Team Hoyt

Yeah so I’m a sucker for tear jerkers. That’s right. I’m one of those wierd guys that likes the drama movies that’ll make you cry. The Green Mile does it to me every time. It’s ok though. I’m fine with it.So I saw a video on YouTube.com a while back called “World’s Strongest Dad”. You talk about inspirational! It was honestly one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen…and I cried like a baby.It’s about a father and son named Dick and Ricky Hoyt who participate together in various races ranging from basic running to iron man triathlons. That’s not all though. The amazing part of the story is that Ricky “the son” was disabled from birth by a lack of oxygen to his brain because his umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck. He also has cerebral palsy. He can’t walk or talk and has very little control over his body whatsoever. That hasen’t stopped him.When Ricky was a teenager, he used his communication device to tell his dad that the only time he didn’t feel disabled was when his dad pushed him in his wheelchair in a charity race for Dick’s coworker. At that first race, Dick Hoyt wasn’t an athlete with extroidinary running, biking, and swimming abilities. In fact, Dick Hoyt couldn’t swim at all. That changed quickly knowing he had the ability to help his son to feel normal. Since then, Dick and Ricky Hoyt have competed in hundreds of races including the Iron man Triathlons. Dick pushes Ricky in a racing wheel chair and a special bike made specifically for them and he pulls Ricky in a raft while swimming. These guys have an incridible story and have inspired many including myself.After I had the opportunity to learn about Team Hoyt, God spoke to me very clearly. Although Ricky is unable to run, bike, and swim himself through the finish line, his father Dick was able to use his own arms and legs to fulfil his son’s passions. In many interviews, Dick Hoyt has stated that he feels like he gets the energy to compete from his son and that without his son, there would be no way to continue. I was reminded from Dick and Ricky Hoyt that as a Christian, it is my job to carry the Father’s heart. Though Jesus can’t physically be here to love people and meet their needs, I can do that because of the energy and passion He’s given me. I’m thankful to Team Hoyt for reminding me to continue to run the race and to trust Jesus to give me the energy to do so. Be blessed.