3166) Blessed

Seattle Seahawks Linebacker Derick Hall was born at 23 weeks.

He had no heartbeat and doctors gave him a one percent chance of survival.

But his mom refused to take him off life support.

Now he is a Super Bowl champion.

After the victory, Derick Hall reflected on the moment using a word that has defined his life and career: BLESSED.

     The New York Post reported that when Derick lifted the Lombardi Trophy, it weighed more than twice what he did at birth!  After the game Derick said, “For what it took for me to get here, what it took for me just to be alive and have a chance, I give all glory to God.”  See this video for more of Derick and his mom’s story (click onto the blue words to go to a five-minute NFL video about Derick Hall).

   Hall’s story, as told on that terrific video, is an inspirational story of faith, family, working together, perseverance, servanthood, and gratitude. 

   Don’t miss it.

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Philippians 4:13  —   I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Jeremiah 29:11–13  —  “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Psalm 139:13-16  —  For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

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     Derick’s mother is the hero of this story– for her determination that he live and for her hard work to provide for him.  Today’s prayer is a prayer for parents as they raise their children.

O God, the Father of us all, who has given me these my children,

and committed them to my charge to bring them up for You,

and to prepare them for eternal life;

help me by Thy grace that I may fulfill this most sacred duty.

Guide me in what to give and what to withhold, when to reprove and when to forbear;

make me gentle, yet firm; considerate, and watchful; 

and deliver me equally from the weakness of indulgence, and the excess of severity.

Grant that both by word and by example,

I may be careful to lead them in the ways of wisdom and true goodness.

Pour your grace into their hearts, and strengthen in them the gifts of your Spirit,

that they may grow daily in grace and in their faith in Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior;

so that faithfully serving you here,

they may come to rejoice in your presence hereafter and forever.

In the name of Jesus I pray.  Amen.