Practice makes perfect

Practice makes perfect. Isn't that always what we hear from our parents when we are trying something new and at first we struggle at whatever it is we are trying to do. Even though we may not achieve perfection, we try and learn from our mistakes and from that we improve on our task at hand.

When I joined youth hockey, we got together several times a week to hone our skills. We practiced our skating, stick handling, our slap-shot. At the beginning, we were not very unified. We got to know each other more and more as the season went by. We listened to our coach and tried to do what he wanted us to do. In games, we took what we learned in practice and applied it to the games. There was success and failures. When we got penalized, we went to what can be referred to the "sin bin". When we went to the sin bin, our team would skate with one less player on the ice- we were short handed, leaving our teammates to fend for them selves. WHILE in the sin bin, you sit there with some shame in front of everyone for two minutes- sometimes longer depending on your penalty. Upon the passing of the two minutes, you anxiously wait to get out on the ice and hustle back to help your team and continue the match.

Being a christian is not easy. The more we get to know Christ, the tougher the enemy get as well. We are to pick up our cross and follow Him. Meaning that, we too, will suffer, endure tough challenges. We cannot do this on our own. I am weak, a failure in many aspects, a slow thinker... but I am blessed because I rely on Jesus to help me achieve my goals. Christ wants us to rely on Him for EVERYTHING. I am merely a co-pilot, and I rely on the pilot to direct where I go. I suffer, but Christ is there to carry much of the burden, to help me carry my cross everywhere I go.

Prayer IS essential to living and existing here on earth. To live according to the word requires prayer. We need to submit our needs in prayer and supplication to the Lord. We can often take for granted all that is around us, all of what God is doing. He is around us. If you try and hide, He is... hiding with you. God is here. God is there. God makes the clouds. Try looking at life through God's perspective and acknowledge what He is doing in this world. Often people complain about the weather, but this is the day that the Lord has made. Praise Him for beautiful weather, for wonderful sunsets. 

I always wondered why I was and accomplished hockey player, why me? Why was I good? But, always thankful for playing a great sport, I realize that it was for God's glory. God can use my past for His glory so I can tell stories or scenarios of what I went through.