Hope And Courage Across America Journal

It was the end of our first ride after returning from Washington for the reunion and wedding.  It felt great to be back on our bikes. The lady walked right up to us as we stopped.  “My daughter-in-law just got her hand cycle today.  She loves it!”  In the next 30 minutes the story unfolded.  Three years ago her daughter-in-law was the victim of an attempted carjacking.  When confronted by the attacker, her instinct or fear kicked in and she tried to speed away.  The attacker shot at her.  One bullet passed through the flesh of her arm, entered her side and lodged against her vertebrae. The bullet would paralyze her from the waist down.  She was five months pregnant. 

Her prayer was “Let me live long enough to give birth so my baby can live then take my life.  I don’t want to live in this condition.”  I love how God answered her prayer.  He gave her life.  Her baby’s life first, a son,  then her own.  I can only imagine when it happened.   I picture her cuddling him in her two arms and realizing there is no other woman on this planet that is more physically able to raise this child than her.  There’s hope and courage.  Hope that God can hear your prayer.  And courage to accept His answer.  (Your will, Lord, not mine)  

Her husband stands beside her as she adapts to her new abilities.  She has just finished a 26 mile ride on a borrowed hand cycle.  The next ride will be on her own hand cycle.  I imagine her husband will ride on a regular bike next to her…with their 2½ year old son in the baby seat.     

Hope and Courage.  It’s all around us.  And it’s all around you, too.