Team Charlie

We're on our way down to Washington D.C. today.

My pom-poms and cheerleading voice are ready.
My prayers have been prayed.
My excitement, building.

It's time to fly, dear son.

Six weeks have flown by, and Charlie has impressed me, once again.  Forget for a minute all the knowledge he's had to retain.  The kid took 6 different sources and compiled information from each, into a notebook arranged alphabetically by nation.  In total, he put 150 nations in his notebook.  Can you name 150 of ANYTHING?  Day by day he's poured over the book, studying everything he's written down.  Combined with a nightly watching of "Jeopardy", he now believes he's sufficiently prepared.

It could be so easy to get wrapped up in the worldly trappings that accompany an event like this; success, pride, entitlement and money.  From these eyes, thankfully, there is an entirely different perspective.  This bee isn't really about the Bee.  It rarely is.

 You wonder, what is it about then?

Growing spiritually.  We have not because we ask not.  I'm not going to lie, I'd love to see my son win. It'd be a delightful moment for me as a mom.  But that's not at all what I've prayed for him the last six weeks.  God hasn't called me to pray for that.  He HAS called me to pray for his humility, ease in recall of all the facts he's learned, and that He would be glorified throughout.  Even better, is asking Charlie  what he wants prayed.  His answer?  That the other contestants wouldn't be proud.  He saw some aspects of character in the state competition that disgusted him, and it made an impression.  We've had some tough conversations about what to expect from this event.  Not all of it is pretty.  Charlie knows he's called to act and speak differently as a representative of his Creator, and this family.  Certainly it won't be easy for him, given that the level of competition will be high.  His ability to pray won't be hindered at any moment; he knows from experience that our God is present and able to help in times of need.

Charlie himself has been praying that he does his best.  I think that's all we can ask.  No goals are set this time.  Just the plan of going in and enjoying oneself.  I'd liken it to running a marathon.  Weeks of time and effort spent preparing, and you eventually make it to the starting line.  The race is the easy part; the training is all behind you.  Enjoy the scenery, soak up the crowds, and finish strong knowing you've put in the effort it takes to complete such a race.  Charlie is about to learn that the outcome is really a small part of what's going to take place this week.  God is going to use him in ways he can't expect.  God is going to grow him in places he needs it.  God is going to answer prayer.

The hardest part will be the waiting.

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.."  Eph 3:20


Go Lord!