It takes courage to try out

Isn’t life about taking chances and trying new things? Some will try out for a sport’s team, a theater performance, or even a new job. The expectation and hope following the tryouts is to hear “You’ve made the team!” or “You’ve secured the spot or position.” But with a limited number of positions and spots ~ someone or many will hear, “Sorry, not this time!” and others might hear “Sorry, This may not be your calling.” Regardless of the outcome, at least they tried.

My daughter tried out for the junior high volleyball team this week. Although the tryouts were a lot of work and her skills were in the “learning” stage, she worked hard and did her best. In preparation for tryouts she used the money she saved to purchase a volleyball and spent hours outside bumping, setting, and learning to serve in the my parent’s backyard. As I watched her practice with both her father and grandpa I was blessed with memories of my sister’s volleyball years.

My parents found Heidi’s volleyballs from her Bishop Cunningham days. Elation transitioned to despair as we noticed the volleyballs had dry rotted from being in storage and unused for so many years. Even though my daughter couldn’t use her aunt’s volleyballs, the conversations and memories flooded the Allen kitchen once again. Heidi was known as the “Tower of Power” in the early 90’s for her exceptional skills and kills on the volleyball court.  

The balls couldn’t be played with yet the writing brought both smiles and tears. “The Final Chapter” in black ink with the starters’ names listed below it. The girls were robbed of their Senior Year at BCHS due to a failing budget yet they didn’t let this ruin their spirit and spunk on the court. With the Hokey-Pokey playing as a warm-up song ~ the girls enjoyed each other and the game.

I am so proud of my daughter for trying out for the volleyball team this year. Although she didn’t make it past the first round of cuts, she did try. She endured the running and training with a positive attitude and hope. As she approached the van after the cut I watched her face. She wasn’t crying or distraught yet she was skipping with a joyful ear to ear grin. Hmmm? Once in the van, “I didn’t make it to the next round but God must have something else in mind for me.” I could have cried ~ first for her loss and second, for her trust in God for her future. We are super proud of her and I know her Aunt Heidi would be too…a great kid!

Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human master…