What Happens When We Hope

My Mary and her teammates board a plane at 6am in the morning for the Division II Softball National Championship Tournament to be held in Denver.

Getting to this place hasn't been especially easy, particularly for Mary. After two years of playing for a nearby community college, breaking records, coaching, and loving life, she transferred to UNA after a year hiatus from ball. The year between playing seasons proved to be quite challenging. There were relationship hurts, job disappointments, and those challenging years when your friends are marrying, moving, etc.  Yet, the year brought growth as opportunities opened up for Mary to come on board at UNA to return to her passion of ball. After the fall pre-season games, the holidays, and her first semester, Mary was the player posting the following at the beginning of the season:

Mary Graves

January 11 · Instagram · 

Today is the day it begins. Today is the day we begin our fight for a conference title and a national championship ring. If one of us fails we all fail. If one of us succeeds we all succeed. The beauty of a having such an incredible team is that each individual has a different skill that will fill the flaws of another individual. We are a team of strength, confidence, talent, and hard work. We will do whatever it takes to overcome our opponents. I love this family.
LETS FREAKING GO. 💜💛🦁💛💜

I believe this post was only a couple of days before Mary broke her hand while moving a sofa down a flight of steps helping a friend to move. As a mom, might I say the next 8 weeks were LONG AND HARD. The injury Mary sustained kept her from returning to the game this year; although, she eventually resumed work outs and practices. There were lots of texts, conversations, prayers, etc. And over the course of the season, I watched something beautiful take place.

Mary's own fan base:)

Mary's teammates and roommates!

Mary's role changed for the team. She became for them what she's been for me and our family. A strong support. My daughter has taught me more about hope the past 18 months than I've ever known. She's taken the hard places of this season of life and found hope to press on believing good was in store for all.

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isa 40:31

When we are walking in difficulties, when the pain is great and the circumstances aren't changing, we can rest in the peaceful contentment of Christ...I shared with Mary I can only imagine what God has been preparing her for these past 18 months because there has been disappointment after disappointment.

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow faint or weary and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary" Isa 40:28-30 I've seen this verse come to life in Mary as He strengthened her.

How are you instilling hope in the lives of your own children? Are you hopeful? You cannot share what you do not have. Life can be so so challenging. Would you ask God today to show you how He is your hope in this world for a life of peace and joy in spite of your present circumstances?

You can watch Mary and the rest of the UNA Lions as they take on  Arkansas Tuesday 5pm cst. It will be live streamed on the UNA website.

Go LIONS!