What is one of the most exciting events you witnessed that brought you joy?
Most of us have heard the term Cinderella team or underdog. A team or group of individuals who work toward a common goal and achieve success. This team is usually not considered in the start as serious competition. This is a mistake made by others who judge the outward appearance, the sheer number or previous statistics of a team or individuals.
Now more than years past many gifted athletes are giving God the glory following a win or remarkable play during a postgame interview. Many individuals and athletes who are disciplined and sacrifice extra-curricular fun to achieve a substantial goal to be the best, rely on and have close relationships with God.
These individuals rely on God in the dark times to help them persevere through pain and self-doubt regarding their body's overpowering aches and pains. Sometimes the sheer ability to climb out of bed, after numerous intense practices, can feel almost insurmountable. The dread of suiting up only a short time after achieving an upright stance following exiting the bed can almost bring tears to your eyes, knowing what lies in wait, another 2.5 hours of grueling hard work.
There have been countless events that I have participated in and witnessed as a Mom and friend of incredible athletes. My husband and I were gifted with three talented athletic children. Each one of them have brought me to a point of wonder and elation while cheering them on from the stands in a hot chlorine-filled atmosphere. These moments I’ve witnesses have made the countless hours spent behind the windshield driving to and from practices beyond worthwhile. I would not trade the early 4:10 am wake-up alarms or scrambling the night before to provide breakfast for 24 hungry kids following that morning's practice, so that they may have time to eat before heading off to school. The good has far outweighed the hard challenges endured to reap the rewards.
One of my favorite memorable swim events I spectated alongside family and friends was at the High School State Championship Swim Meet. My daughter Grace, along with her best friend Grace and two other long-time friends composed the 200-free relay team. They were competing in the finals for the State Championship Title. The atmosphere was electric in the fumed stands that night. Several of the parents of these young female athletes held signs in the stands and cheered at incredibly loud decibels throughout the entire race. However, when Grace entered the water for the final leg of the relay, she was in fourth place and almost 3/4 of the length of the pool stood between her and the first-place swimmer. The cheering intensified as Grace began to quickly gain ground on the lead swimmer. She passed up two teams before the turn and at the halfway mark in the second and final length of the race, Grace had come alongside the lead anchor leg of the opposing team. There were several kids in the stands plugging their ears due to the piercing screams of elation and excitement from the on-looking parents. It quickly became apparent that Grace was in the lead and would touch the wall first. The crowd went wild, as they say. All the parents and family members who were screaming from the stands, began jumping up and down and hugging and celebrating this win for these young woman. It was a true come-from-behind win that required every bit of grit from all four of these young women to win the State Championship. Each one gave their all and gold was awarded for their efforts.
The reward to these young ladies and dedicated athletes was in all actuality, this uncommon accomplishment they had achieved together while trusting each other to do their best. The picture above captures Grace looking at her best friend Grace who had been cheering her on to the finish. She has tears of joy and astonishment at the end of this race. It is amazing that a photographer captured this in a photo. This photo captured all of this joy and emotion, by either those who witnessed or comprised this relay team, allowing us to reflect back and remember this amazing accomplishment. We were bonded with this event. I thank God for the gift of that memory captured in a picture, which helps us to remember.
God has given us an even greater gift through His son Jesus Christ. God gave us the gift of Jesus out of love, just as He rewarded all of us out of love with this lasting come-from-behind victory and memory. There are countless photos and paintings that capture and depict Jesus on a cross. These pictures also capture and contain so many emotions from that time when Jesus gave His life for all mankind.
The people who witnessed Jesus' love, compassion, and miracles have since passed. Yet we still have these pictures to remind us. Hopefully, those who see these pictures of Jesus seek to learn the story of His sacrifice, and desire to accept this gift of love He gave through tears and pain to all of us.
Unfortunately, our memories fade, and life becomes hard and challenging in different ways. We grow older and our bodies reveal that it can no longer endure the practices required to achieve this level of sport. We are required to make a living, to put food on the table, and a roof over our heads. All of this still requires dedication and sacrifice daily. However, the reward for the day-to-day grind is not quite as joy-filled and emotionally charged as a come-from-behind win. Yet there is still a reward.
The fact that memories fade is all the more reason to grab hold of the joy that Jesus has promised to all who believe in Him. He has promised eternal joy. Hold onto this picture and memory of sacrifice of Jesus hanging on the cross. It is His eternal promise throughout the ages that He sacrificed His life for sin. All who confess their sin are forgiven and will join Jesus in the afterlife for eternity.
Ephesians: 1: 7- 10
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”
Happy Friday to you all! 🎉
Comments