How I became a turkey!
In 1982, I became a Christian.
In 1995, I became a husband.
In 1999, I became a father.
In 2002, I became a runner.
Early in 2002, my wife Martha had major surgery to correct some complications from her battle with Crohn’s disease. During her recovery, I watched her as she struggled to ‘allow’ people to help her. We know now that God was slowing her down. He wanted her to discover Him in new and exciting ways. She began to use this time to memorize scripture. What very well could have been the darkest, saddest time of her life, she used to glorify her Creator by hiding His word in her heart.
“I want to do that! I can do that!”
I was so impressed by her resolve and outlook, I wanted to copy her. I began to get up early each day to memorize the book of Philippians. But, each day as I awoke I found other ‘pressing’ activities to fill my time. I needed to read the paper. I desired to check my email. I started to catch up on writing some letters. It was imperative that I pay some bills. I tried for a month, but rarely got around to memorizing scripture.
“I need to get out of here.”
I told myself. With all the urgent items on my “ToDo List” I would never get to my goal. Memorial Day, 2002, I stepped out the door for my first 40 minute walk. I had with me a tape of the NIV version of Philippians. I wanted to start with Chapter 2. Over and over again, I would listen to Chapter 2 verses 3 through 5: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” These verses became the foundation of my life and the standard by which I would make decisions.
I now read the Bible with new ‘eyes’:
Hebrews 12:1 says: Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
The STANDARD
The race before us is already set out. God sets the standard for the race. He directs our steps. He knew my wife would have surgery. He knew our family would go through difficult times. He knew where the hurdles and obstacles were before I even knew they existed.
SETTING the pace
Sometimes, God wants us to GO! He says to go to all the world. But, sometimes God wants us the slow down (even stop). “Be still” he says so that we will know Him and so the whole world will know Him. He knew we needed to slow down to find his power at work.
How we run it is up to us. We are to run with endurance. Endurance comes with training. Endurance comes with DAILY walking with God.
How is your spiritual endurance?
Over the last several years, my prayer walks (and runs) have had a positive effect on several areas of my life:
• I memorized the first two chapters of Philippians.
• I lost over seventy pounds.
• I am closer to my brother Keith than I have ever been. We run several times a week and have run in two marathons together.
• I raised over $4000 for Leukemia research.
• I have run races to benefit arthritis research, the Blue Ridge Autism Center and a college scholarship fund.
• I started a “Get Fit” running club at my school, where I have witnessed my students running over 2000 miles.
In November 2006, I became a turkey.
I ran as a turkey in the “Drumstick Dash”, a new 5K race to benefit the Roanoke Rescue Mission in Downtown Roanoke. On Thanksgiving Day at 9 AM, I waddled through downtown. I did not run alone. I waddled with over 1500 others as we “Moved our feet so others can eat.” All the money (over $100,000) from the race went straight to spiritually feeding those around Roanoke who will need it the most. I did not have my usual running clothes on. I was dressed as a turkey! I had a fantastic looking outfit, complete with a Turkey tail made of donated neck ties. (You had to see it to believe it!)
According to their website: The Mission serves more than 900 meals a day; every night, an average of 184 men, women, and children received shelter; last year, over 3,000 families received vouchers for clothing and shoes. The Mission attempts to show "Love in Action" to all it serves and its desire is that this demonstration of Christ's love will bring people to repentance and belief in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
For more info:
Roanoke Rescue Mission
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