Nashville to Louisville to Mt Vernon
"This is my command- be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
 |
| The Route |
Mom & Dad, Hubs & I joined the body of Christ at
Harpeth Hills Church of Christ this morning. A man whose name I’m unsure of,
but can be adequately identified as Connor’s Dad, spoke this morning of his
family’s struggle through the death of his son. He made us repeat several times
and in several ways that
God is Good All
the Time, All the Time God is Good. “So, then why did God let my son die?”
He pushed on by saying that you learn a lot about living in the dying. He spoke
candidly of his anger at God and his questions of God. He taught a new
perspective on Job and about pain being shaped by faith, not erased by it. He
talked about his life being recalibrated, his perspective being refined, and
the differences experienced before and after his son’s passing. His definition of
a bad day was transformed, his pain meter was altered, what he spent money on
restructured, recycling became irrelevant, and the illusion of control exposed.
Saying “we’ll do it later” suddenly seemed arrogant. In our pain, church can be
lonely, family can be disconnected, and prayers can be answered in ways we
didn’t want. Connor’s mom & dad conceded to the ministry of trafficked
children in Ghana. Showing a picture of a rescued child wearing a t-shirt with
the logo for the organization,
Connor’s
Song, this sweet, struggling man spoke of the pride he feels seeing a child
bearing the image of his son and challenged us to never take lightly praying in
the name of Jesus. Through tears, he spoke of joy in knowing the redemption of
others found in the wake of his personal tragedy. He knows God is never tired
of seeing us bear the image of His Son and is never soothed of seeing us hurt.
He has delivered us by the blood of Jesus, so let us recognize the sacredness
of bearing His image and speaking His name. There is suffering & sacrifice
in that name. Connor’s dad pleaded with us to give thanks for daily bread and,
“Surrender to the Rescue”. His testimony was heavy and healing. It is one of
those things you walk away from and can’t quite shake.
We left the building and went straight to Maw Maw &
Popey’s for the Thompson / Hopkins Sunday lunch. The food, a “Best Of Maw
Maw’s” compilation was so delicious. You know how you expect something to be
awesome, and while it’s not surprising when it actually is exactly as awesome
as you thought it would be, it totally is surprising at the same time? Maw
Maw’s lunch is one of those “normal” events that is “home” for us- one of those
that leaves you in danger of taking it for granted, but the sentiment of
knowing it’s not the norm anymore reveals its utter glory. I already mentioned
that MM & Popey had moved out of the house they had built and lived in for
27 years, but Sunday lunch isn’t a place. We missed having Shannon &
Sophie there this time, but Sunday lunch is the fellowship of family & food
that brings us all together. Needless to say, I boo-hooed and hugged both MM
& Popey at least three times each on the way out.
 |
| Out Front at the New Place |
 |
| Full. |
Our last minutes at Mom & Dad’s and our last stop at Lea
Anne’s was a packing & loading detail for our long haul to come. Our
goodbyes weren’t super tearful or dramatic- more of a “see-you-soon,
call-me-tonight” kind of thing.
So, we left Nashville and hurried into Louisville to join a
cheering crowd in downtown. We arrived and waited for our athlete after updates
from Kari and my dad who were tracking his progress throughout the day. After a
2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile marathon, Hubs’ dad, Mike, is an
Iron Man. Last night, at 54-years-old, he finished his first triathlon.
 |
| Finish Line on Fourth Street |
 |
| The Last Leg |
 |
| Hubs is so Proud! |
 |
| Iron Mike with Me & Jess |
 |
| Finisher. |
See Pictures of Mike at Ironman Louisville 2013 by clicking this link: My Photos | FinisherPix
Once again, I implore you,
IT IS NEVER TOO LATE. You guys.
Andrew’s parents are strapping on the boots of bravery (or rather backpacks
& tri-bikes) to do things they’ve never done, and maybe never thought
they’d do. But they decided to do it, and they did. I don’t think they realize
how inspiring they are. They aren’t the first to take those steps across that
college campus or across that finish line, but you don’t have to be a
trailblazer to be influential. You don’t have to have your stuff figured out. You
don’t have to know what you’re doing or if you even can. If they can, we can. You
just have to have the courage to choose the direction you want to go and take
the first step. Both Lea Anne & Mike were nervous, and it’s a struggle take
the class and train for the race. But they are proud because they are doing it
and are enjoying the journey. So, sign-up, volunteer, go to that event, apply
for the job, or drive that trip to Alaska. Face the fear, say you’re sorry,
fight for what / who you love. Take the first step. Raise the white flag.
Surrender to the rescue. It’s not too late.
No comments:
Post a Comment