My Olympic Memory

The Summer Games always bring up the same memory for me.


12 years ago, when the Olympics were in Atlanta, I went to Church camp in June. I don't remember much specific about the week that makes it stand out except...

The daily "Quiet Time" sheets we were given all had an Olympic theme. One, in particular...



Derek Redmond had trained all his life to run in the Olympics. In 1988, he was about to get his chance but, with minutes until the first heat started Redmond had to pull out of the race with an Achilles injury. After 4 more years of training and thinking of the lost opportunity, Redmond once again prepared to run his race.
Halfway into the race, Derek heard a pop in his leg and felt a shooting pain. Derek fell to the ground, unable to stand, much less run. As he struggled to his feet and began to hop on one foot toward the finish line a man ran out of the crowd. Derek's father Jim broke free from the crowd of 65,000, ran past a security guard and reached out to his son. Together, side by side, Derek and Jim made there way to the finish line.


I didn't see it happen at the time. I have since watched the tape. But 12 years ago I read about it and it impacted me. I think the point of the Devotional sheet was about finishing the race. But, I remember thinking about a father watching his son, wanting to see him succeed and ready to jump out of his seat and get involved in a side-by-side effort with his child that would have never accepted his help before that moment.

It's my opinion, that God sits and waits...wanting nothing more then to give us all the help we could ever need, but we fail to ask and would never accept any help we didn't understand. But God's word tells us...

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (New International Version)
I find the story of Derek and Jim Redmond shows us a picture of a fathers love. And if that's a human father loving his son, how much more will our heavenly father love us.