If at first, you don’t succeed…
Try Try Again.
Romans 5:4 – Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
We were getting ready for Lauren’s very first gymnastics meet. We were all very excited. I made sure to fix her hair, so not a strand was out of place and that her “used” but “new to her” competition leotard was pristine. On the way to the much-anticipated event, I gave her a pep talk to boost her confidence. Lauren always enjoyed “performing.” Just like any child, she thoroughly enjoyed the fan fare and applause after one of her “on the spot” singing and/or dancing performances while using our living room as her stage. However, this was very different. She was going to be judged by strangers, objective strangers, strangers who had no vested interest in helping to build her self-esteem. On the contrary, this could very well be Lauren’s first encounter with a dose of harsh reality and quite possibly immense disappointment. Was Lauren about to learn a very difficult, yet necessary lesson? Was she about to learn that the world is filled with trials and tribulation and not everyone in the room is necessarily going to have her back or cheer her on? I had no idea of the role of importance that this day would play in Lauren’s life and for years to come. Lauren was just a few months shy of her 8th birthday and was about to experience a true face to face trial. I was privy to her training sessions, because, as I’ve mentioned before, not only was this Lauren’s training facility but also one of my places of employment. I can attest to the fact that Coach Kim was one tough cookie. Years later Jeff and I credited her existence for acting as our disciplinary tool for our little, sassy, and strong-willed Lauren Ashley. Lauren probably respected Coach Kim more than she ever respected anyone up to that point and beyond.
The gymnasts marched in, pledged to the flag, sang the National Anthem, and were ready for the competition to begin. Lauren trained to compete in four areas: balance beam, floor, uneven bars and vault. For months, Coach Kim, repeated the same thing over, and over again, “Hurtak, no matter what, stay on that beam!” Staying on the beam, was especially important in competition, since falling off the beam deducted several points from the gymnast’s final score. After several weeks of training and hard work on both Kim and Lauren’s parts, the moment of truth had arrived.
Lauren’s first event was the balance beam. She strategically mounted the beam and began her routine. All went well for the first 3 seconds, but it seemed like the world stood still in that moment when she suddenly found herself on the ground next to the beam. I will never forget the look on her face. She was shocked, but she quickly recovered and mounted the beam once again to finish her routine. As if the first misstep wasn’t a mortifying enough experience for a child who decided this was what she was created to do, she fell off again. Her reaction the second time was more frustration than shock, and she very quickly remounted the beam and continued. Then came the third fall, her frustration turned into anger. She composed herself and got back up on that beam. She quickly found her focus, until she fell back off the beam for the fourth time. My heart sank for her. As her Mom, I wanted to swoop in and rescue her. I wanted to tell her we could leave that place and never look back. She could try ice skating or swimming, anything that didn’t require having to do flips on a 4-inch wide beam, several feet off the floor, but then I saw it. She wrinkled up her little nose, squinted her eyes and looked at that balance beam like David probably looked at Goliath the first time he saw him. There was no shock, no frustration, no anger and certainly no fear. I knew my Lauren, and I knew this look. It was her look of determination. I never knew Lauren to back down from anything. She was and still is, (besides maybe Brandon), the strongest willed person I’ve ever encountered. Lauren didn’t fall off that beam again. After her determination kicked in, she went on and completed all of her beam requirements. During the next rotation, she made up for the errors made on beam in her floor routine. She ended up placing in the top 3 and earning her very first gymnastics competition medal.
Lauren accomplished so much more than winning her first medal that day. She faced a difficult challenge in a public forum and “never quit.” She dealt with several different emotions including embarrassment, disappointment, frustration, anger, and through it all she overcame and persevered. Lauren’s perseverance defined her, not the countless bronze, silver and gold medals that she would go on to earn over the next 6 years. Perseverance built her character and kept her hope alive. Lauren inspired everyone watching that day. Lauren has since then refocused her passion from competitive gymnastics to her family and the special need’s community but most importantly, her Christian faith. She uses her strong will and perseverance to advocate for her children, especially her son, Zach, who has autism. She is the President of her own non-profit foundation, called Zach Speaks Inc. It was created to provide funds for autism therapy as well as encouragement and hope for those on their own autism journeys. She continues to teach all of us that perseverance and “never giving up” are required characteristics for those of us who want to encourage others, impact the lives of others, and most importantly share the unwavering hope we have in Jesus!
*Attached you will find a picture of Lauren proudly wearing the first gymnastics medal she ever earned, a picture of Lauren with Coach Kim, a picture of the last switch leap Lauren ever did at her very last gymnastics competition, and a picture of Lauren’s son Zach, several years later, at the very beginning of his autism journey. Both Lauren and Zach have been beautiful, awe inspiring examples of what God can do in our lives if we determine within ourselves to “Never Quit!”
