This Is A LOOONG Break From Volleyball

I am writing this on May 8, 2020. The last day I was in the gym coaching was March 10, 2020. It has now been 8.5 weeks and will be at least 2 more. Sigh.

I just looked at the last post I made on February 12th titled "What is God's will for me right now?" Who would have thought that a month later His will would be that our lives would be turned upside down.

I'm not gonna lie...this has been hard for me. The hardest part hasn't necessarily been not coaching, but all the changes that happened so fast and the fact that I didn't agree with everything that was happening. I felt so deflated every. single. day for a couple of weeks. The 2 hardest parts for me were that I couldn't go to the gym to work out and my long time friend had to cancel her trip here in March.

During my friend's visit, we were going to enjoy a day of hiking at Enchanted Rock. Since I already had a babysitter lined up and had purchased the passes, I went anyway. By myself. As much as I REALLY wish my friend had been there, I had an absolutely GLORIOUS day exploring and relaxing.

While I was at Enchanted Rock, I spent some time sitting next to a lovely stream near some bluebonnets. After I took a short nap, I was reading my Bible and asking God to reveal to me what He wants me to learn during this. I was reviewing some passages that God had used to speak to me during difficult times through the years. One of my favorites ones is Isaiah 42-43. But while I was reading this particular one, something different stuck out to me that I hadn't paid much attention to before.

Isaiah 42:10

"Sing to the Lord a new song,

You who go down to the sea,

and all that is in it,

You who go down to the sea,

and all that is in it,

You coastlands and you inhabitants of them!"

Then I remembered Psalm 40:3

"He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God;

Many will see it and fear,

And will trust in the Lord."

I looked up several other passages where the author (mostly in the Psalms) says "Sing to the Lord a new song" and I have been meditating on them ever since. That day, though, sitting by that stream I began to ask the Lord:

"What is the new song you are going to give me through this?"

To be honest, I'm not entirely sure if there is a particular new song that I am supposed to sing, or multiple songs. I do know this - I am not in control. Prior to this, I had been asking the Lord to show me the areas of my life when I don't have to try to control things - little things - and He has been FAITHFUL to answer. And now this. Guess what, Laura, there is NOTHING you are in control of now and NOTHING you can do about it.

Pandemic Lesson #1

I can't control everything going on in my world. Even when I try to control small aspects of my day or the people around me, I can't. It may sound strange, but I feel like when God has made major changes in my life I have had an easier time with that than the small daily changes. Now, by God's grace, I'm seeing all of it in His hands.

Pandemic Lesson #2

Everything in life is designed to draw me closer to my Heavenly Father. Everything. I know it might not be as easy once real life kicks in again, but I have been diving into scripture and praying more than before.

Pandemic Lesson #3

I have grown and changed over the course of the years that I have walked with God! Hallelujah! The reason I say this is that I have survived being without volleyball and that is huge. For so many years I put my identity in myself as a player and a coach. NOW, I have the freedom to think about volleyball or not. And that is ok. I don't have to think about volleyball all the time. Being a parent has definitely changed this. Now, while I don't have any volleyball to think about, I have the freedom to do some things I have been wanting to do and haven't gotten around to. And I have the freedom to think about volleyball too. Both are ok.

What have you learned during this time?

#coachforhisglory