Johnny Agar and his dad have been doing marathons for years. His dad pushes or pulls Johnny as he runs, bikes or swims. This video shows Johnny walking across the finish line and the announcer yells, “Johnny, you are an ironman!” And yes, I cried.

How amazing it must have been for Johnny to be able to walk across that finish line and be declared an Ironman! He couldn’t have gotten to the finish line without his dad, but the last mile was up to him.

There are some battles we need our community to fight with us and some battles we need to fight on our own.

I have been reading about Teddy Roosevelt, I have always found him interesting. Did you know that at the time of his death he was deaf in one ear, blind in one eye, had a swollen ankle and a bullet in his chest. As a child, Teddy had severe breathing problems and was nearsighted. Because he was so ill and indoors often, he studied nature and his love for learning grew. He never allowed his health and limitations stop him. He went on to have several careers and jobs in his life.

These two men have intersected in my life at a time when I need to be encouraged and reminded that I can not only get through the hard part but I can find joy, success, fulfillment, etc. on the other side of it. Maybe, you can use that reminder too.

We all have hard things we have walked through, are walking through or will walk through. We have scars that tell a story. We have limps that remind us of the fight.

Let me be a part of your community today and remind you that we have hope. We will be alright.

How can I know that without knowing what you are specifically going through? I don’t have a crystal ball to see what our future holds, so how can I have hope that we will be ok?

Because I have seen God be there for me, my family and my friends.
Because Psalm 42 says how even though our tears soak our beds, we can pour out our souls to God and remember being in His presence, we can stir up our hope in God and praise Him, that His love directs me and His Song covers me!
Because Psalm 121 tells me my help comes from the One who made heaven and earth, Who will not let my foot slip, Who watches over me ~ where I go ~ what I do ~ He watches over everything ~ always!
Because 2 Corinthians 12:9 shows Paul being told that God’s grace is all he needs for his weakness. We know Paul was dealing with a health issue, but I also think God means all weaknesses.

I can have hope because of the strength, love and grace of our Living, Loving God!

The fight is real forJohnny every day he cannot walk without assistance, but chooses to get up and face his day anyway.
Teddy knew he was a weak, ill child but he found his strength in studying and not allowing his illness to limit him physically or in any other way.

Yes, there are times we will need to wrestle to hold onto hope in the dark BUT God is there.
And there will be times when people will surround us to help us remember how big God is and remind us that we already survived what we thought would take us out.

So, dear friend, if you are in the hard part of something lift your eyes to God, the maker of everything and know that He sees you, watches over you and loves you!!

Have the most amazing day!
All My Love ~
xo Jodi

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