A Real Athlete

For as long as I can remember I've been an athlete. I have been playing soccer for 9 out of my 14 years on earth. It's been a major part of my life for what seems like forever. It's the on place where I can be myself. It's the one of the things I'm good at.

Playing soccer became instinct. Blood, sweat, and tears were no strangers. Hard work, will, and dedication were always in the vocabulary. Injuries were not uncommon. I cannot think of one time I did enjoy the game even a little bit. It was something I loved doing and it soon became one of my main priorities. And that's where I went wrong.

I was willing to sacrifice time and energy, get hurt, work hard, and train for soccer but not anything else. I made soccer a higher priority than my relationship with my family, God, my friends, and school. Subconsciously I was willing to sacrifice more for a sport than anything else. Honestly I didn't care about school that much. I was only focused on one thing: soccer. Even after I got saved I spent more time with my ball than my Bible, more time on the field than in church and that is not something I'm proud of.

I had my priorities all mixed up. I set my priorities by my standards instead of God's. I failed to see that God and soccer go hand in hand. They're not separate. You see, being an athlete takes hard work and dedication. You have to want it more than anything else. You have to be willing to lose. You have to be strong and tough even when you're tired and/or hurt. The same thing is true for a Christian. We're athletes in training to win the best prize of all. But it's not comin' easy. Just like I said before, a true athlete must be willing to go through those things. You have to work hard to earn your spot on the field. Don't think that just because you're on the team that you're fine. Do you wanna just sit on the bench and not help your team out? You have to want that spot and you have to earn it. This isn't little league anymore. Not everybody gets a chance to play. And just because you work hard doesn't mean you're always gonna win. But no matter what you praise God because we are commanded to. It's not always going to be easy but the prize you will receive is greater than anything you will have to go through. You will be rewarded for your faithfulness.

One key thing that all true athletes have is heart. Every ahtlete knows that without heart you're not gonna get anywhere. Talent is nothing without heart. If I've said it once I've said it a thousand times: "I'd rather have someone 100% heart and 0% talent than someone with 100% talent and 0% heart."

As Christians we need to start training to win that prize. We need to stop treating religion like its in it own separate category because its not. Just like I did with soccer we need to have Christ be our main priority and everything else will fall into place. We have to learn to get our priorities straight. I realized that there is way more to life than sports. I am going to put my main focus on what truly matters which is living for Christ.

I'm not saying all this to say that sports are bad. I will continue to play soccer and love every second of it but now in a new perspective. My life does not revolve around soccer anymore... it revolves around Christ.

When I play I need to make sure I'm playing for the right reasons. I need to live in a way that glorifies God and if I can do that on the field then there is reason why I shouldn't but if I can't I have no business being out there. God doesn't tell us to honor HIm when we feel like it or when it's convenient. We are commanded to honor God is all things all the time.

We have to constantly remember that we should not be playing to impress people but to honor God. I promise you no matter how hard it gets the reward will be that much greater and with God on your side all things are possible.

Never think for a second that God doesn't care about sports or school because He does because He cares about you. But He cares mainly about you your heart. And that's where you need to start. A life full of Christ a heart full of joy and a mind full of Christ.

Matthew 19:26
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Romans 5:3-5

just some sentences...

So, I'll give you guys just a quick little update about life.
I started school back on Wednesday.
I won't be playing soccer this season because there's no age group at our club for a team.
I'm starting violin on Friday:).
I ran 2.68 miles yesterday.
I just went through and labeled all of my posts, added Jack's other website to my blog list, and posted a picture of my Mom and Dad.
I am ready for summer.
I am still having trouble with my knee.
I have a geography and science test tomorrow.
I wish more people commented on my blog posts.
I wish more people read my blog.
I am praying for Jack.
I have been reading my Bible everyday and the Lord has been showing me amazing things through His Word.
I have learned to trust the Lord's decisions.
I have had to let go people I loved.
I am rejoicing in all things because I have the joy of the Lord.
I am choosing not to be a typical teenager.
I'm wondering if anyone is still reading this................. ;)

So you know that number... the one that athletes have...

Athletes that read this are gonna know exactly what I'm talking about but those who aren't, well, they're probably gonna be confused. An athletes number at first is just simply a number. As time goes by it becomes much more than that. It becomes the number you put after your name when you sign something. It becomes the number that you write on your hand, your notebook, your homework, etc. You see an athlete soon becomes known by his number. It's his identity and he wears it proudly. So next time you see an athlete with his number proudly on him don't just blow it off... now that sounded entirely way out of proportion but you get the point right? It's a really important number.

Breanna #21

"Now what makes it great?"

What makes any sport great? The satisfaction of accomplishing a goal. You went through the pain, the countless hours you spent icing injuries, all those times you lost, that's what makes it great.

Toast and Milk

I had toast and milk for breakfast. I just thought I'd let you know that absolutely useless information. But anyway, my main reason for doing this post is just to give you an update about life. Last Thursday we had friends from Ohio come to our house and they stayed until Wednesday of this week. We totally had a blast. I made a video of us having the time of our lives but it wouldn't upload. Sigh. Hopefully I will eventually get it uploaded:). I have quite a few pictures but I won't put them all up now. Actually I think I might save that for another post.

Soccer practice started this week. Last week was camp and it was kinda killer. Not that that made sense or anything;). It was really hot and that was the main reason it was killer. Soccer practice last night was pretty fun. I even had fun doing fitness at the beginning and end because "what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger". That's been my motto along with my favorite verse, Matthew 19:26 ~ And Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, But with God all things are possible." Thinking those two things kinda helps that feeling of "I'm gonna die" go away:).

Well, I guess I'm gonna go so I don't bore you to death. Hope y'all have a great day!

July 25, 2011

So, I haven't been a very good blogger lately... I really need to work on that. You would think that during the summer I would have more time to blog but I don't. I will try to keep this blog updated more. So, I put some more of my running time on my running page. You should go check it out:). The last two running entries were really fun because I ran with Caroline. I mean what better motivation than to run faster then your best friend? ;) I think I actually work harder when I work out with Caroline because we have a competition... constantly. But we wouldn't have it any other way. I'm getting ready to go the gym and hopefully run 25 minutes and do some weight lifting. After that, at home I'm going to do some sit ups, push ups, and plank especially for Caroline. My workouts from now until the first week of August (which is like next week) are going to be pretty intense. I have soccer camp coming up that's 2 1/2 hours every night all week. I've done it before but I want to be able to do it better this time around:). Well, i guess I better head off to the gym before it gets too late. Have a great day!

Running, Soccer, and Summer Thoughts

I am in an awesome mood right now:). My summer has been going great. Soccer starts up on Tuesday with some pickup games... maybe it won't be as hot as it has been... I doubt it. I ran 1.5 miles today in a little over 12 minutes. I was gonna go 2 miles but we were in a hurry today. I will probably run two miles at least twice this week. I typically only run 2 or more miles at the gym because it's so hot... during the school year I hopefully won't have that problem so we won't have to go to the gym as much. I am super-duper exited about tomorrow because we get to go fishing!!!! That totally made my week:). Well, I guess I'm gonna go eat supper and get a shower before it starts storming again... hope y'all have a good weekend! I may not have time to blog again till Monday but I'm not sure:)

Blood, Sweat, and Tears

Most of the time you hear that when people are referring to athletes training or a football game... Well, I completely understand what people are talking about. I mean if you come to one of my soccer games you will probably see blood, sweat, and tears. That's just the way it goes. Today I went running... and with it being sooooo hot down here it's very hard to get motivated to run outside for any period of time. I walked back and forth once I was done in the same spot just so I could cool down in the shade... Every little bit helps. Even though today wasn't that great of a run, I still went out there and did it. I only did 15 minutes... but at least I did something. I really want to motivate anybody out there who knows they should be doing this but aren't. Speaking for myself, anyone who goes and does their best at anything is good enough for me. I mean, it's more important for someone to gave 100% heart than to have 100% skill. And if you have heart, the skill will come right behind it. I encourage you to go out and do something you've been putting off today and accept the fact that your best is good enough. Have a great day!

two miles...

We both ran and walked two miles. My sister is doing this 5k training thing and to start out it has you doing this walk/run thing... I was along for the ride! Normally I run by my self because there's is no one else to run with me but last night Ashley said that she would get up early and we could run together. Our time was not terrible but there's room for improvement:) We did 2 miles in 35min 27sec. I'm sure some people that read this will laugh but remember I ran a mile in 6min 58sec. :) So, I will continue training like I have been for the past two weeks and hopefully will run a 5k sometime towards the beginning of fall... so it won't be too hot! I'm really starting to get nervous about soccer tryouts next week... but I remember that verse, Philippians 4:6-Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. By the time soccer tryouts roll around I will have that verse memorized:). Well, I will probably do another post sometime today... if not I should be able to do one tomorrow! Y'all have a great day!

From This.... to That....

Isn't it funny how I could start out as this.......
and end up as this.... it's pretty cool:)

Soccer Pics Spring Season 2011 (Pt. 1)

Now I'm sure that y'all were just dying to see pictures of me playing soccer ;). Just kidding:P. I just thought I'd put them up so all of you can see how I spend my Saturdays. (well, most of them anyway). Hope y'all have a great day!