Never Give Up

Last season, my daughter had a basketball coach who made things incredibly difficult. 

Not because of her performance—but because of something that happened the season before… with me. The coach, unfortunately, chose to carry that offense and allowed bitterness to influence how she treated my daughter.

Though my daughter was one of the top players on the team, her playing time vanished. Game after game, she’d get in the car defeated, confused, and on the verge of giving up. And to be honest, so was I.

But in those tough car rides home, we had powerful conversations—ones about integrity, perseverance, and what it really means to play for an audience of One. I reminded her that her job wasn’t just to put points on the board; it was to honor God, no matter what the scoreboard said.

We prayed together for her coach—yes, prayed blessings over someone who hurt her. And no, there wasn’t a happy Hollywood ending. The situation didn’t magically fix itself.

But something greater happened.

Her character was forged. Her faith deepened. And I watched her grow—not just as a player, but as a young woman chasing after Christ.

These are the moments that remind me: our greatest growth rarely comes through easy wins. It’s often in the fire—when we don’t quit—that we become who God made us to be.

So whatever you’re facing today, don’t give up. The scoreboard may not reflect it yet, but God is shaping something eternal in you.