Earlier this year our family began our 12th season of ICC tournaments. It was not without challenges, of course. The night before we left for the tournament, my husband and I escaped the tense atmosphere of the house to run to Staples for informative-board supplies. After that, our duo team reluctantly rehearsed in front of me, their parent coach. They didn't seem impressed by the fact that I actually coach coaches to coach. Like, I wrote an Academy course. Not the least bit impressed. At departure time, in the wee early-morning hours, we had a meltdown when the required thumb drive disappeared right as we needed to head out the door.
Transformation doesn't happen without tears. It doesn't happen in a year. It doesn't happen at a discounted rate.
There is no free and easy ride to growth and change. Yes, Yes, Yes, Jesus saves. That isn't what I am talking about. Lord have mercy on us.
So often we hear a student say, "My mom made me do it." How many times do we ask ourselves, why AM I making them do it-since it isn't exactly fun to deal with resistance!!
I know personally what it takes to attend a chapter, run a chapter, coach presentations, find platforms, take online courses-in short, to grow yourself so you can lead others well. Beginning is always fun (think of how these darlings came to be), but the muddy middle requires more than mere interest. It requires commitment.
It takes a committed year of full engagement....again and again, one more time.
And now it's time to think about your commitment to empowering your next-generation Christian to influence today's culture.
On Sunday we shared with you new resources and packages in 2018 that to allow you to make that serious commitment. We have heard from you that several payments over the year make it possible to participate. We've worked hard to make that a reality for our 2018 renewals. Our commitment has always been to offer empowering experiences that deliver far more value than investment.
A little over a year ago, my husband and I forcibly hospitalized a daughter for an eating disorder. She was wasting to death. She was crippled by her anxieties and struggles despite our desperate attempts to find help. She was done with ICC and insisted on what a waste it had been for her. Over the year, I quietly focused on recovery and encouragement, all the while knowing and hoping that she would come to understand the value of the ICC community and its equipping for her future.
At this past tournament, imagine my joy as this daughter gave an advocacy speech on eating disorders. She received some feedback saying that, as a Round Table team member, their team's discussion was productive largely because of her contributions and guidance. She'll be inducted into the Young Speaker Guild, because she wants to, which fills me with deep awe and gratitude.
The transformation is in the trouble. The transformation is in the toil. The transformation is in the tears.
I'd love to walk with you through it all. Mary