"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning." Daniel 2:20-21
Sometimes our lives can change in an instant. No one knows that better than twin sisters Nichole and Jennifer Rider. They had been running together since middle school to prepare for track meets where they competed side by side. But one day in November 1995, when the pair was in college, Nichole was the victim of a car accident that left her paralyzed from the neck down. In an instant, both their lives were changed. Perhaps there is no greater reminder that God is in charge than when we cannot change our circumstances. It's then that we have a choice... we can give up or we can press on. We can either embrace this new period in our life or mourn the passing of the old one. Whatever our decision, another day will pass and soon another season.
At last week's Miami Half Marathon - 20 years after Nichole's accident - the sisters ran together again. Jennifer and her friend Janeen Jones tag-teamed pushing Nichole in a jogging chair across the finish line to mark their first half marathon. They were running as part of Thumbs Up International, a group founded to pair up able-bodied athletes with those unable to achieve their running, biking or swimming goals on their own. However, as much as Nichole embraced the thrill of being in a race with thousands of people to cheer them on, deep down she wanted to be running herself. "After the fact, it was hard emotionally," Nichole said. "One thing I miss is running, and I wanted to be out there running instead of being pushed. When you're an athlete, you want to compete." And compete she will - by God's grace, Nichole regained enough feeling in her hands and legs to return to an active lifestyle and racing...just a bit differently. She is planning to compete in the handcycle division at the next year's race and is considering a 10k in May. http://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/twin-pushes-disabled-sister-at-miami-half-marathon
Talk about taking life's lemons and turning them into lemonade. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:" Perhaps you're facing a new season in your life? You too have a choice. What will it be?
Heavenly Father, thank you for reminders that you are ultimately in control of everything... our lives, the seasons, and everything that happens. May we look to you to guide us through it all and, when unexpected things happen to change our lives may we continue to look to you. I pray we trust you completely in whatever we are going through today. If we can't change our circumstances, please help us to change our attitude. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
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Selah - Through it all
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