Your Dream is Not Dead
"It’s a torn ACL," I whispered into the phone, choking back a sob. Dreaded words for any athlete (or parent of an athlete) to hear. When we got the news of our daughter's injury, looking back at the years of time invested, money spent, and sacrifices made toward her basketball career, it felt like a sucker punch. Yes, worse things in life can happen, but in our little world, this news was devastating. "Is that it?" I thought. "Is her dream over?"
November 2014
“It’s a torn ACL,” I whispered into the phone, choking back a sob. Dreaded words for any athlete (or parent of an athlete) to hear.
It was the summer before our daughter’s senior year in high school. Her team had gone to the Minnesota State High School basketball tournament the last five years in a row. She played on Junior Varsity and was backing up upperclassmen who were future Division I and II scholarship athletes. She knew as she was on this journey when her real chance to play Varsity—and get to play in and win a state tournament—would be her senior year.
But now that dream seemed dead. And all the years of work toward her goal wasted.
A torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), called by some the nastiest injury in sports, is the over-stretching or complete tear of the ligament that stabilizes the knee. Typical recovery is eight months. With such an injury the summer before her senior year, her chances of playing Varsity ball did not look good. After learning her injury was a torn ACL we knew she had a painful surgery and months of rehab ahead of her. And little chance to fulfill the dream she (and we, her parents) had.
AN ALL-IN COMMITMENT
For those not familiar with the world of competitive high school sports, to reach the caliber of a state tournament team takes years of work and sacrifice by athletes and families. Fans observe the players from their seats and think, “Wow, they’re good,” but most fans don’t realize athletes spend thousands of hours in gyms from a very young age to develop the skills needed to compete at the highest level.
From fourth or fifth grade our daughter played winter traveling basketball, which involved practices several times a week plus weekend tournaments every other weekend from fall through spring. Then to further hone her skills, she played AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) ball from March through July. These teams also practice several nights a week with tournaments in distant cities.
Of course, none of this is free. The cost to play on the teams, admission fees to watch the games, and travel expenses for the tournaments easily amounts to thousands of dollars. Every year. Not to mention the sacrifice she (and we) made concerning family time, holidays, vacations, and time with friends, etc.
By now some of you are probably thinking, “And why would you do that year after year?” Because it is the price you have to pay as an athlete for a chance to play on a top level team.
The opportunity for our daughter to experience that level was a dream that seemed worth pursuing. Not to mention the additional benefits she would receive from participating in a sport, like learning to set and achieve goals, learning how to work as a team, learning how to win (and lose) graciously, physical fitness and discipline. All great life lessons we wanted her to learn.
So when we got the news of her injury, looking back at the years of time and money spent and sacrifices made, it felt like a sucker punch.
THAT DREADFUL DAY
This past summer our daughter chose to play in a rugby game (against our advice)—a new sport she wanted to try. While playing, she felt a “pop” in her knee, and the doctor later confirmed the ACL tear. We were all stunned. I made the phone call to my husband. We all cried. Often.
Yes, worse things in life can happen. But in our little world, this news was devastating.
Our daughter got through her surgery by the middle of August. When it came time to change her dressings the first time, I put on my poker face so she wouldn’t see my horror at the angry metal staples piercing her flesh, holding her gaping wounds together. I still cringe at the memory.
Of course, we questioned God. God, it seems so unfair! Why did this have to happen? Then the coulda, woulda, shoulda’s started. If she had just listened to us and not gone to that rugby game. If we had just been more firm. If she just hadn’t been at two practices that day, she might not have been so fatigued and maybe it wouldn’t have happened.
We all had questions without any good answers. Needless to say, she struggled with similar questions and self-condemnation.
DO YOU BELIEVE?
I eventually got to the place beyond the emotions where I could hear from God. I kept wondering how our would story end. Were all the years of effort for nothing? This wasn’t how any of us had it scripted.
One day as I was praying I heard Him whisper to my heart, “Your dream is not dead. I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26) I felt He was telling me I had to put my complete trust in Him to work in the situation. At that point I chose to give this care over to God and fully entrust my daughter to Him.
Our story is not over. As of now, our daughter is still rehabbing her knee. She has had lots of therapy, again giving up things she might prefer to do so she can get strong and healthy again. God has certainly been there, encouraging all of us, every step of the way.
Recently, we were excited to hear that our daughter’s doctor had cleared her to start practicing December 1 and to start playing January 1. This timeframe is dramatically shorter than the eight months we had been told! Plus, if she returns to the court in January, the basketball season will still have plenty of time left for her to achieve her dream of playing in the State Tournament.
THE CHOICE IS HERS
However, even though we’ve come this far, it is now our daughter’s choice whether or not she continues to pursue her basketball career. If she chooses not to, it is not because she is physically unable to play. There is a big difference between being able to play and deciding not to, versus wanting to play but not being physically able to perform.
At least our daughter has the choice now, and my husband and I will respect whatever decision she makes.
As our journey unfolds, I remind my daughter (and myself) to keep trusting in God and His faithfulness. This has been an experience no parent (or child) wants to go through. Our faith has been stretched and we continue to trust in God to work out everything according to His will and purpose. But no matter what lies ahead, I continue to remind myself of His promise…”Your dream is not dead.”
THANK YOU
Fifteen years ago, a handful of individuals had a different kind of dream—to collect and consolidate the article, audio, and video teachings from hundreds of pastors and ministers—and make those powerful resources available to the worldwide faith family.
It wasn't an easy undertaking, and there were several times when we questioned whether our dream of launching the online ministry of cfaith would be realized. But thanks to God's faithfulness and your support, it happened! And now, 14 years later, cfaith continues to bless and minister God's Word to individuals all around the world.
THANK YOU for standing with us and for supporting this ongoing ministry outreach effort.
Always remember, your dream is not dead!
Martha Hultgren cfaith staff
Martha Hultgren is a wife, mom, traveler, writer, editor, and, most importantly, a follower of Jesus Christ. Martha worked as a content editor for cfaith.com.
Martha has three children and lives with her husband Rick and cat Diamond in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
