FCA large group huddles at SMSU have truly been a blessing to me while here on campus. Hearing testimonies is very impactful and can help give focus and/or redirection to one's faith life. I'm so grateful to each of the community members who have blessed us with their life story.
Our Women’s Basketball small group huddle is also very empowering. A fair portion of my team attends these meetings, and I believe it does wonders for our team chemistry, translating to our success on the court. Linda and Jess, our small group huddle coaches, have lots of knowledge and life experience and always give us an opportunity to ask questions relating to faith or life in general.
In these small and large group huddles, you can truly feel God’s presence. Praise the Lord for His work in the ministry of FCA that has allowed for spaces and places where we, as athletes, can create deep, faith filled connections with our teammates.
FCA huddles have helped show me how to walk in faith as an athlete. I'm learning that the way I present myself on and off the court is impactful, not just for me, but for others too. I know there are young girls and boys that look up to us as athletes and will often emulate how they see us behave. What a great opportunity to show younger athletes what following Jesus and playing a sport ought to look like. I'm also learning how to trust the body I've been given and God's plan for me.
God has been calling me to share my story through my sports journey. There have been many times when life seems to be going along smoothly and then something challenging happens; a torn ACL, a parent illness, or the death of loved ones. Perhaps you can relate.
In the summer between my sophomore and junior year of high school, I tore my ACL and meniscus during an AAU basketball game. I recovered from that in 9 months, missing my junior year of basketball. The following summer, before my senior year, I tore the labrum in my shoulder, requiring surgery and another 6-month recovery process. I was able to recover from my shoulder injury in time to play my senior season of basketball. The summer before my freshman year of college, I re-tore the same labrum which required yet another shoulder surgery. This injury prevented me from playing my freshman year of college basketball at SMSU.
I struggled with thoughts of “God, why me?” I spiraled into feelings of anger towards Him for putting me through so many trials and hardships in a short amount of time. I quickly realized that my perspective needed to change. I started asking, “What is God trying to teach me?" During this time of redirection, I experienced tremendous growth in my faith and overall attitude. I was not alone in my sadness and frustration, Jesus was walking by my side every step. Each of these injuries and setbacks taught me some very important lessons about trusting God's plan.
I've learned that times of challenge are often the way that God teaches important lessons. There is always something good that comes out of the unfortunate, whether it be a new skill, a deepening of faith, or a hidden plan for something greater later in life. There is no testimony without the test.
My goal of becoming a Physical Therapist, having been through injury recovery multiple times myself, gives me a unique understanding of what my future patients will be enduring. I pray that my sports injury journey, along with my faith, will help them, and you, to see that anything is possible with God by your side.
