Introduction by John Schoger
Standing at six feet, five inches tall, James Thornton has always been a mountain of a man. With an infectious smile and a laugh that fills the room as much as his physical presence, James is a larger-than-life character.
I first met James at a Bible study my wife and I attended at the home of Matt and Claire Hamilton in Columbus in 2017. It was a perfect summer evening and James could not be missed - jovial, well dressed, and standing a head above all the other guests. Meeting James for the first time, I received his welcoming hand, a broad smile and his complete attention.
That evening was one day after James’ birthday and following the study, his girlfriend Lisa Showe (now his beautiful wife) surprised James with a cake and we all sang happy birthday. The giant was brought to tears. He thanked everyone and said that he had never felt so welcomed in his life.
In the coming months I would get to know James through Core Community, a weekly men’s fellowship and bible study. James was regularly attending, growing in the Word and always had much to share. Engaging and chararimatic, I - along with everyone else - cherished his friendship.
But on June 6, 2018, James’s life held in the balance. Worried after not hearing from James, an alert was sounded by his friend, Deborah Johnson who was to meet with him that morning. By afternoon, friends Reggie Moore and Leon Lewis went to his apartment building searching where they found him unconscious. He had suffered a Stroke and lay unresponsive for up to 20 hours.
Rushed to Riverside Hospital, the prognosis for James was grim. It was doubtful that he would live. And, if by some miracle he survived, chances are that he would never walk or regain the ability to speak.
James Thornton, the public speaker who had successfully navigated a professional career with the National Football League, USA Track & Field, and global banking giant UBS, was silent. The college football player who overcame childhood poverty and hardship to travel the globe for broadcasting networks and the U.S. Olympic Committee was grounded.
But God had a plan for James. Able to hear but not speak, James focused on God’s Word and became a listener of others. Forced to slow down, he gained patience. One syllable at a time, he regained his speech. And one step at a time, he strengthened his gait.
God was using the Stroke to change the mountain of a man into a mountain. Set in place and time, one can’t help to be drawn to a mountain. A mountain forces you to look up to the heavens and glorify God. In the same way, James’ story, his heart and his character draws everyone to him, but he directs all the glory up to the Father and Creator.
As all great mountains birth streams, James now refreshes others through his writings and encouragement, what he fondly calls, dripping. Providing hope to Stroke survivors and their loved ones, and raising the awareness and prevention of Strokes, James takes the love and grace he receives daily from God and redistributes it to others.
James is an inspiration to me and I am proud to call him my friend and brother in Christ. I cannot thank him enough for teaching me to slow down, to listen to the Lord and for allowing me to join him on this fabulous journey.
To the readers of this book, the pages that follow are in James’ own, genuine voice, post-stroke. They capture his miraculous journey from near death silence and having to relearn to speak and write, to being an inspiring author. Unedited and in his authentic style, enjoy James’ short stories with the same Grace and Mercy that he affords others. Most of all, enjoy reading this book because James feels so great to be able to communicate his love and gratitude with you through writing again.