Because God loves us so much, He wants us to live our lives to the fullest. Like any loving parent, He wants us to use our God-given talents to make each day count. I think God uses those around us to encourage us to make the most of what God has given us.
For Taylor Robertson, that person was first her dad, and later her teammates, and even her NBA role model who she recently got to meet. Taylor is a member of the Oklahoma Sooners women’s basketball team. This is her last season and it’s been a special one. In a game against Iowa State in January, Taylor hit her 498th three-point shot, and that set an NCAA record for the most three-pointers in women’s college basketball.
For a girl from a small town in Kansas, she has always dreamed big, and it was her dad who encouraged her dreams and challenged her to shoot from downtown, beyond the three-point line. Taylor said her dad took her to the gym when she was just six. At first, her only goal was to hit the net, then the rim, and finally to sink the basket. Her dad, a long-time Sooner fan, was so excited when she chose to play for OU. Unfortunately, he never got to see her play in Norman. He died from cancer before her first game. After that, it was her teammates and coaches who inspired Taylor to greatness. She loves her team because they play selfless basketball, caring more about each other’s success than themselves.
Finally, Taylor has always idolized Golden State Warriors all-star, Steph Curry. Curry is the NBA’s all time three-point shooter and, as Taylor says, the best shooter on the planet. After “T-Robb” broke the record, she heard from none other than Steph Curry who congratulated her and invited her to meet him at a Thunder game the following week.
In our own lives, God has used lots of folks to inspire and encourage us… parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, and friends. In this season of Lent, as we contemplate God’s amazing love for us, think about whom you can encourage. There are children, youth, and young adults who have so much potential to do great things… to change our world. Some of them just need a nudge and maybe others a push to realize how God has blessed them. Let them know they can aspire to do great things with God’s help and a little encouragement from us.
Rev. David Poteet, Pastor of Congregational Care
