molding Godly hearts x 3

Hurricane Storm Invitational

Okay, to be fair, we were warned by the name of this competition that it would be a DISASTER! The girls competed at Monroe Area High School today and again, looked awesome. That was not the disaster ... this disaster was man-made, by the organizers! At the middle school level the schools are divided into two categories, small and large, based on how many cheerleaders take the floor. Without going into great detail - because of how we are scored, points for amount of tumbling, amount of stunts, etc. it would be nearly impossible for a team of 16 (small) to compete with a team of  20-30 (large). Well, apparently, the organizers of this competition did not know this (very scary thought!) or didn't care, or maybe, didn't want to buy a lot of trophies with OUR money. So, our girls placed second behind the only large school competing. We had no idea that we would be scored together and to make matters worse, the judges didn't know they were scoring all teams together, either! Oh, wait a minute, there is more ... Makenzie's stunt group participated in the "lib-off". The goal here is to be the last group standing in a "liberty". (Her group was the only middle school stunt group to participate.) They out lasted every group competing with the exception of one. The DISASTER here is the flyer in the other group dropped her leg at least three times, obviously not a liberty, and was never called out! So, again, Second Place for the First Place team!

But, here is where it gets good ... is that why we allow and encourage Makenzie to cheer? For the medals and trophies? For the glory? No, of course not. We want our kids to enjoy life, find their passion, learn about teamwork, but mostly, we want to mold Godly character in each of them. So, today, we have the opportunity to teach (and model!) just that! James says it like this, "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." (2-4 The Message) So, today I am praying that her Second Place finishes are growing her into the the Godly woman that above all else is pleasing to Him.