Run Lolo Run!

It’s Summer Olympics time! My faves are chosen and Lolo Jones is at the top of my list. Can’t get enough of her intriguing story. Lolo shared in a recent interview, “When I was a little girl I remember being homeless and living in the basement of a church. This was only for a season in my life but I remember my brothers and I would wake up early and get dressed so the kids coming to the church camp (Salvation Army) wouldn’t know we were living there. “

Lolo didn’t grow up in a privileged home where her family had the resources to hire a personal coach to groom her for the Olympics. She realized in elementary school she could run faster than all the other kids at recess. This gift earned her high school track star status and an illustrious college career at LSU. She graduated with a degree in Economics, but yielded the corporate American dream for the Olympic American dream.

Most recently she’s gotten press for her open proclamation of refraining from sex until she’s married. I’m so proud of her for this, but also curious. Was this conviction modeled for her? Is she following in her parents’ footsteps? My internet research revealed (through Lolo’s own words) that her parents lived together for twenty years but were never married. Eventually they went their separate ways.

Forget about the Olympics for a minute.  Think about this. Where does a little girl from Iowa, who grew up near poverty level, find the power to change the trajectory of her life? And the mindset to do life differently than her parents?  Lolo is very vocal about her relationship with the Lord. She’s changed her legacy through the power of our Heavenly Father and His power is not exclusive to Lolo. Once you invite Jesus into your heart, you become a beneficiary to the same power.

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, and love, and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Lolo, we’re on our feet cheering you to a Gold medal. No matter what happens in London you’re a role model girls young and old yearn to be.

Learn more about Lolo Jones’ journey.  http://www.runlolorun.com    or follow her on Twitter @lolojones.

Encouragement: ”Forget the past. See I’m doing a new thing.” God

Know I’m praying for you…Sherry

What other Olympic athlete inspires you? Tell us who and why.