I listened to a video this morning by Scott Hamilton, the Olympic skater. He has had trouble once more with a brain tumor which has come back for the third time. In the video he said he was born with the tumor, but during his skating years it was asymptomatic. He now has a skating academy, which trains other potential Olympians. This school also helps train people about life.
The first thing Mr. Hamilton teaches skaters is how to get up, for they are going to fall. He wrote a book, “Fall Down, Get Back Up and Smile Just Like Kristi Yamaguchi.”
As he said in the video, there is a life lesson in falling down and getting back up. “I’m gonna fall down. I’m gonna make mistakes. I’m gonna do all kinds of things I wish didn’t happen. But it is what’s next. It’s how you get up. Because the more times you get up, the stronger you are to face the next thing which will happen. Because that’s life.”
Without knowing it, his philosophy is the same as mine. We can choose to wallow in self-pity, or get up, dress up, and show up for life. Life indeed goes on, and God is right there in the midst of His faithful children’s storms. It is up to us to choose if we will let it destroy us or make us stronger, and in that strength to help others face their storms just as Scott Hamilton.
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1).
“Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us.” (Psalm 62:8)
“Fear thou not; for I Am with thee: be not dismayed; for I Am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10)
“When a road comes to an end
I’m where you start again
I’m never farther than a word away
You’ve always got a friend . . . . . ” ~ Criswell
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
It’s all in the attitude.
“The tougher the fight, the more important the mental attitude.” ~ Michael Landon
Eileen Light