A Different Story

“Your hip is worse than we thought. You’re never going to step back on the soccer field again.” The words echoed through the air. All the air in my lungs left my body as if I got sucker punched in the stomach. I could not breath. My hands and feet were trembling. Tears were building up in my eyes and there was a lump in my throat. I was on the verge of losing it in that office.   

Devastated. Heartbroken. Angry. There are not even words to describe the intense feelings I was experiencing. I did not know how to process it all. I was set on the fact that I was going to play professionally one day. I just could not see past that. I was so angry. I was frustrated. I was beyond pissed. How could someone dream something so big and then everything that could go wrong…goes wrong?

Fast forwarded a couple years to a few weeks ago and out of nowhere I was approached by a man who told me that he was working on launching a professional women’s arena soccer league. I was blown away that he even wanted to have a conversation with me. During our first meeting he explained that he wanted to launch the women’s division and that he could use my help. I felt as if I was in a movie. Everything just seemed so surreal.

Devon and his company, JosVon, offered me a job with the Premier Arena Soccer League (PASL) as one of their Senior Advisors. My lifelong dream of being a role model, helping shape and give more opportunities to younger girls in the soccer world has finally come true. It is definitely not in the way that I originally wanted or dreamed of; but, God knew what I needed and he had a plan the entire time.

A few years ago when I got the news that I was going to have to have a massive hip surgery. I was devastated and I didn’t know why it was happening.  I was so confused on why it was happening to me and I didn’t know why God would allow something like this to happen. I was mad, I was angry and I was upset. Still to this day, I struggle with the reality of not playing at the highest level.  However, I am slowly starting to understand and see God’s plan for my life and why things have gone the way they have. Even though I feel so heartbroken and destroyed, I also have so many feelings of gratefulness, joy, and empowerment. I could not be more ready for this next chapter of my life and to see how the culture of women’s soccer is going to change.

My word of encouragement to you comes from Jeremiah 29 verse 11.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.“

God has a plan. He always has and always will.