I Thought I Found My Hero
I thought I had found him. It was the year 2000. I had just finished reading, It’s Not About the Bike, by Lance Armstrong. I had been following Armstrong’s Tour de France accomplishments for a few years and was so excited to have a role model to aspire to in the Sports world.
I was really impressed by this athlete who had battled cancer, created a foundation, continued to train no matter how tough it got, and ultimately kept winning races.
I was Devastated
Fast forward to 2013. I remember the way I felt watching Lance Armstrong’s interview with Oprah Winfrey. When Lance admitted to using banned performance-enhancing drugs, my heart sunk. I was devastated. I had looked up to this sports hero and had been seeking his example for determination, grit, and resilience for a long time.
I remember telling my Dad how upset I was that Armstrong had lied. That day my Dad told me something I have not forgotten. He said, “It doesn’t matter how important, athletic or famous a person is, he or she will always let you down, simply because the person is a human.
You won’t find the Perfect Sports Hero. It’s God who won’t let you down.” Ecclesiastes 7:20 says this exactly. “Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.”
Compartmentalize the Strengths
Whether it be Kobe Bryant, Lance Armstrong, or Tom Brady, athletes, just like each one of us are not perfect. Let an athlete’s strengths inspire you.
Compartmentalize what he or she does well, and do not give attention to the negativity.
Interested in a Daily Faith Boost?
This post comes from a devotional series called 4:00 AM Faith. It is written each morning and sent in a condensed format to several people. If you are interested in receiving a daily faith boost, email me at lmcdonell2001@yahoo.com and specify if you would like it to be sent as email or text, and if phone number, provide the number.
Enjoying Every Mile 