About a month ago, I said the sweetest words I have ever heard were from my dentist. But today, when my niece called and told me that the judges reversed their decision on the final selection for the 2007cheer leading team; now those were truly the sweetest words I have ever heard.
In her world cheerleading is everything. She started off as a tumbler when she was three and from there went to competitions on private teams. Then in middle school, in addition to tumbling she became a cheerleader. She eats, drinks, sleeps and thinks tumbling and cheerleading, 24-7.
When she first discovered she didn’t make the team, she was devastated. She cried for two days straight. My heart went out for my sister because she didn't know how to console her daughter. My job was to offer words of encouragement and hope to them both, but privately. I explained that sometimes God’s will wasn’t what our plan was. And that God could very well be protecting her from something that we don’t know about. I encouraged them to trust God. He created Tumblina Niece and this would be an opportunity for her to take the high road. She still had to train the other “new” cheerleaders. My self-esteem could have never handled that situation like she did. Tumblina Niece gave the new team her best. As if that wasn’t enough drama for the child, she discovered the “new” cheerleaders were going to take private instruction from her teacher at the same time, in an environment that was hers, where she was the lead; she handled it like a pro. I don’t think she flinched once. Of course, her mom and I were freaking out.
Exactly three weeks since tryouts and the final announcements Tumblina Niece was making new plans for her life. She was wrapping up first period in physical education, with her hair all wet and sweaty; when the news traveled down the hall like a bolt of lightning. The judges reversed their decision for some of the cheerleaders. Then Tumblina Niece heard her name announced over the intercom to come to the principal’s office. Her heart fluttered like a butterfly. She grabbed her tennis shoe, one on, one off and ran like the wind. The joy of the Lord had been her strength. Oh my goodness, my sister is raising a woman, according to Proverbs 31:25 (NLT), “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future.”
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