Never Give Up

Imagine an athlete lying outside a doctor’s office for 38 years, unable to walk because both legs are broken. For nearly 4 decades he waits for his name to be called. Then some guy comes up and says, “You’re next. Do you want to get well?” My first response would be, “Duh! Why do you think I’ve been sitting here for so long?” Then I would probably say something like, “I’ve been here so long I’ve read every sports magazine published since 1970, had 13,870 cups of coffee (one a day), and watched 38 World Series. I’m still waiting for the Cubs to win. Of course I want to be healed!”

How many times have we thought, What do I have to do to get healed? When in reality we should be thinking, What needs to change in my life for me to get better? I can relate to the guy at the pool of Bethesda. As a 52-yearold male, I sat around waiting for healing in my life. I worked 10 hours a day, came home, ate, then watched TV. I was not grossly overweight, but after a 6-year period that included 14 broken bones, 2 heart surgeries, and 2 bouts with kidney stones, I finally said, “I want to be well!”

I started training and in 7 months completed a 15-mile duathlon, two 5ks, one 10k, an 8-miler, one halfmarathon, two triathlons and a half Ironman. I decided that healing is better than lying around.