I’m honestly not trying to write about all people that I know, but God is opening some incredible doors and I’m just so thankful for the community that I have in Tuscaloosa. Now with this blog, I almost hesitate in writing it because I don’t think I can express in words how thankful I am for these two and the impact they’ve had on my life and for the doors they continue to open. For those of you that don’t know, Sarah and David Patterson have been the head coaches of the University of Alabama gymnastics team for over 30 years now. It’s hard for anything down south to eclipse the legacy of Alabama football and Bear Bryant, but what they are doing in the gymnastics world is just as incredible.
A little bit of history for you, when I was injured playing football in college, I had to return home and figure out how to pay for school. Just a couple of months after being home, Sarah called me into her office and took a huge chance on me and gave me the opportunity that can only be described as an answer to prayer. She offered me a chance to be a manager for the team and apologized for not being able to pay me. That statement was quickly followed with, “But we’ll pay for your school.” I only had two job descriptions; be available and don’t date any of the gymnasts. Done and done. So where do I sign?
Over the next three years, I slowly worked into a comfort zone next to Olympians, National Champions, and a team of coaches with an incredible legacy. I never thought I would fit in with a group like this, but it wasn’t long before Sarah and David welcomed me in as family and if they trusted me, then the girls trusted me. So I worked for them and had the best job any college student could ask for and it’s one of the reasons I can take off onto the mission field with no money and owning next to nothing because I also owe nothing. That’s in HUGE part because of Sarah and David’s risk they took on a boy that knew nothing about gymnastics.
Even though my time with the team is done, Sarah and David have still been so supportive of my work and the ministry God is opening up for me. With all that said, I went to visit practice the other day and meet the new girls and just catch up with some people I’ve been missing. Even though practice was still going on, every now and then David or Sarah would walk over to me to just ask random questions and see how I was doing (I didn’t get to watch many practices when I was with the team…). At the end of practice, they gave me a great honor that I don’t know if they understand how much it meant to me.
While I know where Sarah and David stand in their beliefs, the University of Alabama is still a state school and there are certain things to be careful with. However, even when I was around, this coaching staff would do a great job of bringing in a variety of friends and speakers to share with the girls and remind them what’s in front of them isn’t the only thing going on in the world. When I was with the team, I would always watch these people come in that were former gymnasts or professional speakers and listen as they shared with the girls. This week, I was able to take my turn and share. I didn’t have to hold anything back, so I just told the girls straight up what I do and what’s important to me. It was such a blessing to have a few minutes of their time.
One thing God has blessed me with is a platform to share my stories. It’s times like these where fundraising and planning take a back seat and it becomes all about storytelling and eye opening. I can’t thank Sarah and David enough for this chance. I hope it also shows what their direct investment of three years (and counting) in my life is beginning to amount to. I don’t think people understand that I wouldn’t be able to operate without support from someone outside of myself. These two have provided so much for me and they are just as critical to every story that I tell.
Spoiler Alert… There are a couple of people from this program that have done so much to shape me, that I will more than likely post at least one more blog from this staff. Just saying…
