Dedication

I have a friend.  Personally we haven't known each other well for nothing but 8 months now, but it feels like we've known each other since birth.  I remember in 6th grade we were locker partners and really had no relationship whatsoever except "You know, people say I look like a grown woman." "Okay...?" *runs away*  But, this girl has done so much for me and been such an incredible Christian example in my life.  One of the most important lessons she has taught me is dedication.  Whether it's in sports, school, or a relationship with God, she always tries her best to do what's right and reach for the stars.

In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.  It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.  We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.  ~Albert Schweitzer

The other day she was telling me how sports have been really frustrating for her.  All season she has barely gotten to play her position.  Instead someone younger and less experienced is taking her place, even though the coach promised her to play a good amount this year.  The coach acts like she doesn't believe in her and that she has no confidence.  So one day she tried to address this to the coach and the coach began insulting her, calling her a liar and accusing her of playing badly while being SICK.  The girls on her team look and act weird around her, and one of them will barely even talk to her. 

Now I wouldn't have blamed her if she decided to tell off the coach and her teammates, and then leave the room with her bags and never look at any of them again.  I wouldn't blame her for quitting because it would be awful to be on a team that you have worked for years to be on and then be mistreated and under- appreciated.  That's not my friend though.  As she's always told me, "I'm not a quitter."  The next day at practice she gave more than her all and proved herself in the mile and finished in the top 4.  Still, her coach isn't impressed and continues to act rudely towards her.

Being put through that pain and humiliation doesn't just take guts.  It takes alot of faith and hardwork.  Just for her to be able to wake up in the morning and know that God makes everything happen for a reason and to make us stronger, inspires me to be as persistent as her and defiant against the odds.  Most kids would flee from the situation, but my friend, she has true grit.  In the dictionary "grit" is defined as "Indomitable spirit." I'd say that's an understatement for this girl.

It takes an indomitable spirit to solely want to go back to practice and work your tail off for people who ultimately do not respect you or appreciate you.  And to want to love and forgive them all the same is amazing in itself as well.  I know how difficult it is, because I have struggled with it in the pass and I continue to this day to ask God to heal the pain other people inflict. 

Basically, my friend is amazing.  If I hadn't started talking to her this year, I know my life would be headed in a different direction right now.  I would like to think (and know) that she is one of the people who have influenced me greatly this year to grow in my walk with Christ and never give up, no matter what the circumstances.  Her love and compassion seem so unlimited and she has always been there for me to talk at night or pray for me or just be there when I'm lonely.  Everyday I see her I can't help but smile and quietly thank God for blessing me with someone who legitimately cares about me enough to waste their time talking to little old me and who thinks of others before complaining about her own problems.  She is such an astounding testament of God's love and mercy, and the dedication she has to please Him is so strong that it intimidates me at times.  I love her all the same though, and I hope that one day I can repay her for being such a blessing in my life.

Nothing but heaven itself is better than a friend who is really a friend.  ~Plautus 

Love you girl, stay strong :)