I confessed in a recent post to being an Olympicaholic. And to training at one point with the 1988 Olympics in my dreams (heavy emphasis on "dreams"... though just the other week I did a pretty darn near flawless cartwheel for my P31 teammates at She Speaks).
So once again this week I've found myself imagining standing atop that podium, gold medal weighing around my neck, watching the US flag rise because my hard training had come to fruition.
I don't think I could help but mouth a few of the lines to the anthem while up there. I mean, who can not sing, "And the rockets' red glaaare ..."
Reality is, I will never stand atop an Olympic podium. But I serve a God that sees my work and knows just how to encourage me in it. Yesterday I received this email (printed here with permission):
Dear Mrs. Rachel Olsen,
Hello! My name is Hannah Talbott and I am a college freshman majoring in
Literature and Business in Colorado. I
recently spent the summer reading your book "It's No Secret" and
want to thank you immensely. I was born and raised in a strong Christian
home and have read numerous books pertaining to strengthening our walk with God
but NONE have compared to this!
Your writing was fun and easy to read, but
contained elaborate diction, symbolism and parallelism! I enjoyed it through my
personal love for literature but also through my insane love and passion for
God. This book seemed to contain all the topics I really needed at the
specific times I read the chapters (funny how God does that.) I am so glad you
have this email and website where people can connect with you and I thank you
so much for your writing! God Bless and I hope to see you speak one day!
Sincerely and God Bless,
Hannah Talbott
Class of 2012
I share that email not to toot my horn or advertise my book, but to show the graciousness of God and the truth of Hebrews 6:10 in action.
"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." ~ Hebrews 6:10
With Hannah's sweet email God gave me a gold medal of sorts, showing me one of the ways my hard work came to fruition. I believe He will do the same for you. So let this verse encourage you to work hard this week. Because God gives out golds.
Good morning Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI hear the ache in your heart and I can relate on a very small scale. I had a love of gymnastics and Nadia made me want to "go for the gold." Fortunately, for me, I wasn't in a financial nor innate talent position to come even close. I do believe it would be that much harder to watch these Olympic games if I had had the potential to actually be there.
But, I am so glad that the Lord is showing you the blessings you are sharing through the gold-winning talent and wisdom you have been given through your writing.
The word He has given me today is "necessary." I've been opening up some old wounds today, reliving a broken heart that I'm starting to see was the major turning point in my life. I am understanding that it was necessary for this to happen so that I could eventually come to know Jesus and open my heart to His love.
I have a feeling I will be meditating and writing about this word this week...and will return to it as the weeks continue. I thought maybe you might benefit from the word today as well. Sometimes disappointments and path re-directions are necessary for us to head on the true path the Lord has set out for us.
You are on that path, Rachel. Who needs the parallel bars when you have His unparalleled gifts of wisdom and talented writing/communication?
Thank you for sharing your heart with all of us!
Leah
Aww, thanks Leah, for that super sweet response.
DeleteMay God heal what was once wounded in your heart, and continue to use that to His glory!
Great post! Don't you just love when God does that!?! Thankful for the medal He's placed around your neck and want to encourage you to keep training and competing for Him! He doesn't just award medals every 4 years!! Though sometimes it feels like that...
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you,
Jill
Perhaps next year you'll have to do your kart wheel for all of us!!!
Thanks, Jill - I'll gladly turn a cartwheel for you.
DeleteThis life HE's given me in training, loving, and encouraging these boys of mine and walking hand in hand through the years with a most wonderful man is a gold medal podium moment of sorts. I realized this today, Rachel, as I was writing a post for my blog this week. What seems so ordinary is golden because it's what HE has called me to do in this season of my life. How beautiful of God to give you such a timely reminder of how you're making a difference on HIS team! And by the way, today I finally caught a glimpse of the synchronized swimming competition . . . it brought back sweet memories of trying out those moves in the pool with my sisters and I was able to tell my boys about it : )
ReplyDeletePam, I love your perspective. We are blessed indeed.
DeleteRachel,
ReplyDeleteHow fun for me to peek back into your blog and to catch up. I am thankful for our Abba who knows when to give gold medals and encouraging cards to his kids.
Thankful for your love for him and your ministry too,
Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com
Hey Jennifer. Glad you came by to catch up. :)
DeleteYour prize will last longer than a medal.
ReplyDeleteHow nice of Hannah to edify you with that note. We should encourage each other. It is a good book.
Agreed--the cartwheel was pretty darn perfect at She Speaks! I love you and your posts!
ReplyDeleteI'm super excited about your upcoming best seller being released!!! Yay!
XOXOXOX
Sharon Glasgow
You make me smile. Thanks.
Delete