STERLING
BATES PENN
November
17, 1982- January 31, 2010
Filled
with great gratitude, I write to you on the behalf of Sterling's entire
family. Celebrating the 4th annual Run
for Sterl, we look forward to this Race day with each one of you. It is my deepest hope that in writing this,
you come to know a little about Sterling, his life, and his passionate faith.
Sterling
came into this world with a large plan.
He went through kindergarten and first grade playing lead roles in the
plays. He went through elementary with
great grades, and a great attitude. He
went through Junior High with new adventures, first loves, driver's license,
and sports. He went into high school
standing tall at 6'4". He was handsome, smart, funny, and overall just
well rounded. Everyone who knew him was
his friend. No doubt when he started his
junior year of high school, Sterling thought his plans for his life would be
different. Maybe he would carry on his
family's legacy and become the 4th generation in the timber business, or maybe
something different. Regardless, I'm
sure he expected to go to college, get married, have children, and live what we
consider a normal life. But on August 29, 1999, time stood still, and God
showed up (never once did He leave Sterling's side). Sterling's life was forever changed in the
twinkling of an eye. It wasn't an
overnight acceptance of his new life, a quadriplegic on a ventilator, but it
was a road he fought daily to get down.
As time went on, God would deliver Sterling from the brink of death,
from sadness, and obstacles that stood before him on so many occasions. I imagine it became vividly clear to him the
purpose he was called for.
The
more Sterling became aware of his purpose, the more his life and his joy began
to unfold. Being handicapped was never
an easy ride, but that was the cross God called for Sterling to bear. This was
Sterling's load to carry to make a difference and to bring glory to God. In the end, Sterling fulfilled that purpose. Sterling waited for God's perfect timing when
he would be ultimately healed and rewarded for his endurance of the race set
before him.
Sterling's
life could have stopped easily on that Sunday night in 1999, but we have all
been blessed that it didn’t. For his family, we got more hugs, laughter, and
memories. For some, they got the chance
to get to meet him. For others who were
called to walk the same road as him, they got encouragement and hope. For those who he brought to Christ, they got
Salvation.
All who
ever watched Sterling run at the Canton Academy track meets knew and felt his
love for the sport. At the end of the
day, he was grinning ear to ear with all the ribbons and metals to show his job
well done. So on this race day, as you
lace up your running shoes and get ready to step up to your starting line, let
us not forget Sterling. Let us in
remembrance of him, honor God this day! Let us all take up our crosses whatever
they may be and wear them with pride.
Let us serve our purpose too so that we might, like Sterling, earn our
own crown of righteousness. It is never
too late to make a difference. It has
been over 4 years since I last saw my brother's face, but without a doubt, I
know he will change at least one life participating in this event today.
So
here's to Sterling, my big brother, my best friend, and a faithful servant of
Christ, and here's to you who are coming out and remembering his life with all
of us.
Sterling's sister,
Mary Hollin Penn Brock
Please visit the race website http://www.runforsterl.com/ for information or to sign up for the event. His personal testimony is also posted on the website and I encourage you all to read it. It may change your heart.