“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance
produces character, and character produces hope.” ~ Romans 5:34
produces character, and character produces hope.” ~ Romans 5:34
I wasn't an All-American, did not set any records, and never earned an athletic scholarship to a college or university. But my experience in high school and college sports quite possibly, more than any other period in my life, equipped me with lessons that I carry with me to this day. From my daily work and relationships, through unexpected challenges and severe adversities, what I learned on the court and in the moments preparing for the court forever etched a belief system built to field, endure, and withstand every curve ball life throws.
Playing basketball, lacrosse, field hockey, and other sports was such a fun way to spend so much of my youth. Learning how to master skills, work as a team, improve weaknesses, and create memories that I will always cherish are just some of the reasons I am so fond of this time of my life.
At the time, however, I did not know that I was learning more than how to shoot a basketball or cradle a ball in my lacrosse stick.
Lesson number one: Always have hope.
On more than one occasion, championship games I had the pleasure of being a part of were not just intense battles for the title. They were, in fact, highly improbable comebacks ~ and these particular games are the ones that remind me to keep at it, keep going, stay strong no matter what the circumstance. Have hope.
My favorite memory took place at West Chester Stadium on May 21, 1989 ~ though I would rather forget the first half. Our lacrosse team was playing Trenton State for the NCAA Division III National Lacrosse Championship. By halftime, our squad was down 5 to 2 to a super offensive opponent with a long history of titles. To a team that good and on a roll, being down by 3 goals with one half to go might as well been by fifty.
The second half looked entirely different from the first for one reason alone: we didn't lose hope. We believed we could dig our way out of the situation, and, little by little, goal by goal, we did. We didn't turn on each other or hang our heads. Instead, we put our lackluster first half behind us and set our eyes on the prize we hoped for ~ and achieved it, winning 8 to 6. I wasn't just part of a great moment for me, my sister, my team, our coaches. I was learning how to approach life ... something sports had been teaching me all along.
In my almost 50 years, I have encountered so many people who have hopeless attitudes or insist that something cannot be done. I always pray for them to find hope. Whether it is overcoming tragedy, saving a marriage, going after a dream, or sometimes just getting through the day, there is no chance unless there first is hope. And every time we endure and prevail over any trial, big or small, we build our own character ~ and that character produces hope for every obstacle thereafter.
Back in the day, as a teen, it may have been full-field sprints at the end of practice when it felt like my legs give way. Or it may have been what looked like an inevitable loss to a powerhouse opponent. Later in life, it became six fruitless months of looking for a job, or, at one point, having only seven dollars to last three weeks somehow.
They all ended well because of one thing I learned a long time ago.
Hope.
Playing basketball, lacrosse, field hockey, and other sports was such a fun way to spend so much of my youth. Learning how to master skills, work as a team, improve weaknesses, and create memories that I will always cherish are just some of the reasons I am so fond of this time of my life.
At the time, however, I did not know that I was learning more than how to shoot a basketball or cradle a ball in my lacrosse stick.
Lesson number one: Always have hope.
On more than one occasion, championship games I had the pleasure of being a part of were not just intense battles for the title. They were, in fact, highly improbable comebacks ~ and these particular games are the ones that remind me to keep at it, keep going, stay strong no matter what the circumstance. Have hope.
My favorite memory took place at West Chester Stadium on May 21, 1989 ~ though I would rather forget the first half. Our lacrosse team was playing Trenton State for the NCAA Division III National Lacrosse Championship. By halftime, our squad was down 5 to 2 to a super offensive opponent with a long history of titles. To a team that good and on a roll, being down by 3 goals with one half to go might as well been by fifty.
The second half looked entirely different from the first for one reason alone: we didn't lose hope. We believed we could dig our way out of the situation, and, little by little, goal by goal, we did. We didn't turn on each other or hang our heads. Instead, we put our lackluster first half behind us and set our eyes on the prize we hoped for ~ and achieved it, winning 8 to 6. I wasn't just part of a great moment for me, my sister, my team, our coaches. I was learning how to approach life ... something sports had been teaching me all along.
In my almost 50 years, I have encountered so many people who have hopeless attitudes or insist that something cannot be done. I always pray for them to find hope. Whether it is overcoming tragedy, saving a marriage, going after a dream, or sometimes just getting through the day, there is no chance unless there first is hope. And every time we endure and prevail over any trial, big or small, we build our own character ~ and that character produces hope for every obstacle thereafter.
Back in the day, as a teen, it may have been full-field sprints at the end of practice when it felt like my legs give way. Or it may have been what looked like an inevitable loss to a powerhouse opponent. Later in life, it became six fruitless months of looking for a job, or, at one point, having only seven dollars to last three weeks somehow.
They all ended well because of one thing I learned a long time ago.
Hope.
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