“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
It never ceases to amaze me how God grows me. This month I committed to ride 200 miles and raise $500 for the Children’s Cancer Fund. I made the decision the day before it started for one reason. To help motivate me to do my cardio workout. I was in a funk.
God has done so much with that selfish decision. I’m 11 days from completing it. I have 49 miles left to ride, $97 left to raise. I have learned that each week 38 children die from cancer. I have met and sat with parents who lost their seven year old 3 1/2 years ago. I’ve listened to their story. I’ve heard their struggle. I’ve received emails that have educated me, like the one I received today from the CEO of the CCF:
Over the past 19 days, 51,319 riders have so far pedaled 2,234,957 miles across the USA, on all types of bikes and in all kinds of weather. It has been phenonemal to watch the event (and hit ‘refresh’…alot) and the 2018 Great Cycle Challenge USA is set to break all the records.
To break down the month so far:
- 51,319 riders are taking part from every state in the country.
- 105,961 individual donations have been received to support your efforts.
- The website has been viewed a total of 1,905,759 times from 188 different countries across the world.
- Together, we’ve ridden a total of 2,234,957 miles and pedaled for the equivalent of 7,450 days and 9 minutes.
…and we’ve still got 11 days to go.
Wow. This IS truly a movement to end childhood cancer.
To put this into perspective, over those same 19 days you’ve been riding in the challenge:
- 760 families have heard the painful words, “your child has cancer”.
- We’ve lost 103 little lives to this terrible disease.
I have been amazed at the dedication of people all over this country to come together and fight a cause. I have found heartache and I have found hope. I didn’t know any of this 20 days ago when I made this commitment. What I love though is how God lets nothing goes to waste. I love how He grows and molds us, even through our selfishness.
If there is one thing I would hope for you, make a commitment to a cause you don’t know a lot about. See what God does with it. You won’t be sorry!