Olympic dreams

Ok. I know the olympics are old news, but I had this post in my head I just didn't get it down until now. Do you know how that goes? I love watching the olympics from opening ceremonies to closing. I like the pagentry of the home country culture (and wasn't it spectacular!), the bio-stories of the athletes, the close races (men's swimming relay!), the realized dreams (Nastia and Shawn--women's gymnastics), the surprise medal finish (men's gymnastics)... I don't like to see it, but it is part of the games--the disappointment of unrealized dreams so close. When I was younger, I wished that I could do something like that. Now that I'm older and wiser, I know there is no way I'll ever reach olympic gold. And I'm fine with that as I watch my kids practice sprints up and down the hall, timing themselves as they train for thier olympics! We'll see!

I may not reach a gold medal, but I do have dreams. I have three precious children that it is my job to train and prepare for life. After the Israelites left Egypt, wondered in the dessert, finally entered the Promised Land, and defeated their enemies, it was time to inhabit their Promised Land. Joshua sent them out with this charge:

But be careful to obey all the commands and the instructions that Moses gave to
you. Love the Lord your God, walk in all His ways, obey His commands, hold
firmly to Him and serve Him with all your heart and all your soul.

Joshua 22:5

When I send my kids out on their own, they need to know these things. Am I living the example? Am I intentionally teaching them God's Word? These are my training days that I need to put in the work no matter who is watching. And one day, they will be mature adults who love God, walk in His ways, obey Him, hold on to Him and serve Him. That will be my realized dream moment.

Moms have a hard job and much of it goes unnoticed and unappriciated. If I can encourage you, my fellow moms, along the way, I would say keep doing what you are doing--God sees! I had seen this story in an email before, but Nicole Johnson brings it to life so well.