Change the World for the Better

I love the Olympics!💕 Every season. Every type. Every sport. 

 I love the opening ceremonies and extra long parade of countries.

 I find myself cheering on the countries that have only one or two athletes and the ones that have bright costumes and elaborate headgear. 

 I check out the tv schedule early to find out when to watch the events that have less fans - archery, shooting, badminton  & etc.  In the Winter Olympics, I have become a fan of the sweepers in the curling event.

Excellent display of curling

No matter the sport, the Olympics celebrate unique human abilities, hard work and perseverance.

So of course - that reminds me of you 💕

What if there was an Olympic medal for compassion? Or kindness? 

How about a medal for being a supportive friend, a great listener or a generous giver? 

Some of you are the first to respond when someone you know is in crisis.  

Other are excellent at being positive when life seems bleak. 

Our gifts and talents may not be the luge or figure skating. However, "if your gift is serving, serve them well. If your gift is teaching, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously.........."(Rom 12:7-8a NLT). 

Though we all have "gifts" in different areas, it takes practice and perseverance to bring out the full potential of that gift. In the same way, a natural athlete is not an Olympian without personal practice and perseverance. 

It is our tough times that get us ready to shine.  It is our mistakes that make us better at the things in life that really matter.  It is practicing that makes our "gift" become our greatest talent.  

That's my mom. She has the 'talents' of compassion, kindness, joy, generosity and selflessness.  I have watched her persevere through the hardest of life's circumstances. I have watched her generously reach out to others for decades.  In the midst of her worst nightmare, she took the leftover flowers from my sister's funeral and made them into arrangements for the different people she regularly visits in nursing homes and Alzheimer's facilities.  No one knew she did this except my brother and nephew who drove her around to deliver them.  

Now that deserves a gold medal in human kindness. 

Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. And patient endurance will refine our character, and proven character leads us back to hope. (Romans 5:3-4 TPT)

Each of us is unique. Each has been through circumstances that equip us for excellence-  maybe not Olympic excellence but human excellence.  Our darkest days, our biggest challenges can be the training ground for our greatest characteristics.

As you watch the Olympics this year, I encourage you to embrace your "gifts" and recognize how important they are to the people near you. 

Never forget the Truth - You are uniquely made to impact the world for the better