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Brent Williams Sports have always been a big part of my life, and becoming a National Football League player was the realization of a childhood dream and a lot of hard work. At Northern High School in Flint, Mich., I was an all-city and all-conference athlete and graduated with honors in 1982. Then I went to the University of Toledo where I was a two-time first team All Mid-America performer. In 1985 I was also the team captain, but more importantly I graduated with a degree in marketing. The following year, the New England Patriots selected me in the seventh round of the NFL draft (193rd pick overall). Once I became a professional player, I was determined to improve my skills to the point where I could be one of the best defensive linemen in the game. I enjoyed a successful first year as I received First Team All-Rookie honors. Then from 1988 to 1990 I led the Patriots in sacks. To sports fans, all these achievements may seem impressive, but to me they're nothing compared to the things my mother accomplished. You see, I grew up in a single-parent home as an only child. My mother was also my father, my brother and my sister, too. She was my best friend, and she loved me even during my elementary school years when I thought I was a horrible child. At church and at home, she always prayed for me, and by God's grace I turned into a better person. Shortly after I was drafted by New England, my mother suffered a stroke. During her rehabilitation, she suffered a series of strokes which put her in a coma. Then in 1988, she died. I stood strong through her illness and played productively in the NFL. As I began to reflect on how I handled the adversity and thought about the strength it took to get through it I came across this poem called "Footprints". One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; one belonged to him, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you leave me." This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only. I don't understand why when I needed you most you leave me." The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you." I finally realized that I didn't make it through the most difficult time on my own strength. I made it through on God's strength. Jesus Christ carried me when I couldn't walk! From that point on, my heart was introduced to Jesus. Before this time, I knew Jesus in my head -- I learned about Him in church. But it wasn't enough for me to know Jesus intellectually. I had to know Him personally. What about you? Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? If not I pray that you will begin a relationship with Him today. He loves you and He cares about you just as much as He cares about me. If you would like to know more about Jesus and what He can do for you, just click the button on the left side of your screen to change your life. |
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