The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by John Earle
Sports World Pro/Associate Pastor, Union Church of LaHarpe
Your story! Your testimony! Your past experiences may be so valuable that it can touch someone like you never thought it could.
In my talk I share about going through certain pains or just being depressed is a part of life. Every one of us has STUFF we have to go through.
Prior to my junior season at WIU, I was primed and ready to meet my goals and dreams head on.
But, like many of us, sometimes our plans take a turn. I spent the next 14 months on and off the field with foot problems, breaking my right foot twice and my left foot twice. During that time I became depressed and made some bad choices and had thoughts of suicide.
Speaking at a school in Iowa I shared about the pain that sometimes hurts so bad you just can't think straight.
At that point when suicide consumed my thoughts I turned to my dad. He shared Jesus with me.
I told the students that todays problems don't have to turn into tomorrow's disaster. My dad simply said, "Son, Jesus loves you and he'll never leave you nor forsake you."
One young lady knew all too well about this pain. After the assembly she wrote me a letter. This young lady was an all-state tennis player with division one offers from colleges. She was meeting her dreams head on when she, too, broke her foot four times and the dreams of tennis playing in college were being crushed right before her eyes. She had thoughts of suicide that day.
She opened her heart and when hearing my testimony that day and how I was able to overcome the same problems she was encouraged herself. She did not turn a problem into a disaster. She did not take her life.
Your story! Your testimony! You never know when you may touch someone else.
God Bless,
John Earle
jearle@winco.net