I watch the Olympics religiously. Which means I follow it with love and zeal. Especially the gymnastics.
As a former gymnast, I once had my sites set on the 1988 games in Seoul. I even trained away from home one summer at Parkettes gym. (One of their current gymnasts is an alternate on the US Team in London.)
So why wasn't I in Seoul? If we were having coffee I'd tell you how I injured my left knee and couldn't continue to compete on that level.
And if I knew you really well, I might also tell you that I hated how hard my coaches were on me. (My love language is words of affirmation.) And that I didn't wish to give up senior prom, Friday night football games, or chocolate cake.
But I have immense respect for these girls who are willing to give up everything to follow this dream. To endure what it takes to compete on the elite level. To develop nerves of steel.
Because it's downright nerve-wracking to be throwing a flip on a 4" wide beam of wood with judges critiquing you. Oh, and the world watching you do it.
One gymnast who handled that pressure beautifully in the team qualifying competition on Sunday was US gymnast Gabby Douglas.
After the qualifying competition {where Gabby was our top scoring gymnast and advanced to the all-around} she was asked on camera how she handled her nerves. Gabby responded saying she kept her nerves in check by "meditating on verses." She also said the Bible had a lot to say about confidence.
Wondering what verses she is meditating on? You'll hear her quote some of them in this interview at Valley Church in Iowa from just a couple weeks ago.
Gabby Douglas Interview - Valley Church from Valley Church on Vimeo.
All Olympians offer powerful inspiration.
Gabby offers us something even more hopeful, even more helpful: the glory of God, the word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. She shows us faith in action. She puts the "hopeful" in the term "Olympic hopeful."
I'm a bonafide Olympicaholic. But even more I'm a grace-saved servant of Jesus Christ. Who follows Him with love and zeal. So I'm rooting for my Yahweh Sister Gabby Douglas this week. Are you watching the London Olympics? What's your favorite Olympic event?
The random-picked winner of a copy of It's No Secret is Careen Starr. Congrats Careen! I'll mail it to you as soon as the Olympics are over. Until then, I can't leave my TV and recliner!
She's an amazing young girl! I was so impressed with her last night when she said meditating on scripture was how she calmed her nerves. What a testimony to the world! I am also an avid watcher of the gymnastics competitions. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! WOW, Rachel, I didn't know your were an aspiring gymnast at one time. Watching these competitions with my boys has been a great opportunity to explain how much hard work and dedication goes into making it to the Olympics. These athletes have to want it more than anything. Yes, more than chocolate cake! I'm with you on that one and the words of affirmation, Rachel : ) As a young girl, the synchronized swimming competition was always a favorite. My sisters and I would desperately try some of those moves in our swimming pool. That's about as far as we got - haha!! Enjoy watching the rest of the Olympics!
ReplyDeleteI watched some synchronized diving the other day and thought of you and your sisters. :)
DeleteHi! My name is Kendra and I'm an Olympaholic too! LOL! Since I was a teenager in high school I have adored the summer Olympics. I stay up late into the night watching as much of it as I can. I saw last night's dramatic gymnastics and swimming competitions. I loved hearing Gabby say that she meditates on scriptures to calm her nerves. God bless her boldness and her humility.
ReplyDeleteMy fave portion of the Olympics, the Athletics, won't start until Friday. Once again, I will gladly sit glued to the television watching people push themselves beyond their limitations. I truly believe there's a little Olympian in all of us - that drive, that passion, that desire to know we've found our purpose.
I too stayed up way too late watching the games in Bejing!
DeleteRachel,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this post. I love women's gymnastics and Track and Field. This is so awesome to see this young girl practically apply God's word. He is concerned about everything around us.
I am anxiously awaiting the track & field events. My daughter is currently a D1 college runner and our whole family follows track & field closely. I also really enjoy the swimming. Unfortunately, I just can't stay up late enough to watch all the events I would like.
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