Relay Anchor Goodness

Where do good gifts come from?

As we all find ourselves in the aftermath of Christmas; wrappings, ribbons, and boxes left from the gifts that were given out of love to loved ones. Clean up is essential as we prepare for a wrap up of another year. Reflection allows us to realize that love can be grown from a good gift. Who doesn't feel love from having received a good gift?

The innocence of a child can be such a gift when you are in his or her presence. An image of goodness from my youngest, who when he was 8 years old, would anchor the relays for his 7-8 boys summer swim team. He knew he had a job, and was always ready for his task at hand. As his teammate would approach the wall, where he stood, goggles on and streamline focused on his teammates little hand reaching for the wall, Kyle would dive in the pool. His dive was that of a seasoned teenage swimmer. He would catch up just from his act of pushing off the wall in his long streamline and smooth underwater glide and kick. However, he usually had half a pool length to overcome when he entered the pool. His dive would recover half of that deficit. When he would surface, his little arms would turn over so quickly, and his kick would be like a little motor. With only about 16 seconds or less to catch and pass his opponent, oftentimes, the reach at the opposite end of the pool would determine the outcome of the race. Almost every single time, it was Kyle who would reach for the wall first. Several parents from the swim team would come up and tell me how much they enjoyed watching this part of the night at every swim meet. This innocent little child, diving in to accomplish his purpose with sheer confidence and determination. This was a gift to me and to so many others who watched and cheered on Kyle's anchor swim for his relay.

A relay is comprised of four semi-equally matched swimmers. Usually, the fastest is the anchor of the relay. Although there are circumstances when the anchor of the relay is a swimmer who is known to be a relay swimmer. Which means, he or she is able to rise to the challenge of putting together an unimaginable swim for his or her standards. This was witnessed at the 2008 Olympics when Michael Phelps' teammate and relay anchor leg of the 400 M Freestyle Relay, Jason Lezak, passed the French anchor leg to capture gold. Michael had won 7 gold medals at this point, and this was his last race. One more gold would allow Michael to break the record of the most gold medals won at an Olympic Games. The fact that Michael accomplished this feet was a miracle. It was also a gift to witness, and I'm sure to accomplish.

Gifts come in all shapes and sizes. They are sometimes earned. Although, not always deserved. God calls us to use our talents in this life. However, the greatest gift that any of us could be given, is the gift of eternal life and glory received with Christ in the afterlife. We just celebrated His birth, and will soon celebrate His resurrection. Christ completed His purpose in His life, one that was painful and self-sacrificing. He went to the cross for each and everyone of us, because of our sin. He remained determined and committed til the end of His life, out of love for each and every one of us. His gift was one given out of love. And all we have to do to receive this gift, is BELIEVE.

If your eyes are blinded and you are not following the light, may you be persuaded to follow. He longs for you to understand that He is the light, the truth, and the way. All things are possible for God. Sometimes, we need the help of a teammate to catch up and pass the opponent. We are not always able to accomplish and receive all the goodness on our own, from our own will. This is why God gave us His Son, Jesus Christ.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." -James 1:17