From walking to running

Angy hasn't heard from the doctor's office yet about whether any of Jackson's other arteries have coarctation. The blood pressure news is that although it was lower when Jackson first started the double dosage of medicine, it's been creeping back up. Of course, it's difficult to get a good reading with him.

But guess what else is up . . . Jackson's energy! The other night, he and Christian ran around and chased each other for a solid hour. Considering that in recent years, Jackson hasn't been able to do much walking without frequent rests, this is a HUGE improvement. What a blessing it was to hear from Angy about him playing with his little brother like most brothers do.

An even bigger blessing was to see the change in Jackson for myself last weekend. We have monthly luncheons after church in our Fellowship Hall, which is a large meeting room/kitchen/ gymnasium combo with a basketball court at the far end.

Before and after these meals, kids are always playing basketball—not actual games since the "players" usually range in age from about 2 to 12. It's just a chaotic mix of kids running around chasing balls while a few of the older ones dribble and shoot.

Jackson and I, along with some dear friends (the Butlers and the Jacksons), were sitting at a table close to the court. Suddenly, Jackson jumped up from his chair. I was startled and immediately concerned about what the matter was. Then I watched in wonder as he walked over to the court, picked up a ball, bounced it, tried to dribble it, then hurled it toward the net. Wow! I'd never seen him do anything like that before.

Jackson stayed out there for a while, running around with the other kids. It was a delightful, heart-warming sight. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw him standing practically underneath the net, flinching every time a ball whooshed past his head. (I walked over and suggested that he not stand so close.)

What Jackson did that afternoon wouldn't seem like a big deal to someone who doesn't know him. But to me, it was a very big deal that brings a smile every time I remember it. Thank God for moments and memories like this.

It made me think about God watching each of His children run our spiritual race. Although I've been saved for 35 years now (!), I still sometimes crawl, mostly stroll, and occasionally sprint when I allow the Holy Spirit to have control.

Does God smile at every little sprint? Is it a big deal to Him? Knowing me like He does, it probably is.

And when I do some small act of kindness, does He watch with delight because He has something else to reward me for? Knowing that God is infinitely generous, loving, kind, compassionate, and gracious, I imagine that He does.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. (1 Cor. 9:24)