Life Experience...Tests of Faith

A lot of you may know that I was a 3 time State Champion and 2 time National Champion Cheerleader at Greenup County High School. Wow, that seems like such a long time ago...



It was in those years that I gained a wealth of life experience that I never would have gained had I not been a part of that team. It molded me into the person I am today. It actually made me a better Christian...



On the life experience side of it, I learned about hard work, getting along with others and respecting a team. I learned that as an individual, I needed to be the best I could be to help make the team better. I learned to be committed.



I had the opportunity to cheer on the floor at Rupp Arena during state tournaments. I went to Kansas City for a week, met and cheered 2 games for the Kansas City Kings professional basketball team (all expenses paid). I met Patty LaBelle and Larry Zonka. I couldn't even begin to tell you all of my experiences. Going to Nationals alone was awesome, so was winning of course...



But on the flip side of things, I want to share the faith part of it and how it made me a better Christian. That's the most important part of it...



I learned that just because I was on the team, I didn't have to loose my individualism. I was a Christian and I didn't have to compromise who I was or my morals for anybody. During these years, I had several opportunities that I could have compromised who I was, but I didn't because of my faith in God. Many times I found my faith was tested. I had to stop and think about the consequences of what might happen if I let my guard down...



*Side note: Young people, if you are a Christian, you need to listen to that still small voice inside when making decisions. That's the Holy Spirit speaking to you.



Now as an adult, I know how to be an individual in all that I do. Whether it's being a church member, employee, wife, or parent, I have a responsibility to be committed to the things I do and be the best individual I can be. I need to listen to what God wants me to do.



We need to realize that our experiences in life effect us for the rest of our life. What will we do with them? I say we learn from them. Good or bad, we must let it change us for the better. If we've made mistakes, learn from them and turn them over to God. If we've had good experiences be thankful and share them with others.



Most importantly, know that we have to be in this world, but we don't have to be of the world. We never have to compromise who we are for anyone.