“You made it over hurdle one. Now you can look ahead to hurdle two,” my dad said to me after a successful procedure last week. The hurdle ended up being a little taller than we expected creating a little more of a challenge, but never the less by the powerful hand of God and the provision of a great medical team, we made it up and over hurdle one. Knox is still tucked in safe, tight at 26 weeks. One nurse even commented on how beautiful he looked on the monitor. I ended up needing a blood transfusion from blood loss and anemia, but am now back home recovering and doing well. Hurdle one. Done.
Hurdles are one of my favorite races to watch at a track meet. Each hurdler has trained for their race with not only speed drills but they have a calculated cadence to strategically attack each hurdle. The races all look a little different, the heights of hurdles change, the distance of the races vary, but the goal is relatively the same; approach, attack, and get over the hurdle. In my years of coaching or watching track, I have seen races with different results. Some athletes complete the race to win the gold while others have crashed and burned, hard. But whether they win, stumble, or flat out crash, after each race they get back to their training and step up to the starting line again.
After my dad referenced getting over a hurdle, I joked to my mother-in-law, “I may have gotten over a hurdle but I feel like a signed up for the 100-meter hurdles and it’s turned into the collegiate 400-meter hurdles.” I also thought to myself and cried out to God, “I don’t know that I am equipped for this race.” But isn’t that how many trials and tribulations feel? We find ourselves in the midst of a battle, ill-equipped, and the hurdles ahead look never ending.
You most likely are not walking a journey identical to mine, but I know many of you can relate. The race seems long and some of the hurdles just seem impossible to make it over. We grow weary and weak. The conditions around us sometimes don’t seem to help either; emotional turmoil, financial strife, dissension in relationships. I ran in an actual track meet once that started as a warm, sunny morning and by the mile relay, snow was falling (that’s Texas for ya, for those that don’t know lol) Friends, no matter the challenge your hurdle presents or the conditions surrounding your circumstances, it is not our strength or abilities that get us over these hurdles. We have access to a powerful, strong, and mighty God that gets us up and over (Is. 54:17).
In my current circumstances, I am not sure what the next hurdle looks like or how many more there will be. We currently can just wait patiently, in hope and faith, for good results and plans from my team of doctors. But I do know this much, all I can do is take it one step, one hurdle at a time. If I happen to crash and burn, I’ll get back up and approach it again. If I make it over smoothly, I’ll rejoice and prepare for the next hurdle or the next race.
Whether it’s you or me, sweet friend, we will never fully know the challenge of the hurdles in our path, but we can do what all good hurdlers do approach, attack, and get over the hurdle.
Approach: One step, one hurdle at a time
“We are surrounded by a great cloud of people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up..”Hebrews 12:1a NCV
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 NCV
“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will…Hebrews 13:20-21a
Attack: Use the right strategy
“Put on the full armor of God so that you can fight against the devil’s evil tricks. Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. That is why you need to put on God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.” Ephesians 13-6:11 NCV
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NLT
Get Over the Hurdle: Let go, Let God
“My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let you be defeated. He who guards you never sleeps.” Psalms 3-121:2 NCV
““I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble, but be brave! I have defeated the world.”” John 16:33 NCV
Kirby and I are so grateful for each of your prayers and support. We continue to pray and ask the Lord to use our journey to help and encourage those that are in need too!
Blessings, dear friends!