Reformation Lutheran Church A Congregation of the ELCA

Thursday, February 26
Read 1 Samuel 17

Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the wadi and put them in his shepherd’s bag, in the pouch; his sling was in his hand, and he drew near to the Philistine. (v 40)

BEATING GOLIATH

Anyone who knows me knows that sports are my life. I do better in the classroom and I am more tolerable at home (according to my mother) when I am crazy active.

I blew out my knee in November 2010, and I could not participate in sports for six months. I struggled a lot in that time because I did not know what to do. I felt like I had lost part of my identity. Luckily for me, God put an amazing support system into my life. My coaches kept me involved with the teams; my athletic trainer pushed me in my rehab and turned it into a new sport; and my Reformation family was always there for me.

I would not have survived those six months without the youth group. I could not wait for Soul Food each week. The time with everyone and the meaningful conversations filled me up and kept me sane until the next week. Youth Zone that year was an incredible experience that I will never forget. It helped me grow in my faith.

God definitely knew what he was doing when he put our amazing leaders in my life. I cannot count the number of times one of the youth leaders or PK was there for me as I had a total mental breakdown. They kept reminding me that God has a plan and to just trust and believe. Their support during that time, and the continued support now from everyone around me, is proof that God is a rock I can lean on, a rock that will always be there.

Even now, as I struggle through a similar situation, God has placed the right people there to keep me going. Again, I have incredible coaches and supports at school. God continues to amaze me, because just when I think it is too hard and I think about quitting a sport, or dropping a minor, he puts another support in my path, and they help me to keep pushing on.

God supported David and gave him the strength to beat Goliath, just like he continues to give me strength through other people.

Eileen Vlamis


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