When the Father Breaks Through

On August 3, 1992, British sprinter Derek Redmond lined up for the 400-meter semifinal at the Barcelona Olympics. He had trained for years, overcome multiple surgeries, and finally arrived at his moment. Then, halfway around the turn, his hamstring snapped.

Derek collapsed on the track. Medics rushed toward him with a stretcher, but he waved them off. He stood up. He started hopping toward the finish line, face twisted in agony.

Then something happened that no one expected. A large man in a T-shirt and ball cap pushed past security guards and burst onto the track. It was Jim Redmond — Derek's father. He wrapped his arm around his son's waist and said, "We're going to finish this together."

Derek buried his face in his father's shoulder and wept. Together, they crossed the finish line. Sixty-five thousand people rose to their feet.

That image mirrors something the Almighty does for every one of His children. We set out with plans and determination. We train. We prepare. And then life tears something inside us we cannot repair on our own.

And the Father comes down.

He doesn't send a stretcher. He doesn't shout instructions from the stands. He breaks through every barrier to reach us and says, "Lean on Me. We'll finish this together."

Trust isn't believing you'll never fall. Trust is knowing whose arms will catch you when you do.