Why do I...

...run?  When people find out that I run many a time their reaction comes in the form of a simple question, "Why?!"  For me more than most the answer hits all too close to home: I run for those who can't.  I grew up watching my sister not be able to run around with the rest of us.  Mind you, she was very active, but I know not to the capacity of the rest of us or to the capacity that she desired and probably still does to this day.  I would eventually like to train for a marathon to raise money for spinal cord research.  So yes, at times it is painful, difficult, and awful.  But if it gives those who can't run a chance in the future to do so here on earth, I'll continue to run through the blood, sweat, and tears for those who can't.  Why do I run?  For those who can't.

...stand?  Those who know me well know that I'm not one to stay still for long.  Even when I sit I'm rarely still, but many notice that I stand more often than not.  When told I can sit down a lot of times I'll prefer to stand.  Again, this reason hits close to home again.  Both with my sister and my mom.  As my sister has gotten older she has had to revert from crutches to a wheelchair....constantly sitting.  This, combined with watching my mother who was once so strong become restricted to a hospice bed has made me thankful for the gift of being able to stand.  Again, I stand for those who can't, and thank God as I stand.

move?  Lastly, a question the young people at drop-in continually ask me is, "Why would you move to Northern Ireland when you're from America?!"  My answer?  Because I want you to know the real, raw love that's been revealed to me.  Some people will never understand why I would move to Northern Ireland, but just as some have been called to bring Christ into their communities in the States, God has called me to Northern Ireland and my heart has been captivated by this, His beautiful nation that He wants to see redeemed back to Himself.

These three realizations came to me as God and I were on a run around Newcastle.  Why do I run?  Why do I stand?  Why did I move?  To bring Hope.

Why do you do what you do?  If you have no purpose you have no purpose doing what you're doing.  The ministry here in Newcastle is not easy, but it's worth it.  Seeing young women from the community stepping over the thresholds of church buildings that I pray leads to a living, breathing, active, healing, deepening relationship with the living, breathing, active, healing Creator of their souls is my desire, my cry, and, most excitingly, slowly becoming a reality.  My desire is that they yearn with a passion for Christ who traded life for life for them.  We all have the blood of God on our hands, Christ came and traded bloody hand for bloody hand.  Bloody foot for bloody foot.  My prayer is that you have chosen Christ for the alternative is...unspeakable.  If you don't choose Jesus you choose justice.  Christ died so we don't have to.  Live for Him.

Why do you (fill in the blank)?