Hurdle Jumping

One of my favorite memories of childhood is how I used to run. I loved short sprints and dashes so much that I challenged all my friends, and even nieghborhood dogs, to a race. All that practice helped me to get better at something I really enjoyed. So when I started high school I tried out for the track team and I made it. My coach exposed me to hurdle jumping and I loved it! The challenge of actually making it over each hurdle gave me a rush of adrenaline and a sense of satisfaction.

Then it happened, one day, in the middle of a good practice, I learned how hurdles got their name. My toe caught on the next to last hurdle and I went airborne across until I hit the last hurdle which caused me to slide across the track. I was stunned and dazed when I finally came to a halt. My clothes were torn and I was bloody and bruised, both physically and mentally. I expected the questions of concern from my coach, but what I didn't expect was his instructions to get back up and run the race again.

"What, did you see what just happened to me? I can hardly walk and you want me to jump." I responded, less than obediently. Honestly, at that moment I never wanted to set foot on a track lined up with hurdles again. I was terrified! My mind flashed back to the accident and I knew my toe would catch again and the same thing would happen. But my coach had wisdom enough to know that if I didn't jump right then, I would never overcome that seed of fear and it would keep me from doing something I loved.

I don't know how I did it, shaking and bleeding I took my mark and ran the hurdles. Somehow, I managed to fly over each one without any problems. And that little seed of fear was destroyed.

I have thought about that day many times since then, the lesson I learned that day has helped me through the falls of life. Each time I have thought I just can't go on I've been reminded of that day and realize I must get up and I must get back in the race or I'll never run again.

Here on the mission field, and even in the States on deputation, my life has been a hurdle race. So far since we arrived in Uruguay my toe hasn't caught on the board and sent me flying. But when that day comes, as it surely will, I pray that God will give me the strength to stand back up again and I will get back in the race!