Jump directly to the Content
Jump directly to the Content

Sermon Illustrations

Home > Sermon Illustrations

Daughter Encourages Mountain-Climbing Father

Idaho businessman Don Bennett was the first amputee to climb to the summit of Mount Rainier. That's 14,410 feet, on one leg and two crutches!

During a difficult portion of the climb, Bennett and his team had to cross an ice field. To get across the ice, the climbers had to put crampons on their boots to prevent slipping and to dig into the ice for leverage and stability. Unfortunately, with only one cramponed boot and two crutches, the only way Bennett could figure to get across the ice field was to fall face forward onto the ice, pull himself as far forward as he could, stand up, and then fall forward again.

On this particular climb, his teenage daughter, Kathy, happened to be with him, and she saw what was happening to her dadÂ…. Bennett's daughter stayed by his side through the entire four-hour struggle. She shouted in his ear: "You can do it, Dad. You're the best dad in the world. You can do it, Dad!"

You want to know what leadership is? What Kathy did is leadership. Her belief in her father and her verbal encouragement touched a place deep within Bennett, strengthening his resolve and commitment.

Related Sermon Illustrations

Baseball All-Star Ozzie Smith: Wrapped in Encouragement

Ozzie Smith, a 15-time National League All-Star, is considered by many to be the greatest shortstop of all time. On July 28, 2002, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and ...

[Read More]

Mother Supported in Caring for Handicapped Son

Author Henry Cloud writes:

When I was four years old, I came down with a leg disease that left me bedridden, then in a wheelchair, and then in braces and on crutches for two years. ...

[Read More]