This story really got me. It's the story of a man named Rick Van Beek who (last weekend) in Michigan finished a triathlon carrying, pushing, and pulling his 13 year old daughter Maddie. Maddie has cerebral palsy and functions on a level equivalent to a 3 month old. She can't walk or speak. Doctors and her family are not even sure she knows what's going on around her most of the time. But Rick insists she loves the water and being outside.
The video link from You Tube included below is a little shaky. But when you realize that the video was taken by his SON -- gulp -- the gravity of how this dad gave himself away takes on a new meaning. It took the better part of the day yesterday for me to get a handle on my emotions because the image of Jesus carrying the cross in my mind is so similar to this man carrying his daughter through a triathlon. And to hear the son cheering for his dad and sister the entire way through the video...wow!!
There are so many times in my life that I can remember choosing to not give myself away. Not only struggling to give myself away, but making the extra effort of offer my SAVIOR to someone else. Can you imagine the strength it takes to run a triathlon by yourself? Let alone the burn of pushing, pulling, and carrying your child? I hope I'll be the kind of dad today that's willing to find the experience that makes a difference in the life of my family.
