“With God’s strength; for God’s Glory!” – Jamie Whitmore’s race mantra

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, (1 Peter 1:6-7)

When was the last time you were touched – deeply moved by something you didn’t expect?

On March 13, I received an email titled “The Fragile Nature of Life” from John G. Miller, founder of QBQ! (The Question Behind the Question),  In his email John shared that his website had been hosted over the past decade by a firm that had gone through many name changes. But in spite of frequent name and ownership changes, one thing remained constant at this firm – Jeff Hilton. Whenever John had technical problems and frustrations, he’d email Jeff. Never met Jeff. Didn’t know Jeff. Had no idea of Jeff’s age, family situation, likes or dislikes, hobbies or heritage. John’s communication with Jeff was always by email. Then on March 1, 2008, Jeff died of a heart attack at the age of 30.

When I went to Lake Tahoe in September 2007 to watch my wife compete in the National Xterra Triathlon Championships, I met Jamie Whitmore, the 2007 female champion. I was there taking photos as Jamie crossed the finish line in first place. What most impressed me was how she acknowledged and thanked God at the start of her TV interview shortly after winning. When Jamie raced, she prominently displayed a sticker on her bike, “Powered by God.”

Two days ago I learned from my wife that Jamie had recently been hospitalized because of an undiagnosed tumor. On the home page of her website, Jamie says “I am finally home after 10 days in the hospital.  I wish I could say that everything is ok but the truth is, we still don’t know what we are dealing with.  After 3 different biopsies we know that the tumor originated in the glut and grew into my pelvic area.  It is the size of a baseball and is pushing up against my organs and the nerves in my left leg. The doctors aren’t really sure if the tumor is pushing or growing out of my nerves.  Either way I am in a lot of pain.  More pain then the bike course of Utah, Tahoe and Maui put together.  On a scale of 1-10, (1 being no pain and 10 being a lot), my pain ranges from 5 on a good day and 11 on a bad day.  None of the pain meds or “nerve blockers” work well. The sad part is that it is affecting my ability to walk properly.  I can walk on my own but I use a walker for stability and so that I can walk longer.”

How would you respond to such a trial? On the web page titled “Prayer for Jamie,” a good friend of Jamie writes, “Bottom line… Jamie sees this as one more opportunity to give God glory and a way for her to share her faith with so many who are yet to hear it.”

God doesn’t promise that life will be fair or that we won’t have problems. Everyone has problems. How we respond to the trials of life ultimately shapes our character. God commands us to give thanks in all circumstances.

Prayer Power
Heavenly Father, thank You for Jamie Whitmore and her unwavering faith in You. I join with many others in prayer asking You to bless Jamie – her health, her family, and her life. May Jamie’s testimony of Your goodness change the lives of many fellow competitors and other athletes around the world. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Link of the Day
Jamie Whitmore’s personal website – such an inspiration

Blessings to Jamie, her family, and network of friends!