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May 16, 2009
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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
When Heroes Walk, by Phil Ware
It was years ago, but I remember it as if it were yesterday. He was
young. Too young to have to deal with this -- just 19 or 20. I saw him
as he approached the busy intersection near a mall in northwest Austin.
He walked with one arm swinging wildly, dragging a leg, as he went. I
had seen the gait before ... at the hospital ... in the physical
therapy wing ... with stroke victims. He caught my eye because I had
known a young man who had gone through the ordeal just a few years
before and walked with a similar gait.
My fear, and the reason that I pulled off to the side of the road and
watched without being noticed, was that he wouldn't make it across the
busy 7 lanes of traffic during the time allotted by the light. But as
the light turned green and the crosswalk light image glowed green for
"walk," he took off in frenzied and rush tempo.
I found myself holding my breath as the crosswalk light image flashed
yellow and then switched to the "do not walk" image. A few seconds
later, just a breath or two before the light changed and the traffic
began to flow again, he grabbed the light pole to catch his breath,
safe on the other side. I realized that he had done this before and had
the timing down perfectly. He was exhausted, but he was walking ... and
living ... on his own.
Sometimes, the real heroes walk. Soaring on wings like eagles and
running and not growing weary make great posters. But here, bent over
resting against the stoplight standard was someone who refused --
despite great hardships and difficulties -- to give up. He just kept
walking. He was the one who would "walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:30-31).
The real heroes are the ones who just keep walking.
I don't know where you are in your own personal challenges. I don't
know what hardships you are facing right now. From messages I receive
from our readers, I know some face challenges that have caused others
to throw in the towel. And so today, my prayer is that you will just
keep walking! Sometimes, oftentimes, the real heroes are the ones who
just keep walking.
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My blog has a video and a parallel message to this. I want to encourage
you to take the time to let that video inspire you! You can find it
here:
http://www.thephilfiles.com/2009/05/15/give-us-today/
You might just want to pass it along to someone who needs to know that
each day you are praying that they can walk on!
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(c) 2009 Phil Ware <phil@heartlight.org>. All rights reserved.
RELATED LINKS:
* Falling on Our Face
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200602/20060227_onface.html
* Less is More
http://www.heartlight.org/two_minute/2m_980401_lessismore.html
* Give Us Today ...
http://www.thephilfiles.com/2009/05/15/give-us-today/
* Southern Hills Church of Christ
http://www.southernhillschurch.org
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200905/20090516_heroeswalk.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
IF YOU WANT TO WALK ON WATER YOU'VE GOT TO GET OUT OF THE BOAT, by John Ortberg
John Ortberg invites you to consider the incredible potential that
awaits you outside your comfort zone, out on the risky waters of faith.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?257
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
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