The Good Wife

 The Good Wife

A good friend once told me, “when you’re not looking for love, love will find you.”

I’ll never forget the first time I saw my wife Ginger. It wasn’t from across the room, no, it was in a picture book. Gin and I met through a dating service. When I saw her picture and biography, I knew I had to meet her.

I had been dating for a few years and was beginning to wonder if I would ever meet someone. Our first meeting almost didn’t happen as I was 10 minutes late to our first date. She told me if I would have been any later, she would have left.

We met at Chuy’s on Westheimer. Almost instantly we hit it off. We stayed out that night till 2 AM in the morning talking. It was the best date I had ever had in my life.

We dated for two years and then on March 27, 1999 we got married. I remember seeing her at the end of the aisle in her wedding dress, I choked up because she was so beautiful, she looked like an angel that had come from heaven to save me. I had finally found the woman of my dreams.

Over the years we have had lots of ups and downs. My career has been interesting. Every time something went wrong, she was always there right by my side supporting me, encouraging me and most importantly loving me unconditionally.

I am a pretty goofy person. I’m definitely different. Up until I had met her, I never let anyone see who I truly was. That all changed with her. She accepted me for who I am. Laughter has always been a big part of our relationship and our family. We have so much joy and happiness and it all started with her because she welcomed me into her life.

There was a stretch of time when I was traveling a lot. I was on the road every week. She was at home taking care of our two young sons. She never complained, she just moved forward continuing to love me. She would hear stories from the other wives at the company I worked for where they complained about how their husbands were out drinking and partying and socializing with women. Still she trusted me and continued to love me.

She is my best friend and my soulmate. A few years ago I was frustrated about my job. I had a really good year and expected to get an above average annual review, but I didn’t get it (now I understand why). That night she told me something I will never forget.

“You are the best man I have ever known and I love you.” It still brings tears to my eyes when I think of that night. It drives me to be the kind of husband and man she needs in her life.

Last summer, Gin and the boys got Covid and at one point there was a fear she would have to go to the hospital. I didn’t sleep a wink because I was so afraid, I would lose her. I can’t   fathom the thought of what I would do if I lost her.

She is my rock! We always tell each other “you’re stuck with me.”

Everyday I thank God for bringing her into my life. I am living the dream. We’re growing old together and its awesome!

Proverbs 31 talks about the Good Wife and how she does him good and not harm, how she gets up early to prepare meals for the family. How she is strong and respected by the community and looks to the future with joy. Most importantly it talks about how she loves and respects the Lord. Gin does all of these things and more!

She is the Best Woman I know.

Thank you, Gin, for making my dreams come true. Thank you for giving me two awesome sons and most importantly, thank you for loving me for who I am. You have shaped me into the man I am today and I will love and cherish you until the day I die.

Happy 22^nd wedding anniversary darling!

Memories of Fatherhood

 This week was a particularly difficult week for me as it was nine years ago that my father passed away. What inspired me to write this was an episode on the NBC Series “This is Us.” In the episode, two of the main characters had new babies come into their lives. It went through the first couple of days of the new children’s lives and what pressures the parents were going through. It brought back a lot of special memories to me.

 I’ll never forget the moment I realized I was going to be a father. It wasn’t when my wife Ginger told me she was pregnant, No, it was when she was in labor  which by the way lasted almost 27 hours.

The birth of our first son Davis was a long and intense affair. On the afternoon leading up to his birth Ginger was trying to have him, but he just wouldn’t come out. It was so intense as she tried like heck to have him. Finally at 6 PM that night the doctor called it and decided it was time for C-Section. Seeing Davis Lee come into this world was the most beautiful and miraculous moment I had ever experienced. And seeing Ginger hold him for the first time took my breath away.

I was able to spend a few minutes with Davis before he was taken away to the nursery. At the time he was crying but when I started speaking with him, the crying stopped. My first duty as a father was completed.

The next couple of months are a complete blur to me. There were a lot of nights where we didn’t sleep much. One thing was for certain, I loved Davis more than anything in this world and I wanted to do everything in my power to take care of him.

A few years later when it came time for my second son Drew’s birth, I told Ginger I was scared to death. She looked at me and asked why, I told her I was afraid that I wouldn’t love him as much.

Boy was I wrong! I love both of them the same. They are two completely different personalities. They each have their own qualities and faults. To this day there is nothing more in this world then my love for them.

The birth of our second son Drew, was a far different story. The doctor told us to show up at 6 in the morning and two hours later he was born. He was a very good baby, always sleeping through the night. He fussed very little. To this day he is my little angel. (At 17 he is no longer little). God put this spirit in him that is incredibly kind and loving. In a lot of ways he is a lot like me when I was his age.

As a father, I have learned what unconditional love truly is. Its not caring what anyone thinks. Its that feeling deep down inside your heart that you would do ANYTHING for that person, no matter what they did. Its that unconditional acceptance of that person for who they are.

Having unconditional love for my boys led me very shortly to the same feeling for my wife Ginger. She is the  greatest person I have ever known. Over the years watching her with my boys has led me to believe that she is the most beautiful woman I have ever known. To this day when she walks into the room she takes my breath away. I am so lucky to be her husband and I thank God everyday for that privilege. 

As the boys have grown older, Gin and I sometimes feel like we are looking in the mirror. We see pieces of ourselves in them.

Over time, I’ve tried to teach them about life and how they should live it.

First, love everyone and love God with all your heart.

Second live everyday like its your last on this earth.

Finally, treat everyone you meet the way you want to be treated.

This week was tough because it was the nine year anniversary of my dads passing. I miss him every day. When I think of him, I choke up. I still can’t believe he’s gone. When I look back, his impact on my life was enormous. Just as I see a piece of me in my sons, I see parts of my dad in me.

When my sons are complaining about something, I won’t let them do, all I do is smile, look at them and say, “one day you’ll understand.”

That’s not the answer they are usually looking for and I pray to God that one day they’ll say, “yep, dad you were right.”

And then the circle of fatherhood will continue. 

Grace and Love

 

Grace and Love

“Greater love to no one than this; to lay down ones life for friends.” John 15:13

This is a great verse one that is a pretty big deal. What it really boils down to is how do we view others and how we treat them.

Do you look at your spouse and your immediate family as a pain in the ass? Or do you view them with love and companionship?

What about the person at the grocery store who is rude and pushy? Do you see them as selfish and inconsiderate or as a person who may be having a bad day or maybe even a bad year (trust me there are quite a few people out there who fall into this category).

Jesus gave his life for us so that we may be forgiven for our sins and have everlasting life, shouldn’t we offer the same kind of grace to others?

I am very fortunate to have many things, a loving wife, two awesome sons and many friends. But still at times I wrestle with the selfish demons. In today’s world, hell in our country, there is so much hate and mistrust. There are too many hypocrites.

The religious right even though they preach Christianity which includes everything around love and grace, also turn around preach hate and lies about the liberal left.

The same goes for the liberal left. The want equality and the right to freedom but then they turn around and talk about hate and blame on anyone who doesn’t’ follow them.

I hate this! And I’m sick of it! Enough is enough!

The only way things will change is if we learn to respect and love each other no matter what our race, religion and beliefs are.

Life is all about love and relationships. Think about how you see other people. God has a plan for each of us and he wants you to have a relationship with as many people as possible. Our mission in life is to LOVE! Its that simple.

This week focus on how you see people and how you treat them. I guarantee you your life will seem a lot better at the end of it.

Happy Valentine’s Day friends!  

The Love of Running

I love running! It has defined me and helped to make me the man I am today. 

I discovered running at the young age of 16 when I decided that football hurt too much, not to mention I wasn’t very good at it. 

I grew up in Northern California in the shadow of the Santa Cruz Mountains which were filled with tall Redwood and Pine trees. It was my playground for four years. I loved running in those mountains. 

I ran my first marathon in those mountains. It was probably one of the toughest marathons I have ever run as it took off from Los Gatos, climbed through the mountains and ended down in Soquel which was just south of Santa Cruz on the Pacific Ocean. It was 13 miles up, 4 miles along the summit and then 9 miles downhill. Looking back on the experience, it wasn’t the uphill that got me, it was the 9 miles down that got challenged me. After that race, my love for marathons took off. 

For awhile it stayed with me then it left me because of college. Its very difficult to run in the harsh winters of Nebraska. 

Everything changed in my early 30’s when one day I woke up, looked in the mirror and decided I needed to change my lifestyle or else I would be in big trouble. 

Running changed my life. Two years after I started up again. I was 100 pounds lighter and a new confident man. 

Because of running I met my wife Ginger. This March we will celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary. Ginger gave me two sons. They have seen me as a runner as long as they have been alive. I owe everything I have in my life to running. 

What I love about running, is it is a mirror of life. You get back what you put into it. The harder you work, the greater the success. Just like in life, you have good days and you have bad ones. The way you respond to those bad days will determine how the next day goes. 

Just like life, you experience moments of euphoria as well as moments of despair. There is good pain and there is bad. And when you don’t expect it, you’ll experience that “Runners High” where everything in your body and mind tingle with excitement. 

Everyday I get to run is a blessing from God. He has given all of us a gift; the gift of running. I always remind runners that not everyone has the gift of running. 

We’re a special breed. Getting up and running before the sun comes up or going out in 85 degree, 90 percent humidity to run 10 miles. It takes a special person with a special gift to do that. Running lays foundation to our successes in life because it trains us on how to deal with life. 

There is no other sport like running. It takes dedication and discipline to strap on the running shoes and go out and run. And even though running can be tough on the body, if you take care of yourself and listen to your body your running days can go far into your life. 

2020 was a tough year for us runners. During that time, it was my refuge from all the craziness in this world. Through it all the one constant was I could run and nothing could stop me. I know 2021 will be a great year as we are already starting to see races crank up. 2020 sparked my love for running because I couldn’t race, it made me stronger and more determined to run, because I wouldn’t let it be taken away from me. 

So, the next time you’re not sure if you want to step out and get your daily run in, remember everything it has given you. I guarantee you; you’ll be strapping up those shoes and hitting the road. Yes, I love running and I will for the rest of my life. 

Keep running friends!

The Big Day

"For 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." Jeremiah 29:11

The day is finally finally here. On Sunday January 19th I will set out with about 25,000 runners on another journey. That journey is The Houston Marathon. I have been training for this since July, a lot of mileage has been longed and sweat and tears. I have run in high heat and humidity and freezing cold tempertures. And through all of that as in everything else, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has been with me every step of the way.

"Be sure of this. I am with you always, even to the end of this age." Matthew 28:20

What a wonderful, wonderful gift he has given me. I am so lucky to be able to run. And if though I have trained for this, the thought of running 26.2 miles still seems like a huge challange. It's a natural feeling, trust me.

But, what I do take into Sunday is I know that God will protect me, he will challange me all for one reason, and one reason only, to give him all the glory. What's so cool about all of this is He planned this for me. He knows exactly what's going to happen on Sunday. And I also know this is going to make me a stronger person and believer.
And I will rejoice in that as it says in James 1:2-4

" My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. The you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need."

I know that over the course of running this marathon that there will be troubles, but I will get thru them and I will be patient.

He is going to give me strength to do this, it says this exactly in Phillipians 4:13

"I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength."

The reasons for me doing this marathon are not really that important. I sense it was something God put on my heart so I'm trusting him knowing that there is a reason for me to do this. The last marathon I ran was in 2009. I remember it well because at about mile 23 I know he stepped in carried me to the finish. Somebody in the crowd looked at me and then said "let him take you home." Somehow after that I found that extra bit of strength to finish.

It's so refreshing to know that he loves me so much that just at the right moment he sweeps in and takes me in his arms and carries me home. Knowing that eases all that anxiety about whether or not I will finish.

But most of all, I know there is nothing that will EVER take his love away from me, and because of that, I can relax and enjoy the moment.

Romans 8:37-39 spells it out so clearly.

"But in all these things we are completly victorious through God who showed his love for us. Yes, I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor ruling spirits, nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us, nothing below us, nor anything else in the whole world will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is Christ Jesus our Lord."

Everytime I read these versus, it just causes me to do nothing but smile becuause it states it very clearly; nothing can ever take that away.

So on Sunday morning, I'll strap on my shoes and the armor of God's love and set out on that journey we call the marathon.

Be safe my friends and I'll see you on the road.

Coach Rich

A New Beginning

"I find rest in God, only he can save me. He is my rock and salvation. He is my defender, I will not be defeated." Psalm 62:1-2.

I read today that before we move into the new year we should thank God for everything he has done for us this year.

2013 was a year of change for me when it came to my running career. In 2012, my health issues were finally brought to light and after sitting down with my doctor a plan was formulated and then executed. Slowly things began to change. But the changes didn't really start to change until early 2013 with the running of the Houston Half Marathon and Woodlands Half Marathon where I finally started running at my marks from a few years ago.

The biggest change I made though was the decision to change training programs and to also get back into the coaching game. The dream of running a program where faith and family had a big emphasis was finally going to happen. It was also the opportunity to put faith in my Lord Jesus Christ at the front and to help others strengthen their faith as well.

God always opens doors for us when he feels we are ready for the next challange. This was one of them. The first leap of faith for me was leading a prayer before our Saturday runs and group races. To be honest with you, I was very nervous and fearful because I really didn't know how people would react. But I also know that in those moments the power of the Holy Spirit takes over. The result was overwhelming! It's gotten to the point now that people in our group expect us to pray before our big runs.

"Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed." 1 Peter 2:6b

My struggle as it is with almost everybody, is learning to trust God in all my endeavers. We have a tendency to want to drive rather than let God do it for us. The only thing we control is our attitude and perception. As it says in Proverbs 3:5 "Trust the Lord with all your heart and don't depend on your own understanding."

The next big challange for me was training for the Houston Marathon in January 2014. I haven't done a marathon since 2010, primarily because I really don't enjoy the distance. But once again I sensed and felt that it was time to give it another shot, especially since I'm turning 50 three days before the race. How many 50 year olds in this country can say they ran 26.2 miles? I think the percentage is very small.

My new coach is awesome, he knows exactly what I'm capable of. He understands what motivates me and he knows when to push and when to back off. I honestly think he is the best running coach I have ever had. And if I can some day be even half the coach he is it will be a huge accomplishment.

Yes, God is good. I know that come January 19th, I will finish my 15th marathon. We all have defining moments in our life, God puts them there so we can become stronger in our faith and also show others how He is the only way to true happiness in life.

The gift of running is from God and I feel very lucky to have the ability to run. I know that it keeps me healthy and strong. I am so thankful!

What lies ahead in 2014. I will set my goals, but I also know that everyday is a adventure. The one thing I have is that faith that God is taking care of me. Jeremiah 29:11 says it best "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and to not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

So rejoice and give thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that he loves you and wants nothing but good for you. I tell people this all the time. "Our dreams are not even close to what God has planned for us."

Dream big! Happy New Year and I hope ALL of you have a blessed 2014.

Rich

Inspiration

10,000 Reasons

 

"Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name."

 

 

 

I honestly believe there come moments during a training cycle where it can and will elevate you to the next step. Yesterday morning was one of those times.

 

The morning was hot and humid and I was faced with the longest run of my training cycle since last March. The mileage on the schedule told me I had to run 11 miles, and I knew this was going to be a tough one because of the conditions. It's mornings like this where I wish I would have stayed in bed. But as a runner I have also learned that no matter how hard the obstacle seems, we all have a very stubborn mentality to suck it up and give it our best shot.

 

Maybe it was the prayer before the group that helped. Usually that calms me. On this morning, I really didn't want to do this, but I pressed on.

 

Matthew 19:26 says "with God all things are possible." so I pressed on and started the run. The thing I love about my training group Volte Endurance is we always try to help each other out. On this morning I experienced it first hand.

 

About 3-miles in to the run, one of my runners from the 10 for Texas program caught up to me at the rest stop. We talked a little and decided to move on together.

 

So off we went, mile by mile we went. The temperatures got warmer and the humidity seemed to increase. But we stuck together. About 8 miles into the run I was really beginning to feel the distance. My legs hurt and I felt like I was beginning to get the weak-leg syndrome. To me when I hit that point, I stop running and do a lot of walking. But something told me to keep going, and I made sure to keep my partner from quitting as well.

 

Finally the last mile was here, I told myself not to give up so I kept working.

 

On my MP3 player I have a mixture of music. It consists of everything from good ol' fashion rock and roll to Contemporary Christian.

 

I honestly believe in moments when we need Him, God comes through for us.

 

About a 1/2 mile from the finish, I wanted to walk sooooo bad, but then 10,0000 Reasons came on and all of a sudden I was energized, I was so happy. I started singing the song out loud. I didn't care if other people heard me singing, at the moment I was so full of joy I felt like singing. I looked up at the sky and the scene was beautiful, it spoke to me. It was like he was filling my body with the extra energy to finish.

 

Finally my friend and I finished and we both thanked each other for helping each other get through a very difficult run. Later on I got a note from her thanking me for providing her with the inspiration to finish. She told me it was my singing of 10,000 Reasons that helped her finish.

 

There is nothing like the feeling that you have finally broken through the wall. The last couple of weeks have been a struggle because of the heat and humidity, but God has a way of motivating and watching over us to get to the next level. Yesterday that is exactly what he did.

Yesterday morning was a blessing from God. He gave me the strength and endurance to finish 11 miles. But most importantly he gave me something to think about.

1 Corinthians 9:27 says "I treat my body hard and make it my slave so that I myself will not be disqualified after I preached to others."

What you think about your chances of success goes along way in determining whether you will enjoy it and if you will be successful.

Keep your heads up my friends and stay positive in everything you do.

See you on the road.

Coach Rich