Winston Churchill was visiting Harrow School for boys on October 29, 1941 as WW II was beginning to shape up.  He was Prime Minister of England at the time and had been asked to speak to the boys school.  He was introduced and began to speak.  “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in. . .”  That was it and he sat down.  “Never give in.”  “In Nothing.”  “Great or small.”  “Large or petty.”  “Never give in.”  This speech has been quoted over and over by those who speak to large groups.  I have even used this quote in my speaking engagements to encourage those who are going through difficult times not to give in.

Today is a special day for me and my sister as we encountered a difficult situation.  Three days ago my 97 year old mother was eating dinner with her mid-heeled shoes on as she always does.  As she was about to get up from the table, her heel caught on the side of her chair and as she tried to stand up, she fell, fracturing her pelvis.  She was in a lot of pain and was taken to the hospital.  She said to me,  “It is really dumb of me to fall like that” and was beating herself up for being so clumsy.

She began to question as the next day arrived whether she would be able to walk and do the things that the occupational therapist wanted her to do.  My sister was questioning  herself whether or not this was the beginning of the end.  I thought of that myself in light of my mom’s age.   My mom was moved to a rehab hospital and neither my sister nor I knew what would happen.

This morning my sister arrived at the rehab hospital and looked from outside into the gym where my mother and the therapist were.  Here is the text I got from my sister, “I just got to the hospital (rehab) and mom is in the rehab gym walking down the length of the bars!!!  WOW!  A great sight!!!. . .”  I learned never to give in from my mother.  She’s 97 and has that “Never give in” spirit even when she is in pain and has broken her pelvis.

I am thankful for a mother who is an example for me to follow.  She is my HERO.  I want to be just like her.  On this journey, God will bring examples into your life.  Make sure you latch on and follow in their footsteps.  He brings them into our life for examples and encouragement when falls try to take us out.