Monday, June 11, 2012

Judgement Day!

I just had a conversation with my son about what will take place tomorrow and the next few days as he tries out for the Houston Texans football team. Once I hung up the phone, I realized tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday is "Judgement Day." Everything that I have taught him about believing in himself, having confidence, poise and self-respect. Having the mental edge over others that have the same physical ability as you, but taking it a step further to have the mental capacity to see yourself achieving your dream, not just thinking about it. All the 5:00 a.m. swim practices to help build endurance. All the protein shakes and peanut butter sandwiches at night to help bulk him up for football. All the pep talks before a college game and the well wishes cards that said, "You can do it!" and "I am so proud of you!" EVERYTHING that has transpired during his athletic career from Pop Warner (basically being rejected because of his age vs. weight), to high school (where I could hear some dads in the stands saying how much my son sucked), to college (where during a discussion, one coach said, "It's not like he has the ability to play in the NFL!"), all of the trials and tribulation has led to these next few days.

How will he do? Will they like him? Will he outshine others in his same position? Will he walk the right way? Talk the right way? Show his athletic ability and agility the right way? Is he big enough? Is he fast enough? Is he strong enough?

As quickly as I thought of these questions, they left my mind just the same. Of COURSE he will do well! Doing your best is what he was taught to do! Of course he will pass Judgement Day because he has been taught how to fight through adversity, how to win people over, how to believe in yourself so others do too. He has been rejected, many times, and even told "you can't." Regardless of his circumstances and what people have said about him throughout his playing career, he has always persevered and shined in the end. He has proven many people wrong when they said he was too heavy, too tall, too slow, feet too big, and the one that still makes me scratch my head, not hungry enough. I laugh at this notion because not everyone that is hungry begs for food. Some people that are hungry learn how to fish so they are never hungry again.

So what is Judgement Day? It's an opportunity to show how much you believe in yourself, how confident you are and how well you have prepared to influence others of your belief. Judgement Day is not for the task at hand, but for displaying the blessings that GOD has bestowed upon you, and as His will, will be witnessed and received by all that are judging you. That, my friend, is Judgement Day.