Joe Marelle is a basketball coach in our county who has encouraged me greatly in this fight with cancer. He has fought the disease himself for over three years and many have admired him. An award is given at the end of each season to honor someone who has shown courage in a unique way. Knowing I was going out of town this past weekend, my close friend, Tim Vick, shared that two people were going to receive the Joe Marelle Courage Award on Saturday – and I was one of them.
I told Tim I really didn’t think I have been too courageous. In fact, I think I simply discovered what a wimp I am! But in accepting the award in my absence, Tim made some comments that have made me think. Ben Black, the player who received the award, recently lost his twin brother in a car accident, which he survived. Many of the people we view as courageous have simply found themselves in very difficult circumstances – circumstances not of their own choosing. Why did God tell Joshua to be ‘strong and courageous’ so many times? (see Joshua 1) He knew Joshua was about to go to battle – where courage would be required. If He tells us to be ‘strong and courageous’, we can expect His grace to help us obey.
Here are Tim’s kind words: “When I told Coach Davis he was going to be honored for the ‘courage’ award, he said, ‘Don’t call it courage…call it what it is…not having anywhere else to turn.’ But you see…what Coach Davis may not realize is that IS courage. In basketball games, courage is pretty simplistic…give 100% for your team. But in LIFE, the stakes are much higher. It means ACCEPTING THE CIRCUMSTANCES and then OVERCOMING THE FEAR. So why does one go through the crushing process of battling cancer? Dana tells me it wasn’t for himself (he was ready). But I know why. He did it for Susan, Taylor, Kinsey, Karlyn, and for all of us who depended on him. And that’s what courage is all about. Accepting whatever comes your way. Setting aside your fears. And considering others more than you do yourself. We’ve seen it in the life of Joe Marelle and we’ve seen it in the two that are honored today.”
People tell me we got a standing ovation. But Ben and I would both say (along with Joshua), “God deserves the applause.”
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)