Josh Hamilton

Today, I went to church to hear Josh Hamilton and his wife speak. For those of you who are unfamiliar with him, he is from Raleigh and went to Athens Drive High School. He was a first draft pick straight out of high school. Once he got his 3.96 million signing bonus, he turned to drugs. He didn't want to deal with all of his emotions. But, he was not the only one suffering because of his addiction. His wife, Katie, has stayed by his side through everything. She had to put a restraining order on him, so their children wouldn't see him the way he was. She had to move money around on a monthly basis, so he couldn't by more drugs. She went and met a drug dealer in a dark parking lot while she was pregnant, to get her wedding ring back he sold for drugs. Then, one day, he decided he needed to change. He turned his life over to God and is now, living his true dream with Katie and his kids still by his side. His story, as well as hers, is amazing and while I was sitting there listening, I found myself holding back my own tears.

God throws us all kinds of pitches.. good ones, bad ones, ones that are going to nail us right in the head, etc... but we've got to learn to take them as they come. We all have our days where we find ourselves wanting to give up and walk away because it sounds easier than what we're going through, but we can't. Trust me, becoming a Mom at 17 was not easy. I could have walked away and left all this behind, but look where I am now.. I see Jalen smile everyday and need me. I see him laugh until he can't laugh anymore. I have my whole family by my side and all of Nicholas' family. I have a loving boyfriend who supports me in all I do. I have so much going for me and how I could think at one time I was going to walk away? But, all of that took work, and we can't be scared to work for what we want. God does great things and things happen for a reason, despite what we think when those things happen. So, appreciate the good times and the bad, even when you don't want to. God hasn't failed me, yet.

We all make mistakes, but it is about how you learn from your mistakes and how you forgive others for their mistakes.

He has a book out and I started reading it tonight.. It is really good and a true encouragement!