What is a Champion?

Champion, a word I have heard about 1000 times in the last year. "We Build CHAMPIONS", You are a CHAMPION, Looking for our CHAMPIONS....What a word. Even though I hear it at least once a day it never really hit me nor did I ponder, what that word really means. What does it mean to build a Champion? Am I really a Champion? And how does one find a Champion?

Today once again while I was running the Lord went to work on my simple little mind. When we hear the word Champion most of us think of the winning team at the Super Bowl or Sporting event. When I think of a champion I would consider it to be someone who had concord above the rest in their field. Or someone who accomplished something most would view as impossible. Well that is, until today. I say with confidence that a Champion is someone who gets in the game or the "race" to finish. Someone who believes more in their own motivation and what they can see than what others tell them.

A champion in my mind is what Christ desires each of us to be. God did not create the world for us all to live a defeated life. Beaten down by others words and expectations of us. No in fact He sent a CHAMPION to save us. Jesus Christ came into this world with the intention to finsh the race. He knew that others would laugh at him, mock him, think he was crazy, but did it stop Him from fulfiling what he saw as the answer? Nope I beilieve it made Him believe more in his cause because He saw what no one else could, victory. Victory over death. Victory over mockery. Victory over disbelief and poplularity.

So how do we build a Champion? We love them, we encourage them, we support them and continue telling them time after time, question after question, doubt after doubt, ridicule after ridicule. "Believe in what you know, and trust the Lord to complete it."

How do we find a Champion? We can't. A champion has to find their own identity. We cannot teach someone to be a champion, we can teach them or show them they are worth believing in, but until someone believes in themselves, the champion cannot emerge. Once we surrender to the plan God has for each of us and get on the path that is 100% dependent on him in ALL areas of life, and without the thought of "Well if this doesn't work..." nope champion mind set is "Lord you have placed me on this path and I will follow no matter how long, no matter how hard,..." There is no turning back, that is when we become a champion. It is not when we finish, it is simply choosing to get in the race.

Am I a Champion? Yes. I am a champion who is 100% dependent on the Lord. I am a Champion who will not quit no matter how long, how hard, I will not quit. God finally after 32 years has my undivided attention and I will finish the race. I got in this race to win, but when I realized the success is not in winning but in finishing, all became possible.

Are you a Champion? Are you ready for God to be the SOLE director and creator of your path? Are you willing to do whatever it take, however long to finish the race? If the answer is yes, then congratulations you are a CHAMPION!

A Mother's Day Reflection

For some people Mother's day is their day to sit on a throne and be pampered. To not lift a finger for the day and allow others to serve them in every way possible. If that is something that you look forward to then by all means have at it. For me however, Mother's Day is a day to remind me how lucky I am to be a mom.

It is a time of reflection to remind me what a BLESSING it is to have these two little people who call me mom. God did not have to allow me that honor. He did not have to provide children to me as some humanitarian right. Nope I don't deserve the right to parent simple because I am a female and am breathing. This opportunity is a blessing. And it's a blessing that some have to work harder to get then others. Some of us don't have bodies that will support carrying a child to birth. But good thing child birth does not define one as a "mother". To me being a mother is being someone who puts the needs of those they care for above their own.

It's opportunity to influence and encourage a life to be more than originally thought. I love talking with my oldest about what he is going to be when he is a "man". He loves to ask questions and talk about the future. I find that even now although he speaks in the future, the shaping of his character and heart begin now. What I do now as a mother will have great influence on how he treats others and the type of women he marries. Not to mention it will define how he himself acts as a parent.

Wow! What responsibility! Overwhelming? No just a reminder to always keep myself in check. Boastful? Absolutely not, being a mom is one of the most humbling realities in life. Exciting? Always, an adventure that never ends. Worth it? Every moment. Even on days when my children do nothing but scream and fight, I find myself thankful that I am still here with them and that they are here with me.

Mother's Day may be what some refer to as a "Hallmark Holiday", but for me it is a day when I strive to spend every waking moment with my family. I do try to not care about household chores and tasks, just for a day, but not because I am the queen, but because I am blessed and I want my family to know I feel blessed to be with them.

Happy Mother's Reflection Day Everyone!