Olympic Fever

i am crazy about the Olympics. i don't know what it is; the patriotism, the passion, the things that people do to push themselves, all of the above? i am not generally a crier, but when the Olympics are on, i cry several times a day, watching the back stories, learning about what people have sacrificed in order to make their dreams come true. It is really inspiring.

So many of them have overcome tragedy (near-fatal accidents, cancer, death of a loved one, failure in previous events) to achieve under tremendous pressure. The word redemption becomes common, but we really can't get enough of it. The idea and possibility of redemption is one that we were created to identify with and something that we love to root for regardless of country allegiance.

One of my favorites so far was the guy that won the men's moguls last night. He won Canada's first gold medal on home soil, which i am so glad about because maybe they will stop talking about it. But what i loved was how he spoke about his older brother. His brother (and biggest fan) has cerebral palsy. He talked about how even on days that he did not want to train, he would because his brother did not have that chance, but he smiled anyway. As someone who has an older sibling with a developmental disability, this really struck a chord with me. How much time do i spend thinking about myself and feeling bad for myself when my sister will never be able to have a drivers license, will never be able to live on her own, get married, have children (don't tell her this, i think she is holding out for one of the J*nas Brothers).

When i wrote about Choices a few days ago, that was a really turning point for me lately. i am really encouraged, actually spending time in The Word, and feeling a restoration of my joy. i am excited about what the Lord is doing again. Yesterday (a wonderful day) i read this scripture:
"Who has despised the day of small things?"
i feel like this has been my life lately, despising the small things (and all things) when really it is the small things that add up to the big things. It is in the day-to-day, gruesome, tedious training that equip us for our true calling.


i am learning a lot right now, sitting in my chair watching the Olympics.
They aren't the only place to find redemption.