer no. 
He urges the to cast their nets on the right sight of the boat. The result is a catch of 153 large fish - so many that the net is torn. Jesus urges them to bring the fish for a big fish fry on the shore. “Come and have breakfast.” 
None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish (John 21:11-12, NIV)
We see Jesus’s joy in serving them. He takes time to make bread and prepare fish to nourish them well and then send them out. This is the power of food and sharing a meal across the table. It’s nourishment for the body and soul.
🫶🏾 Friend, what about you? Have you ever had that experience of doing something that brought you great joy and blessed others?
{Read the full reflection here: https://open.substack.com/pub/dorinaglorygram/p/follow-the-joy-set-before-you} #foodie #food  #cookingtherapy #nourish #lovelanguage #powertothesisterhood #retreat @theopendoorsisterhood
26 4

I had a fantastic Sunday morning running the Diamond 10k! 🩵💎🦋 The weather was simply gorgeous! I could feel a cool breeze kissing my shoulders (most of the way) on the out-and-back course from the San Joaquin River Parkway Conservatory. My hubby Shawn was the race announcer. The runners got to cross the finish line under a chandelier and sparkly sun rays.

This is one of my fave races because of all the phenomenal women cheering each other on, the beautiful jewelry by Endure Jewelry (instead of traditional medals), and of course, the sparkly donuts. 🍩 🏃🏽‍♀️My friend and race director @sunny.runs always has every detail dialed in to make it a beautiful & community-oriented event! After a long week, this was definitely the breath of fresh air and reset I needed!

#glorychasers #walkrunsoar #eatprayrun #runningmotivation #running #runhappy

View

Sep 18

Open
I had a fantastic Sunday morning running the Diamond 10k! 🩵💎🦋 The weather was simply gorgeous! I could feel a cool breeze kissing my shoulders (most of the way) on the out-and-back course from the San Joaquin River Parkway Conservatory. My hubby Shawn was the race announcer. The runners got to cross the finish line under a chandelier and sparkly sun rays. 
This is one of my fave races because of all the phenomenal women cheering each other on, the beautiful jewelry by Endure Jewelry (instead of traditional medals), and of course, the sparkly donuts. 🍩 🏃🏽‍♀️My friend and race director @sunny.runs always has every detail dialed in to make it a beautiful & community-oriented event! After a long week, this was definitely the breath of fresh air and reset I needed! 
#glorychasers #walkrunsoar #eatprayrun #runningmotivation #running #runhappy
47 2

It was truly my joy to
design, cook, and serve up
11 meals
Over 5 days
Taking 13 women on a
World tour.
Nourishing souls.
Telling stories
through food.

#foodiefriday

View

Sep 16

Open
It was truly my joy to
design, cook, and serve up
11 meals
Over 5 days
Taking 13 women on a 
World tour.
Nourishing souls.
Telling stories
through food. 
#foodiefriday
31 4

📖 Join me today for a verse-by-verse reading and unpacking of one of my favorite psalms! Psalm 139 is a reminder that we are known by God and He is always with us.

Maybe you are feeling lonely today. Maybe you are wondering if He really cares about your grieving heart or sees you in the waiting. These honest and passionate words from David are a honey-sweet reminder that we are never alone.

I personally love thinking about God with knitting 🧶 needles designing and knitting each of us together in our mama’s womb. I love thinking about how with thread and needle 🪡 He hems me in.

🫶🏾What was your fave verse or image from Psalm 139?

#psalm #biblestudy #versebyverse #david #fearfullyandwonderfullymade #knitting #bibleverse #psalms

View

Sep 15

Open
📖 Join me today for a verse-by-verse reading and unpacking of one of my favorite psalms! Psalm 139 is a reminder that we are known by God and He is always with us.
Maybe you are feeling lonely today. Maybe you are wondering if He really cares about your grieving heart or sees you in the waiting. These honest and passionate words from David are a honey-sweet reminder that we are never alone.
I personally love thinking about God with knitting 🧶 needles designing and knitting each of us together in our mama’s womb. I love thinking about how with thread and needle 🪡 He hems me in. 
🫶🏾What was your fave verse or image from Psalm 139?
#psalm #biblestudy #versebyverse #david #fearfullyandwonderfullymade #knitting #bibleverse #psalms
20 6
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