Champions

This week I had the privilege of attending a Hope in the City breakfast sponsored by The Salvation Army. The guest speaker was Catriona Le May Doan, the Canadian Olympic Speed Skating Champion and gold medal winner in two consecutive Olympic games.
Catriona is an inspiration to everyone who strives to do his or her best, especially to those who try and then fail, but who get up and try again. While the bio on her website speaks only of her wins, at the breakfast she spoke of one of her most devastating failures in a championship race when she fell and came in last place - 33rd in a field of 33 skaters. While she spoke a video played on a nearby screen showing her falling and crashing into the wall.The event caused her to doubt herself she said. She wondered if she had what it took to be a champion.
Catriona told about how she overcame those negative thoughts and went on to become the fastest woman on skates in the world.
As she spoke, I wished that every child and teenager who has ever failed a test or did not qualify for a team could hear her story. I thought too of all the people who have been let go from their jobs during these difficult economic times and who have not been able to secure new jobs yet. The message is simple: never give up.
In one of my Bibles I have a bookmark that was given to me by the residents of one of the seniors residences I used to visit. The bookmark contains a poem The Road Ahead by Helen Steiner Rice and read like this:

Often your tasks will be many, and more than you think you can do.
Often the road will be rugged, and the hills insurmountable, too -
But always remember, the hills ahead are never as steep as they seem,
And with faith in your heart, start upward and climb till you reach your dream.

My God give you the courage and faith to reach your dreams for His glory.