Nearly 3,000 athletes take part in the summer games of Michigan's Special Olympics. The Special Olympics slogan is "Caring is more important than winning." This is especially true of those competitors who are mentally impaired.

The events at the Special Olympics are like any other track meet—with one major difference. At the finish line is a group of volunteers the Olympic Committee calls "huggers." Their job, in addition to calling out the winners, is to encourage one of the competitors throughout the race and to greet him or her at the finish line with a big hug.

In Romans 16, Paul gives special recognition to the men and women in Rome who had been diligently "running the race" for the Lord. He remembered them by name. Paul would have made a good "hugger." (Actually the Greek text mentions kissing, but you know how cultures change.) You can be that kind of encourager too. Make those around you feel like winners.