Perseverance

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
-James 1:12

The past two weeks my little Abby has had to persevere a little. It is hard as a mom to watch but I know it builds character and confidence. If she can persevere with small things I know she can be strong and persevere in bigger things. I am only talking about swim team tryouts, nothing earth shattering or life altering but it did have an impact on who Abby is becoming.

Abby tried out for our community swim team, according to the swim guidelines she seemed to qualify. At her swim test she did as she was asked and was told "not this year" by the young lady running the test. There was little encouragement on how to improve or to try out again. Abby was devastated, she loves swimming, she wants to do this and she has several little friends who have done it and loved it. I came home defeated as well, did I misinterpret the requirements, should I have not had her tryout in the first place?

After discussing it with Mike and two friends whose daughters were on swim team I was encouraged to call the head coach and discuss the lack of feedback received and my disappointment with the whole process. Both of these women noted having to take their kids back 2 times in order to make the team. If Abby was clearly not ready that is fine, I don't want to be a "helicopter parent" but to not give much reason or guidance was not fine. She swims just as well as these two girls already on the team, it is 6-8 year old kids and I just wanted to be able to provide some info or instruction to Abby as to why she didn't make it. I am not a confrontational person, you could butt in front of me in line and I wouldn't utter a peep, so calling him was definitely out of my comfort zone. After speaking with the head coach he did provide feedback and welcomed her back for a second try. So Abby and I spent some quality time in the pool over the next two days and worked on all that he suggested. Abby really wanted to make the team and was diligent in her practice.

So about a week after her original tryout she passed the test with flying colors. We are officially registered for swim team and tomorrow morning I will find out which of the three teams she will be on. I am so grateful to those mom's for encouraging me to be an advocate for my child. I can only imaging how much she will improve after spending 6 weeks in the pool five days a week. I would have robbed Abby of the ability to persevere and overcome an obstacle and the opportunity to do something that will really benefit her in so many ways. Now had she not made the team after the second time we would have learned another lesson, that sometimes you don't get what you want but God always has a plan. I also know that that lesson will come all too soon, but for now we are enjoying Abby's accomplishment

So may I learn from my little Abby to persevere, in the small and big things. May we always persevere for Christ and our faith remain unshaken in the one who is unshakeable. Abby's reward for her current perseverance will be a medal or ribbon but our reward for standing up for Christ will be "the crown of life" . How awesome that will be!!