Most People Have No Clue...

The Summer Olympic games, as always, is amazing! Am I really enjoying watching water polo, synchronized diving, kayaking and archery? Things I'd never normally watch. But to every moment of success and victory, there's many more who experience failure and disappointment. As an athlete, I know that when a person doesn't perform to their expectation (or their nations), it's crushing. They may say they're happy to be at the Olympics, but it's a front. Yes they are happy for their team mate who did win and wish everyone well, but behind the eyes the tears are wanting to burst forth. What most people rarely understand is the tremendous sacrifice athletes make to compete in the Olympics. Every aspect of their life revolves around one or two races or competitions. There are no second chances, no reruns or make ups. For instance Jordyn Weiber, the defending world champion gymnast. She has a 4 solid performances in the all-round competition, but not quite up to her normal scores, and so she misses out on the finals (because of a dumb rule). Her one shot at the Olympics and it's over, well at least in the individual all-round competition. She wore her tears and heartbreak on her sleeve before a TV audience of almost a billion around the world. I'm so thankful that Christianity isn't like that. One bad day and you're out. You're done. But Proverbs 24:16 encourages us by saying, "The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again." Thank you Jesus for helping me up when I stumble, and helping me get back on my journey :)