They are more than athletes - They are my children

Sometimes the plans that we have for ourselves are not necessarily the plans that the Lord has for us. Just like every little girl growing up I assumed that I would grow up, get married and have children of my own. Step one - I grew up. Step two - I met and married the man of my dreams. Step three - here's where my plan changed and the Lord stepped in with His plan. 

My coach and I were on the right track. The game plan was set. We were married; both had great jobs and were ready to start a family.  So, we started trying and found out it's not always as easy as we think. After several miscarriages, a million doctor visits, and a several years of treatments, etc. all to no avail we decided it was time to step back and re-evaluate the game plan.  A sweet friend suggested that we spend 40 days in prayer and truly search our hearts and listen to what the Lord had to say about our next steps. Many options were on the table including more treatments, adoption and whatever else the Lord might call us to do.  So we began praying. We began praying for wisdom and clear answers that would direct us to what to do next. Psalm 113:9 became my prayer. "He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord.” I was anxious to see how the Lord would answer our prayers.

We didn't share with anyone that we were praying and searching for answers, but the answers starting coming almost immediately.  Throughout the 40 days we were approached on at least 10 different occasions from kids who were speaking answers to us without even knowing what they were doing.  Our doorbell rang one night and in walked a player who just needed to talk.  He said he knew he could stop by because he wouldn't be disturbing bed time with the little ones. Another player said that he knew if anything were to go wrong in the middle of the night that we could always be there for him and if he called he wouldn't wake up the baby.  Another shared that he could tell us things he couldn't or wouldn't share with his own parents. Another student said that we cared for her in ways her own parents didn't. Another said she knew I would always listen and could help her see that her mom truly loved her and wasn't just spying on her. The list goes on and on.  There was our answer!  We had children. God has given us children. They just all happen to be teenagers and play sports but they are OUR children. The answer had been in front of us the entire time. We just weren't seeing it because we had been so focused on our game plan and what we assumed was the right plan.  Our plan was for one, two or maybe even three children. We found that God’s plan was bigger. It involved hundreds of children.

Each year we take “family photos” with our boys at media day. After the games one of the boys will always gather “his brothers” and we take more family photos.  These photos are on our Christmas card every year. They are also found on my desk at work and all around our house.  We currently have one player that asks for pictures with his parents and “his other parents” after each game. We've even had people ask which parents are his actual parents. We are all one family.

These children may not be physically mine, but they are mine spiritually. The Lord placed me in the role of being the wife of a coach and in the lives of these athletes for a specific reason. I share in their joys and in their heartbreaks. I get to cheer them on each time they take the field or court. My coach and I go to prom every year and enjoy graduation parties, birthday parties, etc. We sit beside them in church. On Mother’s Day, I am wished Happy Mother’s Day by these precious athletes.  I am joyous when I watch as they come to know the Lord or for others grow in their faith. I am joyous when they go off to college and come back to see us. I love when they invite us to weddings and when I am introduced to their wives and children. Most importantly, I get to share with them scriptures that my parents shared with me when they are hurting or confused. I’m there to help them walk through the pains of growing up and through heartbreaks and sorrows. Just like Psalm 113:9 promises, I am the joyous mother of children.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  The Lord’s plans are always better than our plans.  We just have to stop and listen and sometimes revise our game plan along the way.

Step 1 – I am grown. Step 2: I am married to my Coach who is the man of my dreams. The man the Lord chose for me. Step 3 REVISED: I am a mother. I’m not just the wife of the coach. These are my children and I love each and every one of them as if they were my own because they are mine. Praise the Lord.

Cheering you on,

Laurel