Where Does My Help Come From?

During the long bus ride to and from Mackinaw City, I had time to talk a little with other parents, hang with Kassi, watch Winn-Dixie, Toy Story, and Despicable Me 2 :) AND, I also got to read a few chapters in a book my mom purchased for me because she knew I liked the Bonhoeffer book so much....THANKS MOM!  The section I finished on the way home was the story of Eric Liddell.  This is one of the Olympic athletes who inspired the movie, Chariots of Fire.  He was favored to win gold in the 100 meter, but the event was being held on a Sunday....so, because of his faith, he refused to run.  His own government pressured him to run and tried many ways to persuade him, but he stood strong in his convictions.  It was amazing that he was then offered a spot to run the 400 meter race the following Thursday by another athlete.  No one thought he could win it because he was a sprinter...plus, he was given a terrible starting position in the very front of all the runners.  He could not watch the other runners to know how to pace himself and he was not used to this length of race.  Even the other runners thought he started out way too fast and would not be able to keep his pace, BUT he did and he ended up winning the gold.  The whole story of his life is pretty amazing...his convictions, how God was able to use him, his faith, his missionary work, and his humility.

Nothing says "I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold" any better than Eric's story!

There are so many things we can take pride in and we have to be careful that we are always glorifying God with our talents.  That does not mean we cannot truly enjoy them...God wants us to find pleasure in them.  But, do we love Him more?  Sometimes in life He may ask us this question.

I have to smile that Eric could say this!

I love to sing and I have always enjoyed it....I share the sentiment Eric describes....that God actually takes pleasure in it when I am using it to glorify Him, but I have really been struggling with my voice since December.  I have been to the Dr several times and we have explored the possibility that I may be struggling with allergies...but, that has not seemed to be the case.  We have explored other possibilities and nothing seems to be helping me regain the power I had in my voice.  I have been getting frustrated because I am always a little hoarse (why do I write that and picture a little horse? :) Anyway, I don't have much umph in my try...so, I have been praying about it because I really miss it.  When we were at the music store to buy Kenna a trumpet....I saw a beautiful cello :)  I asked God if my voice doesn't return with strength if I could learn to play it like the girl in August Rush :)  For now, I am just waiting and sometimes taking a break from leading worship with Brad....but, it's hard....everything in me wants to sing.  When things like this happen, I often look for the lesson....and I think it is about whether I am willing to sacrifice the gift and embrace the giver.

Anyway, Eric Liddell's story is incredibly inspiring!  I didn't know much about it because I was only 5 when the story became famous via the movie, but I have enjoyed reading about his life.  Here are a few more quotes I found inspirational:

I love this one too....and I think it speaks to all of us when we are a little down.

"The first half I ran as fast as I could. The second half I ran faster with God's help."

-Eric Liddell, after recovering from a fall and miraculously winning a race-

So, I am swiftly approaching 40 and most would say that it's mid-life crisis time :)  But, I like what Eric just said in terms of the rest of my race....I'll run the second half with God's help....

He never stumbles!