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Tuesday's Grand Connection Thought
by Mary May Larmoyeux
by Mary May Larmoyeux
If you’re like me, you probably enjoy watching the Olympics. And I never tire of the stories about Olympic greats Eric Liddell and Vanderiei de Lima.
Liddell, who was portrayed in Chariots of Fire, was a committed Christian. He refused to run the 100 meter race on a Sunday in the 1924 Olympics. However, he later ran in the 400 meter event and surprised the world when he won. It is said that he was given a slip of paper before his 400 meter race with a quotation from 1 Samuel 2:30, “Those who honor me I will honor.”
Like Liddell, de Lima has become somewhat of a legend himself. In the 2004 Olympic games in Athens, Greece, he appeared to be on his way to becoming the first Brazilian to win an Olympic gold medal in the men’s marathon event. However, less than five miles before the finish line, a spectator intentionally pushed him into the crowd. Amazingly, de Lima did not give up. He continued the race and finished with a bronze medal.
De Lima said that he was “happy” to have won the bronze medal. From the videotape that I watched, it appeared that he didn't focus on what could have been. Instead he was grateful for what he had somehow accomplished. The 2004 International Olympic Committee awarded him the Pierre de Coubertine medal for sportsmanship. Although de Lima did not win the gold, his example made him an instant celebrity in Brazil.
If I had been Lindell, I wonder if I would have had his courage to refuse to race on Sunday. And if I had been de Lima, I probably would have spent a lot time complaining about what could have been.
What’s all of this have to do with grandchildren? Like de Lima, our grandkids are going to have disappointment in life. And, of course, we grandparents don't like that. When my grandkids' hearts are broken, I have to remember that God is always in control. The very disappointments that our grandkids experience, may be stepping stones to God's best for their lives.
I want to tell my grands the stories of overcomers like Liddell and de Lima … and Joshua and the apostle Paul. I want to not only help them memorize the words from 1 Samuel 2:30 "Those who honor me I will honor," but also help them apply these words to the unique race God has for each of their lives.
And I want to apply those words to my life, too.
How do you help your grandkids to trust God in the disappointments of their lives?
He is able,
Mary
co-author of The Grand Connection: 365 Ways to Connect with Your Grandchild's Heart
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
© Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.
© Byron Moore / Dreamstime.com
Liddell, who was portrayed in Chariots of Fire, was a committed Christian. He refused to run the 100 meter race on a Sunday in the 1924 Olympics. However, he later ran in the 400 meter event and surprised the world when he won. It is said that he was given a slip of paper before his 400 meter race with a quotation from 1 Samuel 2:30, “Those who honor me I will honor.”
Like Liddell, de Lima has become somewhat of a legend himself. In the 2004 Olympic games in Athens, Greece, he appeared to be on his way to becoming the first Brazilian to win an Olympic gold medal in the men’s marathon event. However, less than five miles before the finish line, a spectator intentionally pushed him into the crowd. Amazingly, de Lima did not give up. He continued the race and finished with a bronze medal.
De Lima said that he was “happy” to have won the bronze medal. From the videotape that I watched, it appeared that he didn't focus on what could have been. Instead he was grateful for what he had somehow accomplished. The 2004 International Olympic Committee awarded him the Pierre de Coubertine medal for sportsmanship. Although de Lima did not win the gold, his example made him an instant celebrity in Brazil.
If I had been Lindell, I wonder if I would have had his courage to refuse to race on Sunday. And if I had been de Lima, I probably would have spent a lot time complaining about what could have been.
What’s all of this have to do with grandchildren? Like de Lima, our grandkids are going to have disappointment in life. And, of course, we grandparents don't like that. When my grandkids' hearts are broken, I have to remember that God is always in control. The very disappointments that our grandkids experience, may be stepping stones to God's best for their lives.
I want to tell my grands the stories of overcomers like Liddell and de Lima … and Joshua and the apostle Paul. I want to not only help them memorize the words from 1 Samuel 2:30 "Those who honor me I will honor," but also help them apply these words to the unique race God has for each of their lives.
And I want to apply those words to my life, too.
How do you help your grandkids to trust God in the disappointments of their lives?
He is able,
Mary
co-author of The Grand Connection: 365 Ways to Connect with Your Grandchild's Heart
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
© Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.
© Byron Moore / Dreamstime.com
4 comments:
Interesting that you should mention Eric Lidell, the church, Greenacres, which we attended in Tyler, Texas a couple Sunday's ago, told the story about Eric and the Bible reference. The Pastor David Dykes writes about him in his blog fromthepasture.blogspot.com/ Pastor Dykes has a real interesting blog.
I have enjoyed asking the Grands what Olympians they enjoyed watching the most. It has been pretty interesting. I am so glad they were so interested and watched so much of it. One of the better programs on TV. There is also a book, "The Goal and the Glory, of Christian Oympics that I ordered for the kids to read
about christian athletes. I have been reading another book that states what kids need more than anything from us is our TIME. Thanks Mary for listening. Elaine
Hi, Elaine. Thanks for leaving a comment. I read Pastor Dykes' blog and it was interesting to read about Jesse Owens and Eric Liddell. And thanks for passing info. about the book--it sounds good!
One of my favorite quotes: "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure? (Eric Liddell).
Karen, thanks for reminding us about the Eric Liddell quote. It is a great one to remember!
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