Oct. 2: A Life Defying the Odds

During his acceptance speech into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, in 2012, former New York Jets running back Curtis Martin recalled the time his abusive father held a gun to his head and pulled the trigger seven times.  No bullet was discharged.  His father then pointed the gun away from his son and pulled the trigger again.  The bullet fired.  Only 15 at the time, Martin believed his father would kill him some day.

Though he wasn’t religious, Martin attended a church when he turned 20 to thank God for allowing him to live despite the odds.  He told God, “I promise I will do my best and live right and do whatever You want me to.’…I’m 39 years old now.  God has definitely upheld His end of the bargain and I’m going to spend the rest of my life trying to uphold my end.”

In light of his own experience, Martin ultimately wants to be remembered as a good father.  He said that when he dies someday, “I want my daughter to be able to talk about the man that Curtis Martin was…a man of integrity, a man of strong character, and a God-fearing man.  That’s what I want.”

Live lives that are…upright and godly.  (Titus 2:12)

Protect and guide abused children, Father.