Forever Free

“Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain and accomplish for yourself.  It’s really what you do for others that matters.”  Herman Edwards

How true is this quote in your mind?  Before our journey through brain tumor h#@% and back I don’t know if I would have thought of success in this way.  Back then success was all about climbing the corporate ladder and accumulating stuff!  What a lesson we have learned!  Imagine how excited I was to find out this beautiful nugget of wisdom is being taught to a group of kids at Durant High School. 

Dirk and I were approached a few months ago by a friend of a friend who had heard our testimony at the Crossing Church (http://www.crossingonline.org/llywd week one).  Coach Jeff told us about a “little” project he and a fellow coach had started with his basketball team last year trying to teach them about success and what it does and does not mean.  He asked to help out our foundation, Giving Hope Through Faith, by raising enough funds to cover the expenses of one family ($1,500). 

A few weeks ago, the two coaches, Jeff Shotwell and Trent Tice, invited us to join them at a Success 101 meeting to explain the fundraiser to the kids.  As I sat and listened to Jeff and Trent teach not only their basketball players, but the cheerleaders and soccer team about the true meaning of success I wanted to put on my cheerleader outfit and do a cheer of praise!  Explaining how easy it is to think success is all about what you achieve for yourself, they shared how they had learned through their own experiences how untrue that was - that type of achievement is elusive and filled with pitfalls for those who pursue it.  They emphasized how true success is defined by the quality of relationships you have in your life and how you use your abilities to help others that are less fortunate.  Their words mirrored the quote above to a “T”! 

Hearing them explain how having a nice gym, eight county issued basketballs and their uniforms were all they “needed” for their team.  Having warm ups, new shoes, etc were things they might “want” but they certainly didn’t feel they warranted using any of the proceeds from their fundraiser for our foundation - they would give us 100% of the proceeds because they knew the families we help needed food, supplies and gas much more than they needed extras for their teams.  Amazing!

Imagine my surprise last Sunday when Dirk tapped me on the shoulder and pulled a wad of cash four inches thick from his pocket!  The Success 101 kids had already raised over $1,000 for us and had to order more backpacks to sell in their fundraiser!!  There are so many sad, disappointing stories circulating about the loss of values in the kids today - this blows all those stories away.  Mark one up for the good guys.  There are a bunch of true HEROES walking the halls of Durant High School.  Zach must be thrilled to see his Be A Hero wristbands around all their wrists as they learn what true success means in their lives.  Thank you Coach Jeff and Trent…and thank you to all the kids for working so hard to help out so many.  You all are shining brightly to those around you!

“Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who turn many to righteousness will shine like stars forever.” Daniel 12:3

Living to shine,

Sherry

Remember to join us for the book signing at Books-A-Million this Sunday from 2:00-4:00 pm at the Brandon Town Center Mall.  Anyone attending the book club discussion tomorrow night it will start at 6:00 and end at 8:00.