Rain Makes For Long Weekend

For the men and women of the HLGU Cross Country team the trip to Joplin for the 2011 Southern Stampede was going to be more then just a race. It was about serving a community that had been destroyed by a devastating tornado. The idea was to race on Saturday morning and then head out and do some tornado cleanup. However the Lord had other plans. There are lots of times that I wish I could control things like the weather, especially when people want to do good and serve, this was one of those times.

The rain we had in Joplin on Saturday



We arrived at the course at just after 7:30 am with the clouds building to the west we knew it was going to rain we just did not know how much. Shortly after the Lady Trojans warmed up and headed to the line for the start of the women's collegiate race lightening struck and we were in our first delay. Quickly we rushed to the Legget and Platt Center where we would hopefully wait out the storm. Four hours later we were hopeful as they announced that the women's race would start at noon. So the lady Trojans got back on the indoor track and warmed up. Just before we were to head to the line and go out into the rain, another lightening strike and another delay.  This one would only last about an hour, as it was announced that Missouri Southern State had cancelled the meet due to the weather.



Waiting for our Race in Legget and Platt Center



As it was clearly obvious that we would not be able to serve outside, we got the word that not only would we not be running this weekend, but we would also not be serving. As a coach I was OK that we weren't running; I mean who wants to run in a downpour. But I was very disappointed that we did not get to serve. I thought the Lord was supposed to bless us when we serve and help others? Maybe that is the lesson here that we aren't blessed when we serve, but that there is an active enemy trying to prevent us from serving, and loving others to spread the Gospel. After a nice bus ride back and after thinking about it I realized that I cannot control the weather. I know that the Lord has plans for this team and I believe everything happens for a reason. We as a team wanted to serve the people of Joplin and we will have our chance to do that it just wasn't this weekend.