** YOU HAVE TO WATCH THE BELOW VIDEO. AMAZING! **Have you ever wondered how much God loves you? How He can still love you after you continue to make the same mistakes day in and day out? I wonder this all the time. It is something that I am continually praying about.
Romans 8:39 says that nothing can separate you from God's love - NOTHING!
Last Sunday, our wonderful Pastor delivered a soul stirring message about how much God loves us and how He carries us in the hard times. He remarked on the old Footprints poem. If you've never read Footprints in the Sand, you can read it here.
He went on to share about a father and son racing team. Dick and Rick Hoyt. Their story is incredible!
Rick was born with severe disabilities such that experts advised Dick and his wife to institutionalize their son. Thankfully, they didn't and soon learned that Rick was an intelligent and eager young man.
After a five mile fundraising race, in which Dick pushed Rick in his wheelchair, Rick said "Dad, when I'm running, it feels like I'm not handicapped."
What loving father could resist such a statement? Their running career began and they have since raced in over 1,000 races including many Ironman competitions.
For those of you that don't know what an Ironman competition is (I didn't either!), it is a 2.4 mile swim, immediately followed by a 112 mile bike ride, immediately followed by a marathon, 26.2 miles of running. All with no break!
Their story in and of itself is difficult to imagine but what my Pastor was illustrating is that Dick was displaying a Christ-like quality in his overwhelming love for his child. God's love for us is so great, that like Dick, He drags us along through the tough spots, He pushes us forward to teach us and He lifts us up and cradles us until we cross the final finish line. Such is a Father's love.
The below video is of Dick and Rick and their journey in one Ironman competition. Please watch it! You won't regret it! It is truly inspiring!
The Journey of Team Hoyt from teamhoyt on Vimeo.
To learn more about Dick and Rick Hoyt you can visit them at their website: www.teamhoyt.com
I hope their story is able to encourage you today - no matter what you're facing, God is with you!
Happy Tuesday!
I've seen a special on these two and it's so, so, so inspiring! Makes me tear up every single time! What a beautiful post, Lacie!
ReplyDeleteThey showed this video at the parent orientation at the college where we were leaving my daughter. I bawled like a branded calf.
ReplyDeleteWonderful, Lacie.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who had a son born with severe disabilities. I've always been inspired by how she had the courage to encourage him to live his life fully. He's in his early 20s now and just the other day, I saw him walking alone down the street. I can't even describe what an amazing accomplishment that is and I have to credit her for making him know he could succeed.
Thanks for sharing this inspiring story!
Hi Ladies! Thanks for stopping by and crying with me. ;) I love a feel-good story. Glad you enjoyed this one!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, Lace! That was awesome! I wonder the same things...why God still hangs in there with me when I repeat the same junk over and over. Gotta love grace. Fantastic, stirring post!
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