Quote

One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: that word is love.

Sophocles

Real Life

In 1962, when Rick Hoyt was born, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. His parents, Dick and Judy, were told that he would be no more than a vegetable and were advised to put him in an institution.

They chose to take him home, love him and find a way to give him the best life they could. As time went on, Dick and Judy soon realised that Rick was understanding what was going on around him. In the ensuing years they worked with a university to create a computer that would enable Rick to communicate. Once this was created, Rick’s intelligence and mental ability was apparent and they fought to have him enrolled in a public school to receive a full education. He went on to graduate not only from high school, but college as well.

When Rick was 15, he asked his dad if they could run in a 5 mile fundraiser race for a boy who had become a paraplegic. Rick’s dad agreed, using his everyday wheelchair because they had nothing else. That night Rick said to his dad, “when I’m running it feels like my disability disappears”. That was all the motivation Dick needed. Despite the fact that he was not a runner, swimmer or biker, he went on to compete in over 1,100 races with Rick, including 71 marathons, 252 triathlons and 6 ironmans.

Dick Hoyt has overcome difficulties, learnt new skills and trained for many hours to enable his son to experience athletic competition. Love was his fuel. The joy on his son’s face when they cross the finish line, the bond that has been built between, and the impact it has on Rick’s quality of life, have all motivated Dick to enter each competition. There can be no greater motivator and no greater reward, than love. The bible says that three things that will remain forever; faith, hope and love, and that the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13). God is love, and when we love in its true, selfless form, we experience who God is.

Bible Verse

[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13:7

Prayer

Lord thank You for this inspiring example of selfless love. Fill me with Your love and enable that love to flow freely and powerfully from me.

Author: Sarah Auld   |   Content Editor: Phil Pawley