Poor Timing

Poor timing. Isn't is always that way? The absolute worst timing ever for tragedy to strike. It would be a tragedy if it came at a time when we were better prepared or at a better time for us. Unfortunately it doesn't ever really work that way.

Many of you know that I was 50 days away from running my 50 mile challenge for RUN EUGENE RUN to raise awareness for diabetes. You have heard my story of my own battle with diabetes and the struggles I still face regularly. I had set up the charity as a non-profit and was working towards launching it all with the big debut of me running 50 miles in one day......and then it happened.

My car had slipped out of gear in the middle of an intersection. Something happened with the clutch and it wouldn't engage. No worries, it's a small sports car.....I just push it out of the middle and off to one side. While doing that I heard a pop in my right ankle. I knew immediately the feeling of a broken rubberband springing free was my Achilles. There was no doubt. I also knew within minutes what it meant for my running.....and for the 50 mile challenge.

Yes my leg hurt but I hurt deep down inside far more. I was in tears feeling I had ended something before I could even get started. What good is a RUN EUGENE RUN movement if Eugene cannot RUN? We headed straight to the hospital Emergency Room to find out what I already knew. The entire time I was praying for a miracle and someone would tell me differently. I knew better.

Ok.....now what? It's 6:30 PM call the doctor.....let's do surgery tonight! Right! Like that's going to happen. It's not like I'm Kobe Bryant or something......I'm just a guy with a cause. They sent me home that evening with a BOOT and CRUTCHES. I stick my foot in a Home Depot bucket with ice as soon as I get home. It reminded me of high school days when I cracked my foot and the trainer had a "horse boot" that they used on my recovery. Yes, you read correctly. I did grow up in Oklahoma. Big tall boot made for horses, you put ice and water in it and there is an air hose at the bottom. Within seconds it is freezing cold and your foot goes numb in five minutes. It's those first five minutes of pure torture that I remember.........I wanted that boot that first evening......still praying for something miraculous.

Amazingly I got an appointment with the Opthopedic Surgeon the very next morning. And yes....I told everyone the real importance of my concern...... I HAVE TO GET BACK TO RUNNING! I'm not sure everyone is as concerned as myself. Dr. Blake Moore gave me the news. It took him less than 5 seconds to see without doubt that I had ruptured my Achilles. I figured. The options were presented and surgery was recommended, especially knowing what I still wanted to accomplish. Without any doubt.....ok.....I am scared.......but I said, "LET'S DO IT!"

With that said I'll be having surgery this coming Thursday. The quicker the surgery date the quicker I can get back to it. He said I'd be running again in 3 months! Really!? So I'm thinking I can still run marathons in December! Ok.......probably not......a little too optimistic. I haven't got the exact details of my recovery schedule......so I look it up on the Internet.......DONT EVER DO THIS!

When I Google Achilles surgery I find pictures.....Ahhhhh! They looked like something from a Dr. Frankenstein's experiment. Everything opened up. Some showing stitches all the way up the back of the ankle and into the calf. I WILL LOOK LIKE FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER! Realistically it will take me 6 months for full recovery. And then whatever it'll take to train for a marathon again.

I hope to share more when I know. We are working on how we can still launch everything with RUN EUGENE RUN as well. After all, this wasn't ever about me. It was about all the others I'm hoping to help. I am just the figurehead. I'll know more once I meet with my wonderful team. They have been so supportive. I'll need more help than ever.

Please take a look at contributing to the cause. We are making adjustments to our website launch.....obviously things change in life......quickly......and at the worst of times.

Keep going to this link until we revise. www.GoFundMe.com/idg4vk

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. You do not know how encouraging it is to me.

Please go run for me......and when you do.....HAVE A FUN RUN!

Eugene Thompson

RUN EUGENE RUN

marathon runner.......again soon!

Lions Bears and Giants

Lions, Bears, and Giants 

The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine. 
1 Samuel 17:37 

"Hey, you guys. Don't be afraid. I'll fight this Philistine giant." 

But David was young. David was not even a warrior, and certainly not an experienced warrior. Saul felt it necessary to mention these things after David had so fearlessly declared that he himself would fight Goliath. 

But David persisted. "When I am taking care of my fathers sheep, and a lion or a bear comes and grabs a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and take the lamb from its mouth. If it turns on me I catch it by the jaw and club it to death" (1 Samuel 17:34,35 tlb). 

If David had not experienced lions and bears, he would not have been prepared for his confrontation with Goliath. 

And as he watched the round stone find its mark, and felt the earth shake when Goliath fell, it was etched indelibly on David's mind and heart that his God was able. 

This morning I struggle with defeat. Questioning why. Why when I try so hard to do the right thing I face so much opposition? What have I done wrong? 

Not knowing (at this time) the extent of my trials or what I am about to face, I realize it isn't my battle. The battle belongs to the Lord. I will trust in him, not myself. Maybe...just maybe....he felt my battle wasn't big enough. Maybe he plans on using me in a different manner. Maybe he is giving me another lion or bear to fight before I get to Goliath.......but I know this......I will fight Goliath......and he will fall.

Eugene Thompson

ET This I Believe

Marathon Runner.....soon again.

Ask Seek and Knock

Trials are often embodied in some form of want. Not enough money, not enough time, not enough love, not enough safety, or perhaps not enough wisdom. In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus’ disciples just wanted life. They were in an enormous storm when they awakened Jesus from some much-needed shut-eye with a desperate request for help.

It’s not crazy to think trials and life’s storms are some of our best chances to ask God for help. Yet, in this story in Mark, no later than Jesus told the wind and waves to take it easy, He turned to ask His disciples why their fear was so big and their faith was so small. It’s as if Jesus expected they would believe they need not fear the storm with the Savior on board.

Lacking something we asked for or expected is likely the source of the pain we’re facing. We’ve asked people for love and felt rejection, for a father and got a boss, for a boss and got a tyrant, for a loan and got debt, for another chance and got the door. We could all make a list of human disappointments. 

Like the disciples on the boat, we could also make lists of ways we doubt God’s presence in our storms. So, when we read Jesus’ words in Matthew chapter seven, we’re encouraged by the part about God being a loving Dad who wouldn't give us something tricky when we ask for something good. He won’t give us a snake instead of jump rope, or a knuckle sandwich instead of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or a shipwreck instead of traveling mercies.

However, before Jesus reminds us of our good Father’s character, He tells us how to ask. Ask, seek, and knock, He says. These words progressively increase from desire to confidence. Think on that. Also, in Jesus’ example, the son is not making a safely generic request for provision, or a slightly more specific request for food. Instead, he asks for fish with the tenacious confidence of a son who thinks highly of his father’s ability to angle fish.

So, should we ask for God’s help when we need or want it? Yes, and when we do, we should ask with the sure belief that He will come through with abundantly more than we could ever ask or imagine.

Life seems to be continuous hurdles at times. My legs are getting tired of raising up high enough to clear them. Sometimes I'm feeling like I'm on the verge of tripping over them......a major TRIP just waiting to happen. Why is this happening to me? I've been ASKING, SEEKING and KNOCKING a lot lately when these scriptures popped up in my daily reading. Find your scriptures during your trails. It'll give you the much needed faith and encouragement. 

BELIEVE AS IF YOUVE ALREADY RECEIVED IT

Eugene Thompson

ET This I Believe

Be Still

ET This I Believe

Eugene Thompson