Children across America will either have today off or learn about Christopher Columbus’ discovery of America. Meanwhile, I will be celebrating a 27 year anniversary. On this day in 1985, I discovered the power of God in America.
I was a junior in high school running in a cross country race I felt destined to win. Although I was competing against 4 high school all-American runners, I was 4th place at the mile mark, a few strides behind the 3 leaders. While running down a path like the caption above, I fell into a hole covered by fallen leaves, twisting my ankle. After falling to the ground for a moment, I shook off the pieces of gravel from my hands, got back up and hobbled to the finish several minutes behind the lead pack.
After the race, I was taken to a local medical center and a few days later to the A.I. Dupont Children’s Hospital, one of the best medical facilities on the east Coast. Initially thinking I had a high ankle sprain, I was hoping to return for the post-season since our team was ranked second in the state. When I received a second opinion, my world was turned upside down upon hearing the doctor’s prognosis. “You will never run again! You may be able to walk, yet you will likely have a slight limp for the rest of your life.”
The day before my surgery, I came back to school, seeking prayer from my Christian friends involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In between classes, as the word spread about my operation, I was greeted by hugs, prayers and the love of Christ. I honestly don’t remember what these people said as they prayed before each class, yet I do recall being filled with a peace that surpasses all understanding, Philippians 4:6-7.
Before my surgery, the chief surgeon at Thomas Jefferson Hospital, explained exactly what he was going to do during the 3 hour procedure. I was a 1 in every 10 year injury, tearing all of my ligaments, causing the bone attached to the ankle to shift 90 degrees. At least I was famous, well not really, but the doctor instilled a hope within me as he put me under anesthesia. As the lights turned black, I was unconscious for several hours.
Once the drugs wore off, I met face to face with an ecstatic surgeon. To his amazement, as soon as he reattachment the bone to the ligaments, it magically went back into place, not requiring a screw as he first intended. I had to wear a protective boot for a few years, yet I was able to run my senior of year of high school. In fact, before I could walk, I began swimming on the swim team, having our 200 I.M. Relay place 3rd in the state meet.
As I reflect upon another Columbus Day, I know that the prayers my friends prayed miraculously healed my ankle, not magic. When I began to train in the summer of 1986 for my final season, God revealed to me a powerful promise related to running. As David, a shepherd walking up and down hills and along side the edge of mountain, he prayed this prayer, ” You broaden my path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.” Since this discovery, every time I have quoted this prayer before running, I haven’t twisted my ankle. If you look around you today, you too can discover God is alive in America!
by Jay Mankus
