Today “Scott the Jock” asked me to bring his exercise mat to the hospital. He has been faithfully using the exercise bike in his room. I think he has missed only one day of exercise since he’s been here. For anyone who knows my husband, the name “Scott the Jock” must make them laugh.
Until about two years ago, Scott’s idea of exercise was reading a good book and getting into an intellectual discussion about life. While he regarded physical exercise as a “waste of time,” he never was a couch potato; he has always been a real outdoorsman who loves to hike, camp and cross-country ski. He has such amazing stamina that the first time he took me skiing, I thought we were actually going to ski across the country.
For Scott, these activities are never for the purpose of mere exercise, but rather, to explore and to discover his own “wonders of the world.” When Scott is outdoors, he feels more lively, (dare I use the word “vital?”), closer to God. So, it is very interesting, to say the least, that Scott has been consistent with his exercise program even in his hospital room. However, knowing Scott’s faithfulness to health, I am not surprised.
Scott’s idea of health does not stop at the physical. He firmly believes that one must also be healthy spiritually. He continues to read the Bible and to pray daily. He has gotten into some good conversations with those who are caring for him. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, Paul exhorts us to “Run in such a way as to get the prize.” I believe that Scott will get that prize.
