Pride: a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated. Old English defines pride as excessive self-esteem.
My whole life I was told to have pride. Be proud of where you come from. Be proud of your school. Be proud of your team. Be proud of the name written across your chest. Be proud of what that name represents. Be proud that you can’t scratch off the name.
That name, tattooed on me forever became a label. “Hi, I’m Emma Donahue and I play basketball.” I cannot tell you how many times I have said this exact same sentence, this is who I was. The sentence was so familiar that I would say it no matter what as soon as I was introduced to people. I’m sure most of these people couldn’t have cared less that I played basketball, but I wanted them to know.
Basketball became who I was; you couldn’t have Emma without basketball. Basketball is who I was. I wanted people to ask where I played, what my position was and what it was like. I was consumed by pride.
For 14 years I played basketball. In that time I played on +7 teams, had dozens of teammates that meant the world to me and coaches with a variety of coaching styles. In other words, I had a lot to be proud of. A part of the athletic world is pride, if you don’t think you are good enough to win you never will be. You have to act the part to be it. Pride came naturally to me.
Even now that I am not playing, basketball constantly comes up. People asking if I played because of my height, reminding me that being tall in basketball is a huge advantage, thanks, I never realized. Last year my team, the Drake Bulldogs finished conference play 20-0 then went on the the NCAA tournament! If you thought I was prideful before, last season must have come as a shock. I felt that all I talked about was the school I was working at and my team.
2016-2017 Missouri Valley Conference Champs!! 20-0
1 Peter 3:3-4 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
God doesn’t want me to get my identity from the colors that I wear or the name on my shirt. He doesn’t care about what I have done in my past, the sports I played, the games I won or lost. He sees the ball as gold and the uniforms as fine clothes. He cares about my heart. He cares that I would do anything for the women I played with and for, He cares that I love them.
He wants me to be humble.
Humble: a modest or low view of one’s own importance; humbleness.
Colossians 3:12 Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
To live a life of service to others.
- To wash the dishes without complaint but instead with joy in my heart.
- To think before I speak, so that my words reflect the heart of Christ.
- To practice patience and understanding for others needs.
- To know that all my needs will be met by the Lord.
