In 2012, 14-year-old Lola Anderson watched two UK rowers win Olympic gold. Lola wrote in her diary, “My name is Lola Anderson and I think it would be my biggest dream in life to go to the Olympics and represent Team GB in rowing and, if possible, win a gold medal.”
She felt embarrassed and threw away the note. Her dad found it in the trash, retrieved it, and stored it in a safe deposit box.
Fast forward seven years. Her dad was terminally ill with cancer. Two months before dying, he gave the note to Lola and said, “Don’t you dare give up on your dream.” (The Guardian).
Five years later, Lola made the British Olympic rowing team. In the race, her team fell far behind, but in the last few meters, they pulled even for a photo finish. Lola and her teammates won the race by 15/100’s of a second.
Lola’s father played a key role in encouraging her to keep going. While we all want to see our own dreams fulfilled, how often do we work to see others fulfill their dreams? Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12, “For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you….”
It’s one thing to chase your own dreams, but those who leave a lasting impact are the ones who encourage others not to give up on theirs!
She felt embarrassed and threw away the note. Her dad found it in the trash, retrieved it, and stored it in a safe deposit box.
Fast forward seven years. Her dad was terminally ill with cancer. Two months before dying, he gave the note to Lola and said, “Don’t you dare give up on your dream.” (The Guardian).
Five years later, Lola made the British Olympic rowing team. In the race, her team fell far behind, but in the last few meters, they pulled even for a photo finish. Lola and her teammates won the race by 15/100’s of a second.
Lola’s father played a key role in encouraging her to keep going. While we all want to see our own dreams fulfilled, how often do we work to see others fulfill their dreams? Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12, “For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you….”
It’s one thing to chase your own dreams, but those who leave a lasting impact are the ones who encourage others not to give up on theirs!
Duke Stone
After 40 years in full-time ministry, I try to see how the little things in life speak big things about God. This blog is an attempt to share with you the many ways I see the love of God in the ordinary things of life.
After 40 years in full-time ministry, I try to see how the little things in life speak big things about God. This blog is an attempt to share with you the many ways I see the love of God in the ordinary things of life.
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