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If You Had One Day to Live Over

Posted by Jim_Daly on Jan 27, 2012 9:00:21 AM

The late UCLA basketball legend John Wooden enjoyed incredible success as a coach.wooden2.jpg He won ten championships in a twelve-year period and finished his career with an astonishing record of 664-162. A man of strong Christian conviction, Coach Wooden received his eternal promotion in 2010 at the age of 99.

 

He once wrote something that strikes me as a fitting lesson for parents as well as players and coaches.

 

Can you relate?

 

If I could go back and pick one single day in my life - in sports - to live over again, my choice might surprise you.

 

Here's the day I would pick...joyjourney.jpg

 

I would conduct one more day of practice in the gym. For each day of practice was, by far, the most fulfilling, exciting, and memorable thing I did as a coach - teaching those under my supervision how to achieve success as members of a team. "The journey is better than the inn..." for me. Cervantes had it right. My joy was in the journey.

 

How about for you?

 

Is the source of your own happiness - joy?

 

Is it in your journey or only in the prize, the inn?

 

- John Wooden

 

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Comments (7)
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Jan 27, 2012 5:36 PM Guest Lauren  says:
If I had one day to live over, I would not have had an abortion.  Even though God has forgiven me, I must live with the consequences of that decision for the rest of my life.  Through the years I have often thought of my baby and what he or she would be like.  Never has a decision I made had such a profound impact on my life as that tragic day.  
Jan 28, 2012 7:35 AM Guest Brenda  says in response to Lauren:
Very thought provoking...he all look back and can see the turning point moments.  Some are amazing wonderful that we wish to relive. For Coach Wooden, his time in practice.  For Lauren, it's a single decision that she wishes she could go back to and undue, erase...We neither can relieve or undo, we must accept.  In light of his grace and love, we find a healing peace that cancels out all darkness and joyfully we continue towards the end of our journey.  Cervantes was partially right but for us christians, the inn is where we want to be!    
Jan 28, 2012 12:45 PM Guest Kevin K  says:
This is why I love Focus on the Family. You'll find inspiration and information that you really can't find anywhere else. It's awesome!
Jan 29, 2012 2:22 PM Guest JustRae  says in response to Lauren:
I would relive the day my son was born, and not change a thing.
Jan 31, 2012 12:36 PM Guest Wendi  says in response to Lauren:
Bless your heart! I feel your pain! I hid it and buried the pain for 30 years, and finally have dug it up and have been dealing with it, what a weight off my shoulders. A big part in my healing was reconnecting with the Father of my baby, and asking him for forgiveness. We are now dating again and working on a future together, which will hopefully involve having grandkids to share together. Oh the things I can share with young girls considering an abortion! Not a day goes by without shedding tears for that decision I made so many years ago. Through Jesus all things are forgiven, and he makes whole those who are broken!
Jan 31, 2012 3:23 PM Guest Robin M  says:
The one day I would live all over again would be the day I went to Flatrock River Lodge where my mother lived and take her out on the grounds again and tell her everything I had in my heart to tell her. I would ask her to forgive me for being such a hard child to raise and to tell her that I loved her with all my heart and thank her for teaching me about Jesus and to take her in my arms and just hold her for the longest time. Then I would stay till it was time for her to go to bed and tuck her in like she used to do me and kiss her goodnight. See if I had know that in a week she would pass away and the following days after this one where she was with us she didn't know who we were and that in just a week she would be gone. Yes, that is the day I would like to live over and do different for you never know what the next day holds. Sure do miss her a lot and my life hasn't been the same but she knows all that I want her to know and more. Cherish every day like it is your last for you don't know what tomorrow holds.
Feb 1, 2012 7:40 PM Guest Laurie  says:

I would pick the day that I did not listen to my sister's pleading to postpone my wedding to an unchristian man.  I wish I listened to her.  Might have avoided all the struggles I had for years.  Felt like God was punishing me for disobeying Him.  Sure, my husband accepted God years later but I wonder how true he is about it.

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