Reflection
I’ll never forget a moment after a game in college. We had won, but we played like we didn’t care. After a tirade of choice words, our coach stopped, looked at us, and asked, “Have any of you ever been spoken to like this before?”
A few teammates shook their heads, indicating “no.”
I raised my hand and said, “Yes. My high school coach demanded the same level of excellence.”
Those two coaches were the most demanding mentors I’ve ever had. They pushed me beyond what I thought I was capable of. They weren’t after perfection—they were after effort. They wanted to know: What happens if you give everything you have, every second, every possession?
Because of their relentless standards, I grew—not just as an athlete, but as a man. Today, both coaches are close friends. Every time we talk or text, I tell them I love them. They impacted me so profoundly that I still draw from their lessons to this day.
Oh, and by the way, I used to hate both of those guys. 🙂
Facts
Not every blessing feels like a blessing at first.
God uses difficult people to develop patience, humility, and resilience.
Gratitude shifts our question from “Why me?” to “What is God developing in me?”
Some people sharpen us.
Some teach us boundaries.
Some reveal areas needing growth.
Every one of them is part of God’s shaping.
Soul Search
Who has God used to refine you?
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” — Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
