“For whoever would save his life will lose, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”

Matthew 16:25-26

The Life Center was decorated with crimson—a color that sounds like a screechy chalkboard to my scarlet and gray allegiances. There were balloons, decorations, and script A’s. And most notably, lots of infectious smiles. The brightest was from Kerry Goode. 

Mr. Goode is Alabama football royalty—a star in the 80’s who excelled at running back and went on to the NFL where he played and coached. 

10 years ago Mr. Goode received the devastating diagnosis of ALS. 

I knew very little about ALS. I knew Lou Gehrig had it and his name is still deeply associated with it. I knew I gave some money to support research while I was still shivering from the ice bucket challenge years ago. I knew it was ugly, but not sure what it was or how it debilitated people. 

Kerry and his wife, Tanja, were at Prince of Peace to share a small portion of their story and a big portion of their faith!

ALS is a neurological disease that robs you of your ability to move, function, and speak. Ultimately it robs you of your ability to live. Most folks have 2-4 years to live before the disease takes them. It is an awful disease. But, as the Goode’s shared boldly, it does not rob you of your ability to believe and trust the Lord. It doesn’t rob you of the ability to love. It doesn’t rob you of the ability to LIVE. 

The main part of the presentation was the sharing of some of Kerry’s faith reflections. They are very similar to what you’ve been reading in these “Cup” emails. My thoughts today are inspired by Mr. Goode’s testimony and writing. 

As I mentioned, ALS robs you of the ability to speak. Mr. Goode loved to speak. He loves to speak still, even though speaking is nearly impossible for him. You could tell he had lots to say. Now he shares his messages through writing.  

What would you do if you could no longer speak?

As one who suffers with ALS, Mr. Goode knew the milestones that you pass as the disease takes a deeper hold of you and your life. He shared about the horror of the day when his mouth started drooling excessively. This was a clear cut sign that his voice was soon to fail. Their was a soon to expire date on one of his most cherished abilities. Losing his voice was a death for him. As it would be for all of us. How do you live on the other side of that death?

How do you live when one of the things that you love to do the most is taken from you? 

How do you find your way forward when there is still so much more to say?

I’ll never think of drooling the same. But, more than that, I hope I never read the words of Jesus the same. That was Kerry’s message. 

Do you love me more than these? Do you love me more than your voice? Your ability to move? Your ability to feed yourself? Clothes yourself? Breathe? 

Do you love your life? Or do you love the one who gave it to you?

Saturday was a challenge for the Goode’s because the device they use to help Kerry speak and write and move was broken. Tech-support was on the case, but they had to send this powerful and life-changing computer to Pennsylvania to get fixed. This means that instead of being able to speak for himself, Kerry needed others to speak for him.

His college friend, Sam, read these words that Kerry wrote earlier this month.

“Lately I’ve been drooling like a fat baby cutting teeth. This drooling signals the end of my ability to speak. While the increased flow of saliva seems to soothe a baby’s tender gums, it often signals a nervous system disorder and injuries, such as cerebral palsy, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and congenital brain abnormalities. 

In my battle with ALS I have died a thousand deaths. These deaths started with letting go of the life I once had. The day I dropped a pan of chicken while hosting a cookout broke my heart. When I could no longer mow the lawn was hard on me and the day I had to turn over the keys to my new car brought me to tears.

Of all the things I’ve lost, not being able to talk is one of the most difficult things I have had to let go. Letting go is incredibly difficult. No matter if we cling to worries about the future, or if we keep replaying the mistakes of the past again and again in our mind. It can be quite painful when you have difficulties to move on.

I’ve had to come to the realization that someday I must let go of this life and all that I love. Its heart wrenching to even think of it. No matter how hard I try, But I know that I can’t reach home plate with my foot on third base. 

“For whoever would save his life will lose, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” Matthew 16:25-26

Never love something so much that you can’t let go of it. You can only lose what you cling to.”

Suffering is a 1,000 small deaths. No one likes suffering. No one celebrates suffering. It is one of the worst promises that Jesus gives us—”in this world, you will suffer.” 

And yet, the great hope of Jesus follows this painful promise. “Take heart, I have overcome this world.” 

Kerry and Tanja made a decision following his diagnosis. Most people die with ALS. The Goode’s determined, by their faith in God, that they would LIVE with ALS. 

My suspicion is that the Goode’s always had a deep faith and a sense of purpose. But, it is equally clear, through their tireless work, endless love, and through the Kerry Goode Foundation, they are living purposefully to fight ALS. For themselves and alongside others.

Ponder the thought of losing your voice. How does this thinking lead you to share more boldly the message that God has put within you?