SPECIALIST

Are you sick and tired of hearing about the Olympics yet?  I am spending lots of hours watching all the events and that spills over to writing about my impressions.  Stay with me--this too shall pass.

As I watched the men's gymnastics meet, I became better acquainted with Stephen Nedoroscik --the pommel horse specialist and self proclaimed nerd.  As a side note, when any of my grands have anything to say about nerds, I remind them someday they will be calling those nerds Boss.  Of my seven grandchildren, I have two self proclaimed nerds of my own.  Proud of them all, but those nerds are a breed unto themselves.  

The US team used the strategy of taking on a specialist who only competes in one event as a strategy to get back to the podium.  It worked--they took home a bronze team medal.  As I watched the teams compete my observation was that Stephen was indeed a master on this apparatus, but he also was a team player who cheered on all of his teammates.  He was as happy with their performance as he was his own.  He "gets it"---it's a team event.  One for all and all for one.  It has been a great joy to watch these athletes compete---do their best---and always walk away good sports.  Proud of USA Men's Gymnastics!

Steven was a vital part of a team, he contribution---was in the event he dedicated his training to early in his career.  When he discovered this was where he shined--he dedicated his training to being the best in this one event only.  He took his natural skill and made the very best of it.

The Word addresses this very nicely by comparing us to parts of a body beautifully~

"For the body does not consist of one member but of many.  If the foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body.'  And if the ear should say, 'Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,' If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing?  If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?  But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of the, as He chose.  If all were a single member, where would the body be?  As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.' "  I Corinthians 12:14-20

There is more--and if you are not familiar, I encourage you to read this chapter of the Bible.  In a nutshell---we all have been given certain gifts---to each his own.  When we join together and use our gifts as one---it is a beautiful example of a team.  OH--that we all could be content with what we have been given and use if for God's good purposes as He wills.