02/08/2015
This morning I will share the story behind "The Wrestler's Prayer". My son Shane began wrestling as a young boy. I had never been a sports person and the first year he was in wrestling I didn't like it at all. By his second year in this sport I began to enjoy it some. However, there were things I didn't like.
Some of those things were how a wrestler would sometimes act if he lost, or the way a coach or parent would berate them for losing. This really "bugged" me! Then came the day we were at a tournament and I came across a father berating a wrestler of about 10 years of age. The man was shouting at his son in the middle of the hallway and people were just passing on by. The boy had tears streaming down his face. I wanted to do something but I knew if I interfered the boy might catch it worse at home, gut feeling. So, I glared at the man and gave the son a understanding look.
I went back to the stands really grieved. I looked at all the people on both sides. I told the Lord, if you give me a poem to write to show another way, then I will try to get it out there to them. I didn't know much about wrestling terms and what they meant. I also knew if God gave me a poem to write about it that I would have to keep my end of the deal. I had been in front of much smaller crowds sharing my other inspirational writings, but nothing like the size of a wrestling crowd. I would need lots of courage from the Lord.
That following week the Lord answered my prayer with "The Wrestler's Prayer", and I wrote the words he gave me to share. Next came getting it to the crowds. I knew nothing on how to do that so once again I asked God for help in knowing just who to approach. Our next event was at Ellsworth and when we got there I walked the halls just looking for the right person, waiting for the nudge from God to know. He led me right to the man and I told the man my mission and what I had. He read it, and said "Lady, your up", and sent me out on the floor to stand with the announcer. I was so scared! However, I had a job to do, and do it I would. It was not easy, the first few years of reading the poem at tournaments was sometimes nerve wracking, but I was determined. Soon, it began to be asked for, and continues to inspire today. It has been and is a blessing to have written "The Wrestler's Prayer". I will share some heartwarming stories of people and the prayer at a later date.
