red-carded

This past weekend I was helping out at the breast cancer walk here as a podiatric/medical guy. There were people with sprained ankles, and twisted knees, and good 'ol blisters. It was busy, but it was fun talking to people. There was one patient that we saw that we had to "red card". That's when a patient's injury is significant enough that we can't allow them to continue the race (for their safety). As I was examining this patient, it was apparent that she had a tendinitis in her foot, but she also had a focal pain in the bottom of her foot that seemed to resemble a fracture. So I called over one of the sports medicine doctors for a second opinion, and he said that it might be a fracture. So he decided to red card her. At this point, the patient just broke down in tears right in front of me. I had no idea what to say. Thank God 2 of her friends were there to encourage her - telling her that she had raised money for a good cause and that she did the best she could. I never realized how important it was for people to finish the walk. They train for months. And to not be able to finish the race is devestating for them. This patient in particular had children that were coming from 6 hours away to see her cross the finish line. And now they wouldn't be able to. Finishing was important to her, and she wasn't able to finish because she got red carded by us. Afterwards we went to talk to the sports medicine doctor and we were able to talk him into allowing the patient to walk the last mile so at least she could cross the finish line. If the x-rays were clear, she could walk the rest of the way too if she could stand the pain. So that seemed to lift her spirits up a little. Reminded me of one of my favorite stories - Footprints in the Sand. When we are at our lowest, God is there to carry us through.

This whole situation got me thinking about finishing the walk of life. How important is it for me to finish well? How much am I training? Is there anything in my life that is going to get me red-carded? Is there anything that will prevent me from walking my best? I am guilty of falling so many times in terms of training my mind, body, and soul. I have been red-carded many times in my life. But it is amazing grace that allows me to continue to walk. It is Jesus who carries me through the walk and who will help me finish well.

Footprints in the Sand by Mary Stevenson

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, You said that once I decided to follow you, You'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me." The Lord replied, "My son, My precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I Carried You."

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
~1 Cor 9:25