God's Coaching #122

God's Coaching #122

Fifteen-year-old Rick Hoyt came home from school and asked his dad if they could run a five-mile race together to benefit a local college student who had been paralyzed in a car accident. There’s nothing odd about that—until you discover that Rick was a quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. He couldn’t control most of the muscles in his body and was confined to a wheelchair. Rick had to type out his question to his dad on a special computer that allowed him to select letters by the slightest motion of his head.

Rick’s father, Dick, agreed. He had never run a race before, but he ran that race pushing Rick’s wheelchair. It changed their lives forever. Rick loved the race. He told his dad that when they ran, he didn’t feel disabled. That was in 1977. Since then Team Hoyt has completed more than 1,000 endurance events around the world, including marathons and Ironman triathlons. What kept them going? The delight of a son and the love of a father. Many people thought Dick should have started a solo career in endurance sports. If he could go so fast pushing and pulling his middle-aged son, think how fast he could go alone! Not a chance. Dick said he only did it because of Rick. His only motivation was a father’s incredible love for his son.

What’s the Score?

Team Hoyt is an inspiring example of a father’s love and dedication. But even more amazing is that it doesn’t even come close to the love God has for us. God loves us so much that he sent his own Son to die on the cross for us (John 3:16). There’s no reason God had to call us his children—except his love caused him to do just that. We can’t imagine how much God loves us. He could have chosen to be an almighty ruler who controlled us like a bunch of robots. Instead, “see how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1). Isn’t it awesome to be one of God’s children?

On the Ball

Your earthly father isn’t perfect, but he probably loves you more than you understand. Connect with him today. Ask him to do something fun together. Call or Skype him if he’s far away, and set up a long-distance project you can do together: maybe reading the same book or creating a video together.

Coach’s Comment

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! 1 John 3:1