PUSH

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race that is marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1 NIV

My mom’s name was Betty Lou and it just fit her. She had it rough with us at times. The kids outnumbered her 6 to 1 and my dad worked some pretty long hours. I remember her cooking all the time but thinking back now it was because we could eat like an army. Biscuits and chocolate is still the best breakfast in the history of North America. She worked at the same elementary school I attended which was both good and bad. Good because I got extra food in the lunch line when she worked in the cafeteria. Bad because it did not take long for her to find out anything since the cafeteria was right by the principal’s office. I am not saying I was always in trouble, but I made enough visits to my pal Mr. Snyder’s office to know how many steps it took to get there.

Being the youngest in the family I was the last one to leave the house. I got to see my mom and dad at a different stage, and I am thankful for that. I got to see her more goofy. She was pretty funny. I remember her playing “I found my thrill on blueberry hill” by Fats Domino to wake me up. It was annoying then, but I still have that song in my head.

She had to be the disciplinarian when dad was at work. She believed in swats and we earned quite a few of them. Yardsticks were her favorite method because she could reach further. One yardstick on its side did not hurt but we acted like it did. Then one day my brother got cocky and told her that it did not hurt. She proceeded to tape two or three together and use the edge. They hurt after that. When she sent us to our room “until our dad got home” the anticipation was always worse than anything he ever did.

She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease pretty early, like in her 40’s. At first, it did not seem to progress very fast and I think her doctor did a good job of not giving too much medicine too early. She passed away at age 69. The last few years of her life were not good. Her body failed her. Her faith did not.

Toward the end of her life she told me a story and it has stuck with me through today. She made me promise to tell it at her funeral and I think I need to share it now. It is called PUSH.

Imagine an ordinary man sitting at home relaxing, maybe looking out the window but just a normal day. Suddenly a huge boulder falls from the sky and lands right in the middle of his front yard. He runs out to inspect it and as he does, he hears God say “Push”. So, he did.

Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned in to months. Months turned into years. Every day he woke up to put his hands on that rough cold stone and pushed with all his strength. Neighbors scoffed. Friends questioned. Passers by ridiculed. He questioned his strength. He questioned his purpose. Some days he could not because he was tired. Some days He didn’t want to. He questioned God, but he pushed.

Years passed by and in a moment of frustration he yelled out to God “Why?” “I’ve been pushing and pushing and it won’t move.” God calmly said “I did not ask you to move it. I only asked you to push it.” To prove His strength God obliterated the rock into a billion pieces. It was gone.

The man, now furious at God for wasting his time and causing him to be questioned by everyone, looked at his creator only to hear Him say “I wanted you to push, not to move. I made the rock and I can move the rock. But look at yourself. Your hands are strong. Your back is strong. Your legs are powerful. You are determined. Your neighbors have seen your faith. Friends have thought about their own purpose. Passers by have had seeds planted for future challenges of their own. I have not wasted one day and the rock you have pushed has reaped a harvest you cannot see.”

Over the years Betty big eyes (you should have seen those eyes) would tell me about her struggle to push. “I’m pushing hard” and I would encourage her. Some days she told me the rock won. Some days she did.

We all seem to be up against a rock right now. Nearly everything is in question. Normal has changed and we have no control over the boulders in our yard and maybe that is the point. If we are waiting on a manmade solution – government, political party, or any self-help solution, we are in for a long and frustrating wait. Only God can use ordinary people to move mountains.

What is the boulder in your life?

Do you have your hands on it or are you waiting for someone else to move it?

Challenge: Put your hands on the rock. Put your prayer life to work. Don’t quit.

Pray, Until Something Happens.

Rick Claiborn