Olympic moments

I love to watch the Olympics. Have since I was little. There are so many amazing and inspiring stories at the Olympics. This year I have enjoyed watching Michael Phelps win 8 golds in one Olympics (a record). But even more I'd have to say I've enjoyed watching Darra Torres compete in swimming. She's 41 years old and a mother. She's in amazing (amazing) shape! Though she didn't get gold, she only missed it by 1/100th of a second. In an interview after the race, she was asked something like what will she tell her daughter, now 2, about her experience at this Olympics. She ended by saying something like You're never to old to follow your dreams.

Watching her has really been inspiring to me. I'm at an age now (37) that when I watch the Olympics, I realize I'm old enough to be the mother of some athletes. When I was a child, I remember thinking "Hey, wouldn't it be cool to be in the Olympics." Now, I find myself thinking, "Hey, wouldn't it be cool to watch your child in the Olympics." Sometimes that change in thinking makes me feel old. Then along comes Darra Torres. She's older than me. And there have been a couple of others I've seen that are in their 30s and 40s. I love them all. I root for those older Olympians no matter where they are from. I think the lady who won the marathon was 30-something.

Now, I'm not saying I think I can make it to the Olympics. But Darra's accomplishments and her words have reminded me that I can still follow my dreams. In following my dreams, I'm also talking about following and doing God's will for my life. I think one thing that distinguishes the Olympic athletes from others is that they are very focused on what they are doing and what they want to accomplish. In my life, I feel sometimes like I am just running around taking care of all the little things that need to be done instead of trying to focus on one big thing? Do you know what I mean? And I think maybe it's often hard for ministers' wives to follow their own dreams. Sometimes we are so busy supporting our husbands as they follow their call (which must surely trump our dreams), that we lose focus of what we have wanted out of life. Or maybe we get busy working in the church or taking care of the kids. Hard to stay focused when there is so much to be done.

I'm not saying that supporting your husband in the ministry, working in the church or taking care of your children are bad things. They are great things. But I know that sometimes I feel like I've lost sight of some things that I would like to do. God has a plan for me and I want to make sure I don't lose sight of that. I know I have at times, but I was recently reminded that I'm not too old to follow my dreams and that is important to remember.

Enjoying the Olympics

Pam

 4 Comments posted by: Pam Cassady on August 17th, 2008