Join Curtis and Chris in a heartfelt discussion on preparing for grief and navigating the emotions surrounding the final ten days in the hospital. This episode covers the rapid escalation of Michal's condition, the points of preparation, and the prayers and community that surrounded them. Curtis shares his journey of coping with unanswered prayers and finding purpose in grief, emphasizing the importance of recognizing individual paths to healing and finding comfort in God's faithfulness.

Reflecting on his evolving understanding of grief, Curtis shares how Michal's fearlessness in facing death transformed his and the kids perspective, further solidifying why death should have no grip on the Christian. As Curtis recalls the final moments before Michal's passing, he emphasizes the significance of having a relationship with God and embracing the eternal perspective. While acknowledging that grief holds no easy answers, he encourages listeners to find solace in the hope of eternity and the belief that this world is not our final home.

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3:30- Hesitation for Treatment and God’s Clear Direction

8:00- The Beginning of the Last 10 Days of Michal’s Life

23:40- Is There a Right Way to Grieve?

31:30- Saying the Things While Someone Is Still Here

34:29- The Moment Preparing For Grief Becomes Reality

40:20- Fearlessness & Faithfulness in the Face of Death

51:00- The Hard Decisions of When to Turn Off the Machines

55:00- The Practicality of Death Not Seen in the Movies

58:20- Compelling Questions Michal asks in the Final Days.

101:30- Forgiveness & Preparing for Heaven

110:00- Scriptures Describing Heaven

115:30- The Final Day

119:40- The Blueprint Michal Left For Us Here on Earth

124:30- Closing Perspective on Grief

In this episode, Chris delves into Curtis's transformative journey through divorce and the challenges he faced from isolation before he met Michal. Curtis recounts his unlikely connection with Michal, detailing how he felt a divine nudge to send a message of prayer despite his initial hesitation. This act of obedience sparked a meaningful conversation, leading to intrigue and a period of one- sided interest for a relationship.

Curtis highlights several profound “God moments” that proved God’s perfect timing and promises for a new and brighter future in bringing beauty from the ashes.

00:00- Chris’s Embarrassing Admission

07:30- The Struggle of Telling Peers You’ve Been Divorced

13:00- The Challenge to Make a List

18:00- How to Pull a Friend out of Isolation

26:00- Obeying God’s Promptings

35:30- Getting caught in the “Friend Zone”

41:00 - The “Dear John Letter”

48:30 - Trusting God’s Timing For a New Beginning

55:30- Bonus Audio of Michal’s Facebook Message about Divorce

Welcome to the pilot episode of the Run to the Hard Podcast! Join hosts Chris Farrell and Curtis Christopher as they dive into the powerful origin story behind the mantra, "Run to the Hard," inspired by Curtis's beloved late wife, Michal Christopher.

This episode takes you on a journey through the challenges of Curtis's early life, to a messy divorce, to remarraige with a women he had never met, culminating in a devastating sudden terminal diagnosis that has him & Michal's five children experiencing fresh & painful grief unlike they have ever known.

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00:00-The Restoration of Curtis & Chris's Friendship

03:30-The Origin of "Run to the Hard"

10:00- The "Hard" in Curtis's Early Life

16:00- The Unexpected "Hard" of Divorce & Losing a Child at Birth

20:00- The "Hard" of Growing up without Dad & How God Used it

27:30- The First Coffee Date with Michal & Embracing "Hard" Questions.

30:00- The Men Stepping Up in Church- How to Support Kids without Dad

35:00- The "Hard" of Vetting, Remarriage & a Blended Family.

38:00- The "Hard" of the Unexpected Diagnosis & Telling the Kids

49:00- The “Hard” that God is Pushing Curtis to Run Towards

59:00- “Running to the Hard” with Others & Finding Hope in Christ