From www.taylor.edu - Taylor University, integrating faith and learning
Destination: Iowa

Immeasurably More

Published: Thu, 03.12.2009

Today was frustrating to say the least.  Anyone who has ever seen us play can agree that our performance was not what we planned on or expected of ourselves.  What is even more disappointing is the fact that we beat ourselves.  We struggled to pull it all together and come out on top. 

Paige RudolphThoughts of sadness and utter disbelief overtook me as I sat in the locker room to hear Coach's concluding remarks on our season.  And then, the inevitable happens - we pray.  I thought I would hate this moment.  I was so frustrated because God gave us such a great opportunity and we just screwed up.  But it was in this moment where clarity began to creep into my mind.  As we all stood there, holding hands, with tears running down our faces, I began to experience a peace that transcends all understanding. 

You see, our team verse this year is from Ephesians chapter 3 and talks about God doing "immeasurably more" than all we could ask for or imagine.  It was our goal to believe this throughout the year, and we did, and God honored our faith.  With such a young team, who experienced multiple setbacks throughout the year that could have caused us to crumble, we did SO much more than any of us expected. 

NAIA Nationals - First Round Free ThrowNo, we did not perform how we wanted to today, on a day where you cannot play below your best, but we cannot take away from God the amazing blessings and favor that He has shown us throughout this year.  It just wouldn't be right.  And as the days pass and I begin to really understand what it means for my career to be over, I know that God will show me enough grace to sustain me and to help me to appreciate more and more every day what an amazing career I've had here at Taylor - not because of personal achievements, but because of His ability to take something I love and to use it for His glory, and as a tool for me to better understand and know Him.  Because of this I have no regrets.  This team has no regrets.  Nikki and I could not have asked for a better group of girls, or a more dedicated coaching staff, to end our careers with.  We also could not have asked for more support from the Taylor students, fans, and administration.  What a blessing to be supported by such an amazing university.  Thank you all SO much.

On a lighter note - we ate at Red Robin and I had an AMAZING banana milk shake, Julie - the hall director from English sent us a SWEET care package :) , Tasha played some sweet pranks with a whoopee cushion (until it exploded), and we get to sleep in tomorrow.  Love you all and good night.