God's Promise, A Motivational Word from Trae Thompson

Maybe you know someone who’s there. Maybe this is for you 

My goal, my hope is to simply give you encouragement, to let you know that God still heals; that He loves to overwhelm you; that no problem or sickness is too big for Him. 

This morning while I’m sitting here writing this at my parents’ home, drinking coffee, I’m amazed at how far God has brought us. It was just 18 months ago that our family faced the unimaginable when my younger brother - and best friend - took his life. I remember when I finally went to sleep that night. I’d walked into my parents’ front room sad, in shock, exhausted, hopeless and empty and said, “God, I don’t know how, but I need you to heal me.” 

Fast forward to this past weekend.  I stood with my family in my grandmother’s church on Sunday, comforted by the bagpipes playing “Amazing Grace.” I got to enjoy playing Trivial Pursuit with my cousin’s son on his Ipod touch then came home to more laughter and fun with my 20-month-old nephew, who decided at one point to feed me peaches on my mom’s kitchen tile floor. 

With those precious, sweet moments have come others that have left me speechless. Five years ago I’d found myself alone and empty after an unhealthy relationship had ended. I’d repented, asked God to forgive me and told Him I’d much rather do things His way. Boy was He listening.

It may have been two weeks later, I wound up eating dinner at a Saltgrass Steakhouse with others from my church. The night I met some people who remain my best friends to this day. Then right after that I got approved to go to Houston for two days to work on a story.  Down there, in one of the city’s worst neighborhoods, I spent each morning with one of my childhood heroes - former world heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield. He was training for a comeback fight in Dallas, and being a sportswriter I wanted to talk to him for a story that would appear in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.  We talked about boxing but then he began talking about his Christian faith. At one point he said, “You know I tell people all the time, what other religion can you find a God that after everytime you mess up says, ‘Come on back, come on back.’’ 

Just what I needed to hear. 

I tell those stories as a reminder that God can deliver anyone from the worst circumstances. In Psalm 34:18, David writes, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Notice that the verse doesn’t have any qualifiers or conditions. This is a promise. 

Joy can follow the pain. I remember working with a pastor named Darius. We got to know each other, and I quickly discovered he was a survivor of the Rwandan genocide. The stories he told me would leave you numb, but amaze you too.  See, every Christmas he returns to Rwanda with his family where they feed and serve over 2,000 children in an orphanage he runs. His painful past is now a joyful testimony!

Trae Thompson (pictured on the left with his brother Cody) is a proud son, grateful uncle and loyal friend. He’s spent 14 years as a sportswriter, 10 with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor’s in Mass Communication. In his spare time, chances are you’ll find him reading, blogging or watching LSU football or UFC.

A small glimpse of Cody, taken a day before Trae's nephew was born:)