While we marvel watching supreme athletes performing on the world stage, the Olympic Games always seamlessly blend in stories of the character-building years before the spotlight shined.  Many times it is in learning the context of the long road travelled that leads us to fully appreciate witnessing the most memorable of triumphs.  The moment when you can take it all in with a tearful smile on the top of the podium, listening to your national anthem, beaming with pride and contentment.  The moment passes all too quickly.

It is that way with parenting as well.  There is always a long road we must travel in raising our children to themselves one day become Olympic caliber parents.

I’ve always thought it one of my top goals to help my children uncover their unique God-given purpose, deciphering clues along the way as to how God has specifically designed and gifted and equipped each of them.  After all, each of us were born to manifest the Glory of God that is within ALL of us.  As we all let our own light shine in this world, we liberate others to do the same.  Just as the Olympic athletes inspire the future stars, Olympic caliber parents model and inspire their very own next generation of world class parents.  When its your turn to watch the grandchildren, you’ll get the same satisfaction and contentment as the athlete receiving their gold medal, beaming with pride as their national anthem plays.  Well done good and faithful parent, well done!