Many Aim for Him blogs contain real-life stories. Whenever a story reveals a person’s struggle or weakness, I always change the person’s name—unless it’s my own story! Non-fiction faith writers can’t have as much mercy on themselves!
If a story portrays a person in a positive light and I’m still in touch with that person, I will reach out and offer him/her the choice of using his/her real name. When I’m granted permission to use the real name, I view it as an opportunity to honor the person for how he/she loved God and sweetly impacted my life.
The last blog, A Motto to Help You Run After What Matters Most, was inspired by my friends, Jim and Pam, and included their story. If you missed their story or want to refresh your memory of the story, see below! If not, start reading after the line!
The Story Shared in the Blog
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While many married men make unflattering jokes about their wives to gain some laughs, I’ve never heard Jim speak unfavorably of his wife, Pam. Even better, when he speaks of her, his eyes light up. His smile widens. In only a few sentences, Jim communicates respect, deep love, and genuine appreciation for Pam. She is the same way with him.
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Those two are a sweet couple.
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I got to know them when Jim and I worked together. At the time, I was single and waiting for God’s best. I had experienced some good dating relationships, and I had experienced some that were emotionally-charged, all-consuming, and soul-draining. The combination of difficult dating experiences, negative marriage jokes, and the repeated comment, “Marriage is HARD work” were disconcerting!
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Perhaps you’re like me and have wondered: Why do sweet marriages seem rare? Why do couples who desire to become “one” end up fighting against one another?
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In a conversation with Pam, I shared how her marriage inspired me. Bashful in accepting my compliment, she shared, “God has been good to us. Jim is such a loving husband. I struggle with putting my trust in Jim when I should be trusting in the Lord. It’s easy to place my trust in Jim because I can see him and talk to him and hug him.”
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{Pause} Pam added, “Jim helps me keep the right perspective. He always tells me, ‘We’re just here to help each other make it to the end.’”
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The Story Behind the Story
When I reached out to Jim and Pam about sharing their story, I asked if they would be willing to use their real names and provide a photo to personalize it. Their response touched me as deeply as their endearing motto.
Jim responded on behalf of both of them: “Thank you for this! To realize that the Lord used that message and our lives in your life is an immense blessing alone. We would be delighted for you to use our story in your blog. If you don’t mind, could you use different names? We think your readers might find more value in the truths you have well illustrated (that all marriages were intended as a gift from our Lord to see us spurred on to finish our race in order to receive His prize) than in knowing the particular people you are writing about. If your post leads young women and men to seek the Lord in His Word for the true purpose of marriage, then we will praise Him with you!”
Awww! Their hearts are so humble and sweet! I probably should have expected that response. After all, a couple whose motto is “We’re just here to help each other make it to the end” is a couple focused on bringing attention to God and not to themselves.
Like every marriage between two imperfect humans, their marriage could never be perfect, yet their marriage is sweet towards God. I estimate it was 18-19 years ago when Pam shared their motto with me. Almost two decades later, and they are STILL focused on God. Beautiful, isn’t it?!
Name Change
My friends’ humility meant I needed to find new names for them! As I began brainstorming, I asked my husband, Steve, for some suggestions. Simultaneously, he started an episode of the sitcom, The Office. In unison, Steve and I said, “Jim and Pam!” That’s for all of you, Office fans, out there!
Inspiring Verses
Jim shared several scriptures that inspired the helpful motto:
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.” -1 Corinthians 9:24
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” -Hebrews 12:1-2
“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.” –Ecclesiastes 4:9-1
Jim added, “It really seems to me that the Lord intended us to reflect His love in marriage by helping each other run after Him. What greater goal could marriage possibly have?”
Let’s Run After Jesus!
I wanted to share this “Story Behind the Story” because it holds some sweet reminders for us all!
Remember, our human eyes don’t see everything God is doing. When I told Jim and Pam that I was sharing their story, Pam didn’t remember our conversation about their motto. Until reading my blog draft, Jim and Pam didn’t know God had used their lives and marriage to impact me. They simply sought God first and foremost, and He has been “helping them make it to the end” and helping others make it to the end! Like Jim and Pam, we don’t know all the details of what God is doing in and through our lives, but remember, God is on the move and blessing our “run” on earth!
Remember, God’s Word provides straightforward directions on how to run the race! For those who believe in Jesus, Hebrews 12:1-2 guides us:
- We can “lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us” because Jesus took care of all of this on the cross!
- Jesus “endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Our Savior is honored in the heavenlies, and He honors us by calling us to join Him there!
- Because of Jesus’ work on the cross, we can “run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Jesus is our Way- Maker and Strength-Giver!
- Let’s “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith,” and run after Him!
Heavenly Father,
You are my GREATEST Vision! Thank You for sacrificially giving of Your Son so that I could run from temptations and sin, run freely to Jesus, make it to the end, and enter into Your Glorious Presence!
Fix my eyes on Jesus in every circumstance and in every hour of every day. Knowing Jesus is the HIGHEST prize, and I cherish relationship with Him. Strengthen me to run hard after Him and to run the race for Your Glory! In Jesus’ Honorable Name, Amen.
*Verses are NASB.
