April 2024

In this issue, articles from:

LaMurl Morris, Director of Fine Arts

Richard Ricketts, Director of Athletics

Falling Forward - Building Leaders Through Adversity

LaMurl Morris, Director of Fine Arts

Failure and hardships are a normal part of life. As much as we dislike difficulties, these challenges can be our greatest teachers. James 1:4-5 encourages us to “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” When we humble ourselves from setbacks and mistakes, God refines us as a precious metal is refined in fire. As we mature through hardships, we develop flexibility and tenacity. These character traits enable us to become strong, ethical leaders in our schools, churches and communities.

When our fine arts students experience disappointments and adversities, they develop leadership skills while in a loving and caring school environment. 

The willingness to experiment and fail can result in a high-quality product.

In the band and performing arts classrooms, we encourage our students to take risks with music and acting. We want to play the wrong note, say the wrong line, or dance the wrong step while in the rehearsal room and not on the stage. The time for experimentation is in rehearsal not in performance. Art students learn new techniques and develop skills through trial and error. Sometimes students erase a drawing or repaint a painting. The beautiful clay pot cracks when removed from the kiln. When writing a paper, sometimes we hit the delete button more times than we type sentences. Through the creation and rehearsal process, we develop better techniques that result in a high-quality product if we are willing to experiment and fail.

Working with others can help individuals withstand difficult circumstances. Performing arts and band students learn to work together as a team or a family. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12) Throughout the rehearsal process, students must learn to trust and depend on each other. Students learn to work together efficiently and purposefully through moving equipment, singing and playing instruments together, designing and building sets, and rehearsing for concerts and shows. Students gain insight into their own strengths and weaknesses and of those around them. When each person’s strengths are combined, a powerful unity is formed, and the group can navigate challenges effectively.

Disappointments help us develop a sense of humor. Too often we allow our failures to define us instead of learning a lesson and moving onward. After every production, concert, and trip, we conduct an “after-action” session when we discuss the rehearsal process and the performance. We analyze how we can improve the next trip, upcoming rehearsals and future shows and concerts. When we can find humor in disappointments, we can learn, laugh and look forward to the future.

Adversity builds Christ-like character. Sometimes our challenges are forced upon us—medical situations, job losses, economic hardships, parenting young children and teens, caregiving for aging parents. In the arts, sometimes our plans do not come to fruition. We may be misunderstood. Adjudication may be unfair. A key musician is injured or sick. These situations are out of our control, but we seek the guidance of wise counsel and ask God for wisdom. Proverbs 3:5-6 states “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.^” As we walk through challenging times, we learn to lean on God and the support of others. If we are malleable, God uses these adversities to build Christ-like character within us.

We must remember that our challenges are temporary and that God uses all things for His good. May God be glorified not only in our successes but also in our failures and adversities.

"Being Especially Free of Admirers"

Gaining Strength Through Adversity and Setbacks

Richard Ricketts - Director of Athletics

Samuel Johnson, a famous English author in the 18th century wrote, “Adversity is the state in which man most easily becomes acquainted with himself, being especially free of admirers then.”

Athletics regularly puts athletes and coaches in the position of dealing with adversity or setbacks. How we deal with these challenges not only reveals and develops our character, but it provides an avenue for growth. One of the most quoted Bible verses is Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.” Those who truly trust and follow Jesus have been given the true formula for solving the problem of dealing with adversity.

Adversity comes frequently in athletics. Injuries, intense training, physical and mental mistakes on the court or playing field, unfair officiating, batting slumps, or maybe not being gifted with extraordinary athleticism are just a few examples of adversity. Failure is real and often out of our control. How we deal with and fight through these adversities can be either detrimental or a character-building experience.

Coach John Wooden is quoted as saying, “We must be challenged to improve, and adversity is the challenger.” To grow physically and mentally, we must be challenged and pushed to expand our current limits. Think about expanding your ability to deal with adversity like athletic training. When you lift weights to get stronger or you train to run long distances, you must learn to fight through being uncomfortable or tired. Each time you lift or run, you must train yourself to push a little harder or run a little longer. The measurables don’t manifest into great gains quickly. They take time. Dealing with adversity or setbacks is the same. You don’t get better instantly when facing adversity. It takes multiple times dealing with and fighting through it. Improvement comes from consistent and extended periods of pushing to achieve small, incremental improvements.

Most athletes understand the need to push themselves daily to the point of being uncomfortable physically. Many do not understand that learning to deal with mental and emotional adversity or failure requires the same type of discomfort. More importantly, many parents do not understand the need for their child to learn to “fight through” adversity. Learning to deal with smaller, less threatening adversity as a child leads to becoming an adult that knows how to handle serious, life-changing adversity. Some parents don’t want to allow their children to fail or fight adversity. The result is young adults that do not know how to handle failure or setbacks when they go out on their own.

What did Samuel Johnson mean when he said, “being especially free of admirers”? Some people go through life seeking praise from others while people on the other end of the spectrum go through life trying not to let others down or fail them. “Being free from admirers” means that an individual goes about his or her business not worrying about the praise or criticism of others. This type of person tends to not get too high after success or too low after failure or adversity.

As Christians, we have been given the ultimate guide to dealing with adversity and failure. Scripture is full of texts giving guidance to dealing with adversity. The common theme is knowing that God is in control of all things. We may not understand or enjoy everything that happens to us, but He is using us and our circumstances for His glory. Trusting God and giving Him glory in the good, the tough, and during adversity not only brings Him glory, but it also helps us “be free from admirers”. Trusting God helps us get through adversity and become better able to get through tough times. 2 Timothy 1:7 has been a very important verse to me as I have dealt with adversity through the years. “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." Do not be fearful or run from adversity. Allow God to use it for His glory and your growth.