Last weekend, our @bravelikegabe teammate and friend Sue was texting with us from the starting line of the Chicago marathon. I’ve mentioned her before, but in case you missed that post, she has ACC. Initially, the cancer was in her tongue, which thankfully is healed. But she has a metastasis in her lungs that she’s been fighting for five years now.

Sue had planned to run Berlin with us, but a new trial she had been on made her really sick, and staying state-side was the wisest choice. Once the doctors got the dosing fixed, Sue did what she loves - she continued to run. But not just for herself. She was running for a loved one newly diagnosed with diabetes and was able to sign up for the Chicago marathon in their honor.

Sue is one of the most beautiful, kind, and selfless souls you’ll ever meet.

Jen and I were able to connect with Sue before Berlin for a run. She hadn’t been feeling as strong on her runs, yet she kept moving forward, honoring where she was.

Sue completed the Chicago marathon last week! Our Brave Like Gabe team celebrated how she crushed it!

Sue is a powerful example of how to be a warrior. Not one that harms others, but one who is willing to live fully. She meets fear in the face, steps into the fire, trusting the refinement of the fire will be greater than the burn. And she is out there fighting not just for herself, but for others as well.

I invite you to join me today to…

pause. breathe. pray.

May we learn from Sue that life will have its trials, yet they don’t have to define us or stop us from living. Instead, we can use our trials to refine us and live fully, as the person we were made to be, and richly, by serving others along the way. As Sue shows us, not just last weekend, but everyday.

With love and hope,
Shawn