Mike was a police officer. Joanne was a nurse.
They birthed children, fostered children, adopted children.
Special needs.
Mike and Joanne played soccer in college. Their kids played practically from the time they could walk.
Mike and Joanne coached.
They lived life on the run. Church activity to church activity. Doctor to doctor. Game to game. Goal to goal.
Then Ben began to run. Away from the family. Into trouble. Back home to steal money or a car.
To run some more. Away from the law.
A black blanket billowed over Mike. He burrowed under. Grateful for the insulation.
One day Mike and Joanne argued. Over some small something.
Joanne ran to the store.
And Mike ran.
Joanne found him an hour later. Behind the house. With his gun next to him.
And the weight of his pain fell on her.
And she ran, pounded pavement. And the pounds melted. And the weight fell away, leaving a bony frame that enclosed an empty shell of life once known.
She clawed her way from under the darkness.
But still she runs.
Without a goal.
A young man once ran. To chase the ways of the world. To find his fortune.
And his father waited. Watched. Until he saw him in the distance. Coming home.
And he ran to him.
“I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward–to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.” Philippians 3:13-14 (Message)
Interesting isn't it how we are told to stand and yet run at the same time …
I almost can't comment, this huts so.
@Susan: And to fight and yet let Him fight.
@Kelly: We can choose hope–or not. Depends on how we choose to run. Or stand.
I agree with your comment re: choice to hope or not, to run or stand… however, reading your story made my heart shudder. How many times in my life have I run and not "stood" or froze solidly in my tracks and not been able to put a foot forward? My main prayer over these past couple of years: Only YOU!!! It's not necessarily related to family or close friends, but our over-all cultural strife and sadness and lack of love for our Father. And who can pull me/us through? My prayer: ONLY YOU!!
@caryjo: Yes, it's a horrible story. We can get sucked into dark holes of mental anguish that medication can't reach, even when we're stretching our arms up so high it feels like the skin and sinews will tear. And sometimes we sink into a spiritual hole and pull our arms down with us. And He stretches out His arm–and waits.
I pray with you: Only You!
Painful story. Beautifully told.