A Middle School Essay on Mile Marker 825

I often substitute teach at a Christian school in St. Louis.  It turns out that my book, Mile Marker 825, is on their "suggested reading list."  Pretty cool, right?!  Anyway, I love subbing there, and have gotten to know a lot of the students.  Recently, one of the middle school kids wrote an essay on my book, and I saw a copy.  My eyes watered while reading it... literally.  It's stuff like this that make me not care that my book is never a NY Times best-seller!

I hope this 7th grade girl's essay encourages you too.

I read the book Mile Marker 825. I don't even know where to start. I was taught so much, and
brought closer in my relationship with God. Jason D. Mirikitani is the author of this book. In his
book he shares his tragic story of a car accident, where he suffered terribly and cracks his head
open. He suffered with brain injuries and his wife past next to him. Their daughter Abby wasn't
hurt at all, and Jason's family continues to praise the Lord for her. I have heard Jason tell his
story multiple times and every time it hear it I am so moved and drown my self in tears. As I read
his story he gets more in depth with the tragedy, recovering, and life after.
 
What shocked me was that through all of this being the strong christian he is, Jason
continues to have faith in God. For me this would be so hard, I would question God's reasons for
things. Jason helped build my trust and faithfulness in Christ. Seeing what happened to Jason and
the way he let it affect his life in a positive way made me think of my life.
 
I realized that if anything were to happen to me, instead of giving up hope I should find
things to thank the Lord for the small things he gives me. God blessed Jason with a supporting
family and loving friends. They were always there for him, and without them it would be much
harder to stay strong. Jason knew God had a plan for him, and he doesn't get upset or mad about
what happened in that accident. Instead he uses that to bring others to Christ.
 
Jason could have been really mad at God for taking the life of his young wife Jill, but he
knows God had a specific reason. That doesn't mean he never misses her, or doesn't think of her,
but he doesn't let that bring him down. Now Jason has a new wife and a very happy christian
family. They understand what he went through and are always there for him. Jason is a happy,
funny, successful grown man. If you saw him today, you would never think that he had a tragic
car accident years before.
 
It is a miracle that he is alive today, but God knew that Jason would stay faithful and
blessed him. Jason even had a doctor named, dr. Angel! Tell me that's not amazing! I am so
happy that Jason shared his story with me because now I can spread the word of God's greatness.
God was with Jason when tragedy strikes, and he will be there when we have things going on in
our life that trouble us.
 
No one knows what's coming next but God knows. I sometimes ask God, "why did you
let me be adopted? I was happy with my family. Sure they made mistakes, but you could have
made them stop and we could be together. Nothing good will ever come of it, all that it does is
make me sad and miserable." Then when I read Jason's book he taught me that God allows things
to happen so that even better things would come of it. Things may seem confusing and sad right
now but God will stay with you through it all, he understands, and he knows how you are
feeling.
 
Jason is a great example. If God would have let Jason die, I would have never gotten this
close to Christ in my relationship. Lots of people would never think of how good the Lord is to
us. Jason made a big change in my life, and I loved his story. There are so many things he talks
about besides his accident that can impact your life. I feel like God talks right through Jason to
let us know how good he is. He truly is good, and loving.

Roy's Letter to Evan

This week’s Blog is about a friend of mine that I’ve never met face to face, a guy that I respect a lot for how he’s turned a tough situation around, and to the benefit of others as well.  His name is Roy Page, and I met Roy when he was finishing writing his own book manuscript and looking for a good publisher.  So we spoke about my publishing house, Lucid Books.  In the process I learned about his story, which is the content of his book – "A Letter to Evan," how he was a divorced man doing his best to maintain a close and involved relationship in his son’s life.  His website says this:

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Divorce changes everything.  It is disorienting, painful, and disruptive.  One dad steps forward to illustrate how to rise above the destruction of divorce, become a better person, and yes, even a better father to his children.  Roy Page exposes his heart in A Letter to Evan.  What began as an affirmation and instruction for his son has become a journey of healing, growth, and inspiration to men everywhere.

Being a loving, effective parent when you are not a part of your child’s daily life is challenging whether you are a father who travels or is divorced.  Roy Page shares how he has maintained a presence in the lives of his children.  As a man who enjoys hunting, fishing, sailing, and woodworking and possesses a deep desire to share these times of adventure with his son, Roy learns to navigate his extensive travel schedule along with Evan’s hectic baseball schedule to find a way to connect.  Even if it means writing a letter.

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Roy with son Evan

Like I initially said, I sure respect how Roy has taken a really difficult situation and made it extremely productive.  Roy has redeemed a fall, or as it’s been said, he has fallen forward.  So I was honored when Roy asked me if he could blog about me recently.  His blog is similar to mine; it has to do with “second chances.”  I am humbled to read one on myself, but I’ve had friends say I should post his to my friends too.  So here is ROY'S BLOG ON SECOND CHANCES(Click this)

The Miracle Worker

A few weeks ago, I found an old DVD of The Miracle Worker – The Helen Keller Story, and I watched it with my 13 year old daughter, Abby.  We were both moved to tears and so inspired by the courage and persistence of both Helen Keller and her teacher, Annie Sullivan.

You probably already know much of the true story, that Helen was both blind and deaf, and that Ms. Sullivan was miraculously able to teach her to communicate and to read.  I probably had my mouth open during most of the movie as I imagined what it must have really been like for Helen or for Ms. Sullivan!

One part that especially meant a lot to me was when I heard that Ms. Sullivan in her earlier life had been blind herself.  So in some ways she empathized with Helen.  She was something of a wounded healer, a helper with a special motivator.

            

Here is a trailer of The Miracle Worker:  THE MIRACLE WORKER Trailer

Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.  – Helen Keller

The Good Samaritan

This week I'm blogging about a nameless man whose decision in a story told centuries ago has profoundly influenced people for ages:  

The Good Samaritan.

This parable, though found only once in Scripture (Luke's gospel), has become one of the most popular of Jesus' teachings.  

According to Luke 10:29-37, a traveler is beaten, robbed, and left half dead along the road. First a priest and then a Levite come by, but both avoid the man. Finally, a Samaritan comes by. Samaritans and Jews generally despised each other, but the Samaritan helps the injured man, bandages his wounds and takes him to an inn for which he pays. 

Jesus is described as telling the parable in response to a question, "Who is my neighbor?" Leviticus 19:18 tells us to love our neighbor.

Portraying a Samaritan in a positive light would have come as a shock to Jesus' audience of Jews.

The parable has inspired painting, sculpture, poetry, and film. and it still inspires people to love others as it originally taught.

The colloquial phrase "good Samaritan", meaning someone who helps a stranger, derives from this parable, and today, various hospitals and charitable organizations are named after the Good Samaritan:  For example,   Samaritan's Purse

Derek Redmond - A Father's Helps His Son

In 1992, half my life ago, I saw an Olympic moment that caught the attention of the world, one that stole my heart as I watched a father's compassion for his injured son who would persevere through pain and injury to complete what he had started.  It was truly phenomenal - Derek Redmond, a British runner, was competing in the 400 meters when he pulled his hamstring as he rounded the final turn.  Instead of quitting after he had fallen, he rose back to his feet and hobbled and hopped, trying to complete the remaining 100 meters even though the other competitors had already finished.

Meanwhile, an older gentleman had somehow made his way onto the track, it was Mr. Redmond, Derek's father who had hurried past security guards to assist his injured son.  When he asked Derek what he was doing, Derek replied, "I have to finish."  "Then we'll do it together," said dad, scooping Derek's arm over his shoulder.  And together they did something in a few minutes that normally takes a few seconds, but those minutes captured the hearts of the world.

It was truly unforgettable.

If you missed it, here's a link of the video - Derek Redmond & father finish Olympic race together

Team Hoyt

This week's 2^nd Wind blog story might amaze you.  It's father and son duo, Team Hoyt, composed of Dick and Rick Hoyt who together have competed in countless marathons and triathalons.  What makes this story so remarkable is that Rick has cerebral palsy, and during competition Dick pulls Rick in a special boat as they swim, carries him in a special seat in the front of a bicycle, and pushes him in a special wheelchair as they run!

Rick was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth after his umbilical cord became twisted around his neck, which caused the blockage of oxygen flow. As a result, his brain cannot send the correct messages to his muscles. Even though many doctors encouraged the Hoyts to institutionalize Rick, his parents held on to the hope that Rick would function normally since his eyes would follow them around the room.

Team Hoyt

Team Hoyt began in 1977 when Rick became inspired by an article on racing he saw in a magazine. Dick Hoyt was not a runner and was nearly 37 years old. After their first race Rick said, “Dad, when I’m running, it feels like I’m not handicapped.”
As of April 2013, the Hoyts had competed in 1,077 endurance events, including 70 marathons and six Ironman triathlons. Adding to their list of achievements, Dick and Rick biked and ran across the U.S. in 1992, completing a full 3,735 miles in 45 days.
They also compete in triathlons. For the swim portion of the triathlon, Dick uses a rope attached to his body to pull Rick sitting in a boat. For the cycle portion, Rick rides on the front of a specially designed tandem bike. For the run portion, Dick pushes Rick in his wheelchair.

Rick turns 51 in 2013 and Dick 73. As they speak and travel more, they are racing less. At the beginning of their career, they participated in 50 races per year but now aim for 20-25 races per year. They still say they don't see an end in sight yet.
Team Hoyt gives hope, encouragement, and inspiration to thousands. 
Together, they have caught a 2^nd Wind and they are helping others catch one as well.

The USA Always Comes Back

I can't let this day get by without saying that our country always comes back.  For many reasons including this one, I'm proud to be an American!

 

This song pays tribute to what happened many years ago on 9/11 - 

Alan Jackson - When the World Stopped Turning

42 - A Testimony of Courage

"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do. "
- spoken by Atticus Finch, by Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

This week's blog focuses on a necessary component in one catching a 2^nd wind, and that is the characteristic of courage... a person needs courage to keep on going when he/she would rather quit.  Let me explain.

Last month I saw “42,” the Jackie Robinson story, and I was so inspired by both Jackie Robinson, the star baseball player and by Branch Rickey, his general manager, men who showed tremendous courage throughout the entire film.  (I should admit that I saw “42” three times in 2 weeks (!)... once with my wife, one time I showed it to the young adults at the church where I'm a minister, and one time we did a “family movie night”...my kids watched it with us).

As everyone knows, Mr. Robinson was the first black baseball player in the Major Leagues in the mid-40's, and he faced daily threats and criticisms wherever he went both verbally, by mail, from fans, players (even some from his own teammates!), managers, etc.  Mr. Rickey was also attacked by his peers for walking this new and narrow road.  At one point, the movie shows two or three folders full of hate letters written to Robinson threatening attacks on him and his family, something that was shocking to teammate Pee Wee Reese.

One of my favorite quotes was when Branch Rickey confronted Robinson about his hot temper. He possessed the talent, but his temper could throw everything they were working toward away. He went on to tell the young man, “It takes guts not to fight back. It takes guts to turn the other cheek.”

Ouch. It is easy to give a rebuttal to a person’s ignorance, hatred, or discrimination, especially when one believes he or she is justified in the rebuttal. How easy would it have been for Jackie to respond to every racist person who thought it was his duty to demean him and call him hurtful names like, “nigger” and “monkey”? How easy would it have been for him to give into the provocation the others were quick to oblige him with? It takes self-control, discipline, and knowing who your identity and worth to keep from providing a provoked rebuttal. At the end of the day it may feel fine for a second, but did you rebuttal accomplish anything worth it? Turning the other cheek and choosing not to fight takes serious restraint. Can you say that you are capable of practicing that type of restraint today?

You never know who is watching...

Jackie Robinson did not consider himself a hero but ‘little Black boys’ playing baseball at the local parks did. That just goes to show you never know whose life you are affecting. Here Jackie is wanting to play his favorite sport. I am sure he never imagined the long-lasting effect it would have on the culture of America from that time forward. I am positive he never imagined he was changing the world. I can almost guarantee he had no idea he would inspire future businessmen, athletes, presidents to pursue their dreams despite being the first to take the road less traveled.

I think my favorite quote in the whole film was when Robinson would say, “God built me to last.”  And I believe that Rickey said it about him once or twice as well.  For Robinson knew that he was made to endure, that he had to have thick skin and a strong will, that he must press on and overcome obstacles, that his was harder and that he could make it.  Somehow, deep within, he just knew.  I guess he did, because in spite everything that was in his face, he still was Rookie of the Year, leading the Dodgers into post season play, all while maintaining a happy marriage.

Mr. Robinson, I believe caught a 2^nd wind, a 3^rd wind, and several more winds.  His career and his show of courage are an example to us all.

Here is a trailer: "42" trailer 

 

Some words on this blog from http://asktpj.blogspot.com/2013/04/42-film.html?m=1