Gosh, I'm sore (active PTSD)

{Make the Comfortable Uncomfortable}

Shawn Hunter

       I was bit by a dog when I was seven years old. I'll never forget that day. It was the best and the worst day of my life. I mean, can it get any worst? Quick story line: I was visiting my cousins in Kansas and we were having so much fun.  Then I hovered over their dog when I leaned in too far. He nearly bit my nose off. I ended up bleeding like a volcano into a rag and got to chill out in the hospital almost entirely overnight. Two surgeries later, I am well, but I know I can be better than that. YA, I'd rather be a coach than a counselor.

   
     I've had many coaches influence me, and I am grateful for all of them, They deserve a round of applause and a huge hug! A coach pushes you to better than you are. A counselor will listen, but loves to give advice. Maybe a little too freely sometimes. I'll admit that I do that and it bothers others. I do what I do best and that's the gift God gave me. I got skills, you got skills, WE can all have skills. Yay for the freedom to use our gifts to our advantage and we owe it all to the BIG man upstairs. No, not your neighbor poppy or your roommate pippin,but to the one who created YOU. God wants us to excel in our unique skills. We all were created human and that's why he wanted us all to have our kooky, quirky gifts that some get and others don't. We embrace our gifts in our own lives. I love to see that when I work with children on soccer field even if I am not a professional soccer player. In any sport, I'll take that potential and drive.

Yes to God and No to Comfort, 

Rachel

Note to self and others: there's no easy step; only big leaps and little joys to drive you. TobyMac can tell you and so can TruDog.

The Rabbit and The Turtle

'Slow and steady wins the race' -The moral story of good ol' fashion competition


       Do you remember hearing this story as a kid? This story has always stuck with me through the years. If you haven't heard it, I'll explain it, as best I can, in a few short sentences. I am making up names because I can't remember every detail from my early childhood.

Story line: On one sunny day, Roger The Rabbit was feeling boastful and decided to challenge his friend Terence The Turtle to a race. When Roger wanted to race with Terence, this one thought was playing on repeat in his head, 'I will win because Terence is slow and I am fast'. He was SO excited to race! When it was time to race their Friend, Frank the Fox, was the judge and he had no idea what was in store. 1,...2,...3...! And they're off! Roger is sprinting through the Forest with all his might and Terence is way behind him, going slow and steady. When Roger looks back during the race, Terence is not in sight. He figures that this is his chance to take a quick break before he crosses the finish line. A quick break turned into a smooth slumber..... Roger wakes up feeling refreshed and ready to finish the race, only to find Terence is waiting for him at the finish line! In that moment, Roger was surprised and Terence was happy he made it because he took his time and finished the race.

       Well, that wasn't a few short sentences. I can't sell this story off of a short description because it's that GOOD. I love how The Rabbit feels like a winner from the start and The Turtle does not say, 'Hey, I may be slow, but I'm going to WIN, you wait and see'. Actions really do speak louder than words in this instance. The Turtle won because The Rabbit decided to take a nap. If you decide you didn't want to read the story or you already know it, know that you may be a sprinter or you may a steady jogger and that's where YOU are. You can decide which route you'll take and what is BEST for you.

Achy and tired, I write this at 6:30 am and it feels great because I'm an early riser. Anytime I get the chance to wake up in the dark to see the sunrise, it's exhausting to wake up, but the view is spectacular. No regrets. It stems from my childhood days when I woke up at 3 am for weekend swim meets. Oh yes, my parents raised me to LOVE the water and I do! I may have not liked racing in the lanes, but boy do I love to SWIM. On top of that, I was home schooled from day 1. It's funny because I initially wanted to learned because I saw my siblings studying and thought it was cool. Ya, I'm such a nerd! I asked my mom if I could start school. You know she was stoked when she heard that. I don't know how old I was when I said that, but I am so glad I did. As the baby of the family, I can truly say it's an honor and a struggle. I love the race, but I like to jump the gun and dive in. I encourage you to take your time through school or work, wherever you're at. I may not know you, but know this, God wants YOU and your learning style is probably different from mine and that's great. Let God take places because he wants to love you and achieve goals that you cannot fathom. 

Until next time, Rachel