“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength.” Isaiah 40:29

The Race

Last year, I turned 70! As I approached this birthday, my heart was full of so many things in thinking of God’s goodness and faithfulness. I thought of a dozen or more things to say—so many things I wanted to share. It was hard to narrow it down to just one thing.

Then a few days ago a friend reminded me of a video (attached to this devotional). It captures what was in my heart. I cried my way through it a few times. It reveals the “Father’s” heart in such a poignant way.

This father, Dick Hoyt, had a disabled son. He had been born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. He was severely handicapped. The doctors encouraged the parents to put him in an institution. Instead, they tried to do as many normal things with him as possible. They were able to develop a machine that helped him communicate with his eyes and a movement of his head.

One day he told his dad he wanted to run in a race. The father trained and ran the race with his disabled son. Then they did a marathon, then triathlons, then a 3770-mile cross-country trek—with dad pushing, pulling, and carrying his son. Rick, the son, said when they ran, he didn’t feel handicapped. Their journey continued for many years. As of three years ago, they had competed in over 1100 races.

I could so identify with this story. It’s such an example God’s grace. God has carried me, pushed me, pulled me day after day during this unexpected journey we’ve been on. He has gotten me through so many “races” that I could have never managed on my own. Challenges, challenging circumstances, that seemed utterly impossible to me—He has helped me make it through them. I stand in awe of His goodness to me. I bow my heart in worship and gratitude.

Billy Graham said “the will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.” We have walked minute by minute through His will for us in this season thanks to His sustaining grace. He has been so faithful.

I was sharing verses that have helped me during this season with some friends recently. I had a list of about 50 of them, and was still going. There are so many promises in His Word of how He will help us in hard times, in suffering. He gave us these promises to hold onto when it’s tough. And every one of them are so true! He’s with us each day, each hour, each minute, each second. He never leaves our side. He continually holds our hand.

He gives grace to endure in the absence of healing. He gives grace to endure sickness and pain. He gives grace to endure any hardship, anything we may be facing. He will help us!

“Father, I’m grateful, and I’m thankful, though the future is unknown. I step out holding Your hand. Amen.”

 Click here to watch “A Father’s Amazing Love.”