Overcomer

“No matter how you feel:

Get up, Dress up, Show up,

and

Never give up!”

~ Genevieve Rhode

Overcomer:  A person who wins or is successful, especially in spite of obstacles in their path.

Because of its impact and example, the story of Heather Dorniden has resurfaced.  Ten years ago, while racing in the 2008 Big Ten 600-meter final race in Minneapolis, Heather was leading the race and had a bad fall.  Even though now in last place, she got up and continued to run to the finish line to complete the race.  There were cheers from the crowd as she began to run again.  As she ran, Heather thought, “Wouldn’t it be cool if I caught them all?”  She picked up her pace and one by one she passed the other runners to win the race!

Heather was surprised at the impact her getting up and finishing the race had on others.  She commented, “This race is so easily relatable to everyone’s lives.  I’ve heard from cancer survivors, people battling addiction, struggling artists, parents, athletes and coaches of every sport, runners of every age and ability…the list could go on.  I always tell people this race isn’t just about not giving up, it’s about discovering what you’re capable of when you are given the opportunity to rise above adversity.  It’s worth getting up every time.”  Heather Kampf, now married, is a professional runner and says her mission is, “constantly striving to represent God who has blessed my life abundantly.”

“Not all storms come to disrupt your life, some come to clear your path.” ~ Author Unknown

Alex Idrache grew up in a slum in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  He saw things happening on a daily basis that no adult, much less a child, should have to witness.  Several years ago, after the massive earthquake in Haiti, US soldiers were deployed to his neighborhood.  It was the first time Alex remembers experiencing hope.  He asked his dad who the people were that were helping them and he was told they were American soldiers.  He told his father, “then one day I will be an American soldier.”  Alex’s father tried for several years to come to the United States and was finally granted a visa to Baltimore.  After his dad purchased passenger tickets for a boat, Alex and his family left Haiti.  Remembering the US soldiers, Alex began to look for a way to join the military.  When the time came he joined a National Guard program which allowed him to join the Army and receive his citizenship.  Even though Alex had very little formal education, he was granted a spot at West Point.  Alex Idrache recently graduated West Point in the top 5% of his class physically, academically, and militarily and was the top student in the Physics department.

We don’t always have control over what happens in situations and events in life, but we do get to choose how we will respond and what we are willing to do in order to have the desired outcome.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

1 John 4:4

I can do all this through him (Christ) who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13