“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people” – Ephesians 1:18
My husband, Houston, is a huge sports fan! It doesn’t matter if it’s baseball, soccer, football, golf, or anything else; if it’s a sport, he’s going to watch it. Myself, I’m more of an I’ll cheer when everyone else is cheering and hope I’m cheering for the right team kind of “fan.”
Houston is always reading and watching shows about sports and shares with me the stories he loves. One of his, and now one of my favorites is Jimmy V’s speech from the ESPYs. If you haven’t watched it, believe me, you need to.
Jimmy Valvano was honored with the inaugural Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian award during a time in which he was also battling cancer. His speech is moving and inspirational. Just by watching this short but powerful speech, you can tell what a passionate guy he was.
During this amazing speech Coach Valvano say this, “When people say to me how do you get through life or each day, it’s the same thing. To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is thinking. You should spend some time in thought. Number three is you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think and you cry, and that’s a full that’s a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you’re going to have something special.”
When I read this, I’m reminded to take the time to be still and spend that time in thoughtful prayer while I talk with God. When I allow myself to be fully devoted to a time of prayer, I do all three of these things. I laugh at the memories made, I cry when I am giving my troubles over to the Lord to place in his hands, and I cry about this beautiful life I have and the happiness I am given each day. The important things in my life come into clear focus and I am able to replenish my soul. I am able to discover and rediscover what is important each and every day.
Meredith Lee, St. Luke’s Children’s Center Management
“I urge all of you, all of you, to enjoy your life, the precious moments you have. To spend each day with some laughter and some thought, to get your emotions going. To be enthusiastic every day’ ~Jimmy Valvano
