I love the Olympics. It brings me joy to sit down and watch coverage of the events after Griffin has gone to bed. The excitement, the joy, the struggle… The Olympic Games has a way of tugging on our heart strings and making us all wish we knew how to throw a double layout as well as Simone Biles, or do the backstroke like Michael Phelps. Wouldn’t we all love to be a champion or family of such extraordinary athletes?
My favorite part of this international time of patriotism is not the medal count or the athlete fist pump. It’s not even the opening ceremonies or the post-event coverage showing athletes in their red, white, and blue.
My favorite part of the Olympics is watching people fight for their calling and the look on their families’ faces as the endure each 400 m race or pole vault attempt.
You see the focus and intensity… You the see the panic when realization hits: they’ve worked their entire life, (specifically the last four years) to get to this very moment. What struggles took place? What sacrifices? What leaps of faith and strength?!
The term: “It takes a village” comes to mind. While I never want to take away from the hard work and dedication of each athlete, I do wonder what sacrifices were made by their families and loved ones to get them there.
Behind every outstanding athlete, is a mama who drove her daughter to countless track practices and meets, a daddy who worked overtime to pay for elite coaching and expensive gymnastics uniforms, a wife who takes on all responsibilities as her husband spends hours and hours in the pool. The Olympic moment belongs to the support system as much as it belongs to the athlete. Hence, why I find myself a blubbering mess when the camera switches to the terrified look of Aly Reisman’s parents, or the tearful fiancé of Michael Phelps. Each athlete’s finest hour came with a lot of long days and nights, and the sacrifice of some extraordinary people who chose to believe in their beloved champions.
I saw an interview with Michael Phelp’s mom. They asked if she could believe twenty years ago that her son would be the most decorated Olympian of all time. Her response was undoubtedly a no. Hence, I have mad respect for her for she sacrificing with such heart not knowing that Olympic Champion would be the outcome.
Would we all do the same?? I know we all want our children to be the greatest. And if we had an insight that Olympian or Harvard Scholar would be their destiny, would we sacrifice more, believe in them a little more? Would we patiently work to unlock their potential? Would we let them quit a sport or activity after a few rough weeks?
The “terrible” truth: not all children grow up to be a Michael Phelps, an Albert Einstein, or a Beethoven. But all children can grow up to be Champion people, Champion followers of Christ, Champion friends, a Champion husband or wife.
Id like to hope that no matter what my sweet boy decides to do with his life, I’m his biggest fan, the words of inspiration in his ear, the encouragement he needs when he’s lost a race or two… Or four, or ten. My prayer is to always embody the spirit of a champion in my child, but also to remind him WHO makes all things possible.
My prayer and life goal is to teach my children AT LEAST these two things:
1) NEVER ever give up
2) ALWAYS have faith in Gods provision.
When we’ve fallen off the beam, earned a “C” on a test when we gave our best, or endure difficulty in a friendship or relationship… We must keep going. We must not lose confidence in who God created us to be. We must keep trying to improve and grow. Anything worth having is worth working hard for. We never ever give up… Success is what happens when we work past our failures.
And again, God ALWAYS provides. He is always capable of helping us use our struggles to become that championed version of ourselves… IF we rely on Him. Our strength to achieve our goals lies in His love, grace, and mercy. If God is the center of our lives and we refuse to give up on His promises: success will always be the outcome.
So we will keep watching the Olympics and let our heart grow fonder after a Lord who is waiting for us to discover the Gold Medalist in ourselves!
❤️💙❤️💙
house of stain 