A REAL FATHER AT THE '92 OLYMPICS

     Father's Day will be in 2 weeks and I do plan on writing about my Dad but not until next week. I did want to write about an amazing event that took place at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. The athlete I will be writing about did not win any medals, although he was favored  to win his event. I am referring to Derek Redmond. Derek Redmond was not a household name before these Olympics Games began. What took place in his life in August 1992 not only touched many hearts, it made A LOT of people cry.

     Derek was a track and field athlete who represented Great Britain. His specialty race was the 400 meter sprint. He won many world championships but he had one goal in mind in 1992. He wanted desperately to win a gold medal at the Olympics. During each qualifying round, he ran extremely well. On August 3, 1992 his life would change forever. It was the day he ran in the semifinals for the 400 meters. The race began very well for Derek and he was building up amazing momentum. Then it happened! About 250 meters short of the finish line, Derek felt a pop in his leg. He tore his hamstring. While all the other runners continued, Derek fell to the track in excruciating pain. Medics ran out to the track with a stretcher to help Derek to the sidelines. Derek refused! He wanted to finish the race! As Derek hobbled along to try to finish the race, a man with a white hat ran next to him. It was his Father! Derek's Father ran past security guards for one reason. To be there for his son.
With Derek's arm wrapped around his father, together they crossed the finish line. They finished the race! The crowd honestly could care less who won that race. Their eyes were glued on Derek and his Dad. As they both crossed the finish line, they received a standing ovation. According to Olympic records, Derek Redmond was credited with a "DNF" for that race. Did Not Finish. We all know that is not true. He certainly finished that race with the help of his loving Father.

     I have preached messages about this story twice. Once at a Royal Rangers Father's Day dinner and once at a Christian school chapel. Every time I think about this story, I can't help but think about my Heavenly Father. There have been so many times in life I was trying to run the race of life. Many times I fell. Many times I was injured. There were also many times I didn't want to finish. Each time my Heavenly Father picked me up and helped me cross the finish line. He guided me along the way each step along the way. He never ever gave up on me. There is certainly life application with the Derek Redmond story, that's for sure. Hebrews 12 tells us to "run the race that is set before us and fix our eyes on Jesus." He is there to run with us every single day!

SEE YOU ALL NEXT WEEK!