Although Olympic athletes who protest their country often get the attention, the U.S. softball team put God first after winning the silver medal. Outfielder Janie Reed said she puts her faith first when coping with the downfalls of playing sports.
Janie Reed
“Going through times of fear or disappointment is not easy, but we can know God will use those times to produce perseverance in us,” she said. “It’s up to us to decide if we are going to use these situations to find joy, knowing God has a lot of fruit to produce in us as a result. I feel so blessed to have such a spiritual powerhouse of women around me, but I need to stay connected to them. They help keep me accountable, and I can do the same.”
Catcher Aubree Munro described herself in her website bio saying, “I’m a believer in Jesus Christ & that through Him all things are possible.” Munro said playing in the Tokyo Olympics was a “gift” from God and she had no regrets.
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“God has used softball to mold me, teach me and ultimately to save me,” she said. “Forever grateful for that gift. And forever grateful for friends that are the kindness of God personified and teammates that have helped me run this race.”
Slugger Kelsey Stewart, whose Instagram bio includes the phrase “Sister In Christ”, hit a walk-off homer to send the United States to the championship game. Of course, losing the gold wasn’t what she had dreamed of, but she posted that she’s still “blessed and highly favored.”
Kelsey Stewart
And pitcher Cat Osterman wrote on Instagram that it was an honor to represent the United States and that the journey was well worth it.
“I’m proud of the fight, passion belief and effort this team put into every single pitch of these Olympic Games,” she said. “I gave my all to this journey. This team. This organization. I’m leaving USA Softball with an ever bigger family.”
Osterman, 38, is considered a veteran in softball but continues to inspire younger players by reminding them that all things are possible with God.
“I’m not ‘young,’ but a reminder to those that are, that your age doesn’t keep you from doing great things for the kingdom of God,” she wrote on Instagram. “You can be a light, an example and a doer regardless your age.”
Reed and Munro are among a group of national team players who started Church on the Dirt. The mission is to combine faith and athletics by sharing God’s Word with coaches, families and athletes when they are unable to attend church.
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice