Oct. 26: How Far Will You Walk With God?

At the 2012 Christopher Awards ceremony, former New York Jets defensive lineman Marty Lyons won the James Keller Award—named after The Christophers’ founder—for his work creating a foundation that grants wishes to terminally ill children.

Lyons shared the story of a girl named Lauren who was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 14.  Her wish was to go to the White House and to have some poems she’d written published.  Lyons and his foundation helped her achieve both goals.

At age 16, Lauren passed away.  Lyons attended the funeral which took place in the same church in which Lauren had been baptized and confirmed.  The priest holding the service had known Lauren all her life, and pointed out that she woke up every day and took a walk “hand-in-hand with the good Lord” until she finally walked all the way home with Him.

Choking up at the memory, Lyons concluded, “I tell you that story because every day, we have a choice on how far we’re going to walk with God.  How many lives can we change if we just say a kind word?  You don’t have to be a professional athlete to make a difference.  All you have to do is care.”

In the path of righteousness there is life, in walking its

path there is no death. (Proverbs 12:38)

Guide me in Your ways, Lord.