For the last few weeks, I’ve found myself inadvertently humming the words of a favorite old styled hymn, the spiritual "Guide My Feet." The lyric is simple, the first two lines repeated: “Guide my feet, while I run this race, guide my feet, while I run this race.”
"Guide My Feet" is a staple of church choirs, folk and gospel artists because of its message — a humble plea for divine guidance during the race of life.
But I think the song’s words are also powerful in the secular context of today’s 118th Boston Marathon. We spectators and sideliners are guiding the feet of the runners — our projected support motivational fuel for their race to the finish line.
“We are not strangers,” Gov. Deval Patrick told the audience at the anniversary tribute last week. He said runners and supporters “share the same community.” On this year’s marathon banners are three words defining that connection forged in blood and bravery: "We run together."
And so they have come 36,000 runners. An estimated 1,000,000 spectators from Boston and beyond will line the route today to cheer them on. To watch and witness as the runners use their bodies to honor of the injured and dead, in defiance of those who would terrorize.
Who better to help Boston leave behind the horrific memories of last year, than long distance runners trained to push past psychic and physical pain? These runners are Boston’s second wind; they are teaching us what marathoners know firsthand — the real measure of endurance is to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Some few days after the bombing two local ministers led an informal service at the makeshift memorial in Copley Square. They led the gathering crowd in singing the "Guide My Feet" spiritual. Suddenly I realized that all these years I’ve been singing the wrong words. They sang the right words, “Guide my feet, I don’t want to run this race in vain” versus my version, “Guide my feet, I don’t want to run this race alone.” But, whatever the words, "not in vain" or "not alone," I think both sentiments capture the spirit of this year’s marathoners, focused on the journey and not the destination. So when the runners begin their 26-mile trek, I’ll be singing my song for them in full-throated fervor. And celebrating a Boston Stronger.
