I had started writing a post titled “Tough Row to Hoe” whining about how hot it is, how tough my 15 mile run was yesterday, and how difficult it is going to be to train for the race through this summer. And then I deleted it.
It was my choice to sign up to run 100 miles. It was my choice to try to build my miles throughout the summer. It will be my choice whether I get up in the morning and go do my long training runs or whether I slack on my training and suffer more at the race. When I stand at the starting line, it will have been my choices that have me prepared to finish. Or prepared to fail miserably.
One of the biggest reasons that I did choose to run this 100 miler is because it was also my choice to raise money for Habitat for Hope. For me, fundraising is all about shock and awe. I will never be the type of fundraiser who has black tie dinners or contacts with billionaires with money to burn. The only way I know how to do it is to explain why I am raising money for the charity, ask for donations and then put myself through as much pain as possible to prove that I am serious about it. And quite frankly for the people who know me well, running a 5K on Saturday morning just isn’t going to cut it. So 100 miles it is. And it is my choice.
On the other hand, my good friends Mark & Mylissa Horrocks did not choose for their daughter Bella to get cancer in 2003. They did not choose to be uprooted and have to go to Memphis for her treatment. They did not choose to subject themselves and their family to the unknowns associated with cancer and its treatment. But the choices they did make impacted their family and hundreds of others.
They chose to start Habitat for Hope. They chose to move to the Memphis area and set up an organization to assist other families with children being treated. They choose to provide housing for these families from all over the country. They choose to open their doors for dinners, fellowship and worship time to give people some “normal” time away from the hospital environment. They choose to do all these things because God asked them to.
Whether you believe it or not, everyone does have a choice. For whatever reason, you chose to read this blog post. This may be the first and last time you do so. You may choose to follow my journey. You may choose not to. You may choose to donate to Habitat for Hope now. Or later. Or never. That is your choice.
I have made my choice. Mark & Mylissa have made their choice. What is your choice?
The Horrocks and the Hutchinsons in 2007
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Wow, wow, wow Tim…thank you so much for your kind words. As you probably realize, it can be hard for us to put our lives into words – but you just did. I CAN’T get over how little the kids all look! Amazing.