“You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” (Proverbs
19:21)
Today, I
officially announce the next chapter of my life. In exactly one month, I will
be moving to the beautiful country of France to play basketball. Never would I
have thought that I would be playing professional basketball as a career. Not
because it has always been my dream, but because anyone that knows me knows
that playing basketball professionally was the farthest thing from!
Up to my
senior year of college, I was adamant that I was done with the sport of
basketball upon graduation. People would ask, “What are you going to do when
you graduate? Are you going to continue playing?” My response would be,
“Anything but basketball.” I was not going to play, coach, give motivational
speeches, nothing. I was either going to go to grad school, or go right into
working in the sports industry behind a desk. In my mind basketball had served
its purpose in my life. It had provided me with a free education at an amazing
University, and I was done with it.
People
would say I was crazy. They would comment, “What do you mean you don’t want to
play anymore? You are so good, and you have such amazing talent. Why are you
wasting it?” My reply would simply be that basketball has fulfilled its job for
my life. I got my degree, and now its time to hang up the Nikes. However, God
had other plans and I might have been done with basketball, but it wasn’t done
with me just yet.
As I got
deep into my senior year, I began to worry about my future. I began to think, “What
are you going to do? You need to find a graduate school or a job ASAP.” All of
my friends around me had begun to either get accepted into grad schools or get
offers for jobs, and I felt behind. I began to talk to different people for
advice, and everyone kept suggesting that I consider basketball one more time. After about the 10th person, I finally gave in and opened that door
back up. I decided to consider basketball as another option, but it would have
stipulations. I would say, “The ONLY way I am playing professionally is if I
get offered to play in either France, Italy, or a Spanish-speaking country.
That was it. No exceptions.” And I meant it.
So time
passed and I continued to worry and get anxious. I had gotten no job offers,
and grad school was not looking to hot. One day I was fed up with stressing
about my future, and decided to let go, and let God. I decided to stop trying
to figure out my future and let Jesus finally take the wheel. People would ask
what were my plans after school, and I would shrug my shoulders and say
wherever God takes me. I’m done worrying, and I am going to finally live in the
moment and enjoy the rest of my senior year. God takes care of his children, so
I believe He will take care of me.
Long story
shortened, when I decided to finally let God take control of my life and stop
trying to run it myself, I began to have revelations. I began to realize that
one of God’s plans for my life was that He wanted me to continue playing
basketball. He was not about to let me get a 9 to 5 just yet. He was not about
to let me waste the talents/gift He generously gave me.
I did not realize my gift
until recently. Many people don’t know this but I started playing basketball in
9th grade. I was not one of those kids who had been playing since
they were 8 and grew up just wanting to play. I started very late. Yet somehow
I was able to “master” (for lack of a better word) the game quickly, get
offered a scholarship to a Top 25 NCAA Division 1 school within 3 years of
starting the sport, get numerous basketball awards and accolades while in
college, become amongst the few to get invited to a WNBA training camp, and do
all this without ever encountering a single injury. I am truly blessed!
After looking back at all of this,
I finally realized I have a unique story. My story is almost impossible for
anyone else to duplicate. Everyone can’t say they accomplished all I have, in
such a short time, and be injury free through it all. This could only be God on
my side. I fought basketball so much, with all my strength, but God would not
let me win. He had a greater purpose for it and for me. He wanted me to finally realize
that His spiritual gift to me is my athleticism and the ability to play, and He
was not about to let me waste it or throw it away. I finally realized that He
had plans for my talents that I could not see yet. I needed to just trust Him.
So here I am. With a month to go, I am packing my bags and heading to France to
play basketball! The one thing I said I was not doing. And to top it all off, I
am going to one of the three places I said I would only go if I decided to
play! You see how He works!
I do not
know what is in store for me, and I do not fully know God’s purpose. But what I
do know is that THIS is apart of His purpose for My Life. I might have had my
own plans, but God’s purpose will ALWAYS prevail above anything or any plans
you “think” you about to do. I am a prime example. So with God on my side, I am
taking my talents to France, and will use His gift to glorify Him and make
Jesus famous.
A new
season is underway; a new game is about to begin. Feel free to join me on this
new team. You got courtside seats.
Peace and
Grace,
T.C.
P.s. I
promise my future posts wont be this long. J
