It was Thursday, I had been home sick the day before, I came to practice early like I normally do to get some of my Bible study done. I always go to the room where we stretch, sit on the mats, and work until they arrive. Once the first one shows up, I put the study away and give them my attention. So on Thursday, my fourteen-year-old Sydney was the first to arrive. I was almost done with that day's study so when she came and sat next to me I put a finger up letting her know to give me a minute while I read the last chapter.
One of Beth Moore's last sentences was so profound I had to share it, and since Syd was the only one there she was my victim. The sentence went like this, "Ancient Hebrew history records that the moment the last ash fell, the priests blew the trumpets in celebration, shouting, 'It is finished!' 'When he had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.'" A little background information before I go on with what I'm saying. What I mean by the last ash falling refers to the sacrifice God commanded the priests to preform at sunset and leave burning all night long. In the morning they were to wait until all the ashes had fallen from the burned animal and take them outside the camp. So as I was saying, my eyes lit up when I saw a connection between the old and new testament. Those are my favorite parts of the Bible. We like to spit the Bible into two parts, Old and New, but I like to see it as one story; a story were God hints at the ending before it happens. And as I was explaining all of this to Sydney she decided to ask me about Jesus. I tried to stay calm but inside I was amped up. I really can't think of a better way to describe it. She just asked me a few questions, but they meant the world to me. I hope my kids see something different in me. I hope they see a light that they don't see in many adults and I pray to God that light never goes out. I hope God uses me to share that light with them so one day they will know Him like I do. I think I got my first glimpse on Thursday.
But Thursday isn't over. As the time got closer to practice I had more and more kids come surround me. You want to know what I love more than anything about coaching? That right there. I love when the kids just want to be around me. It shows me they trust me. I could care less about them becoming Olympians (ok that wouldn't be such a bad thing either) I just want to guide them through their life while I can. I love when they just want to talk. I don't care if the subjects seem young. They could talk about boys, girls, their "stressful" lives, homework, drama. I just want to hear it. The more I talk to them about things outside of swimming the better I understand them as a swimmer. I just love them and I want them to know it. I think my head coach realized that as well when he came up the stairs and saw them all around me. He gave me this smirk that I understood as "good job coach." I took quite a few pictures of that event and I want to share them.
And Thursday's still not over. After my last practice I saw a group of my kids on the other side of the pool. They were huddled around each other, heads bowed, arms locked. I asked another coach what was going on and she said they were praying. Now let me add that these kids were roughly eight to eleven years old! How many kids that age do you see in prayer like that? I know I don't. That right there is a team to me. I'm so glad I got to witness that!
Ok, last part about Thursday, I promise. I upload all of my pictures to Instagram and it adds them to Facebook as well. When I was leaving practice I saw I had some Facebook notifications. I opened up the app and saw one of my moms who had left a comment on one of the pictures saying, "I love how much you love our kids, Kat." And there it is again. The best part of coaching. It's one thing for the kids to trust me, but for the parents as well? How comforting is that? I can only get so close to the kids if the parents don't want me around them, but because of their trust I can get to know them even better! It was such a day filled with blessings!
And now onto something I think I realized yesterday. Remember my post on Day 7? If not I made it a link so you could go read it. It was the day were I was told God was stretching me. I think I see why now and I hope I'm not wrong. If this is the reason then my life is about to change, and for the better I might add. I mean it already has. I have a job that I couldn't be more happy with and if I had stayed with graphic design I know my life wouldn't be this fulfilling. But I feel He has something else in store for me as well. I wonder what my life would be right now if I hadn't trusted Him through all of this and let Him mold me. The woman you read about wouldn't be here, I know that for sure. In the past year I have learned so much, I have gained so much wisdom about the world and how God works in it, and I've become a woman who can't love my Lord enough. If I had let my stubbornness get the best of me I wouldn't be standing where I am right now smiling at where He's led me. I'm pretty excited to see what's in store for me this year and I hope to do a better job at keeping you updated.
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