Welcome to Three-Peat Tuesday!
Building from my recent book UNBEATABLE! Seven Pillars of Personal Excellence, each blog will contain three P’s: Pillar, Principle and Practical, all geared towards nourishing you on your personal and spiritual growth journey.
Pillar: World Class Faith
“I have finished the race. I have kept the faith”-The Apostle Paul in his second letter to Timothy
Principle: World Class Hearts
So, the races have finished. The Tokyo Games are over, and the memories are myriad. Despite my initial skepticism about these Olympics taking place during the pandemic, I must confess that the sport performances were world class, fitting for an event of this magnitude and stature.
However, a couple of “off-the-field” incidents captured my heart. They both came from the Jamaican camp. Hansle Parchment is now the gold medal winner in the 110-metre hurdles for men. Yet, he was so close to missing it all.
Listening to music on his earphones, Parchment mounted the wrong bus thinking that he was en route to the athletics venue. A volunteer graciously handed him taxi-fare because returning to the Games village to get the right bus would make him miss his semi-final. Having won the final brilliantly, Parchment made it his business to find the volunteer, gave her the gift of a Jamaican sports polo and repaid the taxi-fare. World-class.
Candice Mc Leod, bronze medal winner in the 4x400m women’s relay, has a championship heart. To help with her financial needs before the Olympics, Mc Leod reputedly worked 16 hours a day, apart from her time in the gym to train. As my wife Michelle and I marveled at what we were hearing about Mc Leod, Michelle simply asked, “So when does she sleep?” This is what true heroes are made of.
Congratulations, Hansle. Well done, Candice. Thank you, Japan.
Practical: World Class Courage
You may be facing a major decision in your life right now. Step into it with courage, boldness and faith. There is a champion in you.
If you were inspired by this blog, please consider sharing it with one other person today. To learn more about these and other related themes that promote the cultivation of an integrated inner self, read UNBEATABLE! which is now available on Amazon in print and as an e-book.
This Post Has 6 Comments
Parchment’s story is nothing short of divine intervention. God is intricately involved in everything that concerns us.
I really appreciate the “off the field” incidents, Tyrone; in these stories/testimonies, there has been so much of God all over it. He is very present on and off our “personal fields.”
I agree, Ronke. Often, when we think God is absent he is orchestrating so many things on our behalf. Divine grace at its best!
Great insight! Both of those stories are very inspiring and faith-building. They show that God keeps giving us that kiss on the cheek to let us know that He is and continues to be there for us. He gives us the lift that we need when we may be at our lowest. In the case of Candice, God is working on her character, molding her and making her stronger in her determination to achieve her goals. In the case of Parchment, can you imagine how he would have felt if he had not been able to get to the stadium? But God put that volunteer in the right place at the right time. And God may have been working on that volunteer as well, showing how a “small” act of kindness can change a person’s life. Thanks for bringing those stories to the forefront.
Beautifully summarized Nicole! When divine guidance and human submission come together, great things happen.
This Olympic was truly inspirational. A lot of great memories. 123, Uno dos tres. Not only because Jamaica contributed to a world class Caribbean success but God simply being gracious and hearing the stories of the many athletes. Tears of excitement flowed as we celebrated with the athletes and heard their stories of what it took to see them accomplished their dreams in their well fought races.
True, Michelle. These Olympics produced so many inspiring and heroic stories, in spite of the many challenges the world currently faces.