My Tomato Story

Team Hoyt

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I was moved to tears when I saw Team Hoyt in action over video today. Team Hoyt is a father-and-disabled-son duo who regularly compete in marathons and triathlons.

It was mind-boggling why and how a 65-year old man (Dick) would team up with his son (Rick) who is unable to walk or speak to accomplish such gruelling feats. But it was Rick's desire to participate in races and seeing how happy it made his son when they participated in their first race (Dick pushed Rick's wheelchair all the way to the finish line), Dick began training up and the duo continued to join more and more races. For more details on how Dick managed to swim, cycle, run and even climb mountains with Rick, check out their inspiring website.

I wept when I saw the fervent love the father had for his son. A love so great that he never saw his son as a burden or a dead wood. Instead he was determined to never race without his son by his side.

I was amazed to see Rick so completely relaxed and secure in his father's love. If it were me, I would positively balk at having to be so dependent on someone. Even my own dad.

But seeing Rick laughing and basking in the joy when they cross the finish line as though he did equal share of the work his father did in getting them there really made me think of my two Fathers.

My Father in heaven is big and mighty and doesn't need my help to accomplish any task. But He still gets me involved anyway and His love for me is so great that He never saw me as a burden or a pest. Instead, He rejoices whenever I talk to Him and share with Him my day. I am reminded so powerfully of how much He thinks of me.

Enter The Tomato

The second person I thought of was my dad. There was one incident which happened recently where I felt like Rick. And yes, it had something to do with tomatoes.

By 'accident', I joined a competition which required me to plant tomatoes. Suffice to say that when I realised that I actually had to plant them tomatoes and not just take nice shots of those juicy vegetables (or are they fruits?), I panicked. My thumbs are not green. They are pink. The last thing I planted died a gruesome death. So you see the trouble I got myself into?

I was determined not to quit the contest even before I got started. I mean, what's so hard in planting a few measley tomato plants, right? I just needed to get the right advice from the right people. The first people I asked were my tanned friends. My reasoning was this: Tanned people tend to be outdoorsy and thus, more likely to spend some time in the gardens. Very unlike the starkly fair me. Unfortunately, none of the Tannies could offer me the hands-on practical help that I so needed.

So finally, I turned to my dad. To be honest, I was surprised at myself for not thinking of dad first. He was the perfect person to ask for such help. Very tanned, very outdoorsy and very green thumbed. I guess past experiences had a lot of bearing on why I don't turn to him first and foremost when I needed help. I'm learning how to do that more and more these days now that we've both learned how to bond closer with each other. Thanks to God for His restoration work in our relationship!

And you know what? Dad did EVERYTHING for me. From getting the pots, the soil and the seeds to the actual work of putting it all together and tending to it regularly. All I did was gawk and snap some pics. He knew my thumbs were strictly pink and did everything without even me realising it. And a few days after the deed was done, I finally saw some shoots pushing through the soil. They are alive!!!! Yippee!!!! Thanks, dad!

A close-up of the shoots. Aren't they just darlings?

Where I saw the video

I was at the Restoring Father's Love Ministry team training today and it was wonderful. It's jointly organised by Shiloh Place Ministries, Elijah House (Malaysia) and River of Life Sanctuary. I was delighted when we found out that Shiloh Place Ministries' foundational values were based on Elijah House teachings. It's amazing to note how far-reaching Elijah House's ministries has become from its humble beginnings. Indeed, it is God who promotes good stuff in His way and time.

I really look forward to tomorrow and Saturday when the seminar proper will commence at the River of Life church.