Running With Love

Running with Love

Bible Blast: Read John 15:12-13

If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Ecclesiastes 4:10 (NIV)

Derek Redmond was a fast runner. He hoped to make his dreams come true and win a medal in the 400-meter race at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Korea, but just minutes before his race he had to back out because of an injury. He had to undergo five surgeries to heal it.

So when an opportunity came for Derek to participate in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, he was pumped and ready to show the world just how fast he was. His dad, Jim, who is also Derek’s very best friend, went with him, just as he always had done for all his son’s races. When it came time for the 1992 Olympics, they agreed that, no matter what happened, Derek would finish his race.

On the day of the race that would qualify Derek for the finals, excitement was high in the Olympic stadium. Derek had a really strong start to the race. His dad watched from the stands, knowing his son was going to qualify and have a shot at a medal.

Derek was not far from the finish line when he heard a “pop” from his right hamstring muscle. He fell to the ground, and medical teams ran to help him. They wanted to put Derek on a stretcher to get him off the track, but before they could get to him, he stood and began slowly limping his way to the finish line. The crowd went wild cheering for Derek.

When Jim saw his son fall, he started making his way down through the stands, doing whatever he could to get to Derek. He got past security guards to reach his son. He put his arm around Derek’s waist and said, “We’ll finish this.”

Father and son slowly made their way to the goal. When they got a couple of steps away from the finish, Jim let go of Derek and let him cross the line by himself. Then he held his son as they both cried on each other’s shoulders.

Later, Jim said, “I’m the proudest father alive. I’m prouder of him than I would have been if he had won the gold medal. It took a lot of guts for him to do what he did.”

Girl Gab: Do something special for your dad today or for someone who’s like a father to you. Take time now to pray for him.