How a coach inspired his athletes to let it go

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This is a simple story with a big impact. Great character lesson from a coach to his cross country team.Yesterday I stumbled across beauty.

It wasn’t a rainbow or a sunset. It was a highschool cross-country team, sweaty after a long run.

They were gathered on the field, hours after the rest of the school had gone home.

I saw red balloons and a sharpie. Something was happening, I just didn’t know what. I watched from afar as the coach spoke.

They broke into small groups and were writing on the balloons. They were focused and serious. What were they writing?

Then their arms huddled around each other and they started praying. Great story about the way a high school coach inspired his team to stop believing what they couldn't do. |the House of Hendrix

I had to catch my breath. It was a beautiful vision to see middle and high school students in such a humble state. I was thankful my daughter was part of this team. Great story about how a coach inspires his cross country team to stop believing the lies of what they can't do. |the Hosue of Hendrix

I stepped closer to read the writing on the balloons.

I’m not good enough.

I’m too big to run.

I am a disappointment to my teammates

How a cross country coach inspired his athletes to stop believing the lies of what they couldn't do.

Emotion shot through me. These written words were the lies they quietly believed.

They stayed in huddled prayer as they took turns surrendering these lies. Amazing story about how a high school cross country coach inspired his runners to stop believing the lies about what they couldn't do.

Then the red balloons were symbolically released into the sky.Surrender the Lies The kids watched quietly. I stood mute.

Great story about the way a coach inspired his cross country team to stop believing the lies of what they can't do. |the House of Hendrix

The next morning, they ran their meet with the confidence that their worth was not determined by a time on a clock, nor their identity defined by a race.  They simply ran with joy and let the lies go.

And 22 of them had a breakthrough performance.

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16 thoughts on “How a coach inspired his athletes to let it go

  1. I ran cross country as a teenager and would have loved to do this exercise before a race. There is so much going on in your head as you run your three mile race and to be able to let it all go before the race is an amazing thing. Bravo!

  2. Alli, you have captured that moment so well. I could not be there and I am so happy to ready about it on your blog. Thank you Jesus for bringing us a coach who loves you and shares you with our children. Thank you, Alli for your post

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