WEBVTT 00:02.980 --> 00:03.941 [SPEAKER_01]: Christian parenting. 00:08.305 --> 00:16.632 [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the Bible for Kids Podcast with your hosts, author Trisha Goyer, and author and co-creator of Veggie Tales, Mike Noraki. 00:17.072 --> 00:24.679 [SPEAKER_00]: If instilling biblical values and kids is important to you, this podcast will give you the resources, wisdom, and hope to do just that. 00:25.180 --> 00:28.903 [SPEAKER_00]: Now let's join our hosts, Trisha, and Mike for this week's episode. 00:34.999 --> 00:36.900 [SPEAKER_01]: Welcome back to the Bible for Kids Podcast. 00:37.000 --> 00:37.840 [SPEAKER_01]: I'm Mike Naraki. 00:38.240 --> 00:39.400 [SPEAKER_02]: And I'm Trisha Gaurier. 00:39.440 --> 00:47.403 [SPEAKER_02]: Today we're excited to have Educator, Mom, and Author, Elizabeth Lange, Thompson on the show to talk about her new book in season. 00:47.903 --> 00:51.804 [SPEAKER_02]: A 90-day devotional created specifically for female student athletes. 00:52.204 --> 00:56.806 [SPEAKER_02]: But before we do that, we like to start Every Bible for Kids Podcast with a Bible verse. 00:57.106 --> 00:57.546 [SPEAKER_02]: So Mike? 00:58.346 --> 01:02.528 [SPEAKER_01]: Sure, and today's verse is taken from First Corinthians 9, verses 24 through 25. 01:03.909 --> 01:08.431 [SPEAKER_01]: Do not know then in a race, all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. 01:08.831 --> 01:10.552 [SPEAKER_01]: Run in such a way as to get the prize. 01:11.093 --> 01:14.274 [SPEAKER_01]: Everyone who competes in the games goes on to strict training. 01:14.834 --> 01:19.637 [SPEAKER_01]: They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 01:20.342 --> 01:21.263 [SPEAKER_02]: Thanks, Mike. 01:21.383 --> 01:30.414 [SPEAKER_02]: So Elizabeth Lang Thompson is author of many books for women and teens, including when God says, wait, all the fills and all the fills for teens. 01:30.814 --> 01:35.360 [SPEAKER_02]: She writes at Elizabeth Lang and it's L-A-I-N-G Thompson.com. 01:35.720 --> 01:46.464 [SPEAKER_02]: about clinging to Christ through the chaos of daily life as a speaker, novelist, and novelist, Elizabeth loves finding humor and holiness and hope in heartache. 01:46.905 --> 01:53.187 [SPEAKER_02]: When she's not snort laughing with her family, you'll find her teaching, bar classes, or inhaling copy while 01:55.388 --> 02:05.514 [SPEAKER_01]: Elizabeth fellow snort laugh or welcome, I'll try not to do it, so glad to have you on now. 02:05.554 --> 02:11.177 [SPEAKER_01]: I got to ask were you all so we were you all student athlete or any your kids student athletes kind of going into this 02:11.822 --> 02:15.304 [SPEAKER_03]: Yes, so we are a family that really love sports. 02:15.564 --> 02:18.465 [SPEAKER_03]: So my husband played college football. 02:18.505 --> 02:25.448 [SPEAKER_03]: He was a quarterback in college and so we connected a lot over just, you know, me cheering for him on the sidelines. 02:25.728 --> 02:32.591 [SPEAKER_03]: And I played basketball and ran cross country and track in high school and then all four of my kids love sports. 02:33.231 --> 02:45.855 [SPEAKER_03]: especially my second daughter, third child, Avery, who I'm sure we'll talk about her a little bit, but this book is kind of a labor of love for Avery and all the Avery's out there who love Jesus and sports. 02:46.735 --> 02:47.595 [SPEAKER_01]: Oh, that's wonderful. 02:47.615 --> 02:50.296 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, I couldn't really relate sports. 02:51.136 --> 02:53.557 [SPEAKER_01]: Family ourselves and did the same thing I also played. 02:53.577 --> 02:54.297 [SPEAKER_02]: Why did you play? 02:54.970 --> 02:58.571 [SPEAKER_01]: So I played, well, so in high school I was a swimmer and a tennis player. 02:59.071 --> 03:04.073 [SPEAKER_01]: My mom was a nurse and she would not let me play football in high school, which I really wanted to. 03:04.113 --> 03:09.655 [SPEAKER_01]: But when I went to college I went to a D3 school, they were just starting up a football team. 03:09.775 --> 03:16.077 [SPEAKER_01]: So I played a couple of years and I think probably, you know, I had a good arm because I'm tall and you know, was used to swing in a tennis racket. 03:16.557 --> 03:18.458 [SPEAKER_01]: So, so played a couple of years. 03:18.918 --> 03:23.059 [SPEAKER_01]: I talked to a D1 football player the other day and I said, you know, I've got two more 03:25.701 --> 03:38.475 [SPEAKER_01]: I know, but it was so, but, and then my kids to my son, you know, was a runner and a soccer player and my daughter, you know, was a cheerleader and volleyball as well, so did my wife. 03:38.515 --> 03:40.758 [SPEAKER_01]: So, yeah, so this is great, I'm going forward to the conversation. 03:41.138 --> 03:42.860 [SPEAKER_02]: Oh, it's all a fun stuff. 03:42.880 --> 03:43.201 [SPEAKER_02]: I love it. 03:43.221 --> 03:50.048 [SPEAKER_02]: Well Elizabeth, you wrote in season to meet athletes in the middle of their dreams so drive and they're daily struggle. 03:50.088 --> 03:50.549 [SPEAKER_02]: I love that. 03:51.070 --> 03:54.914 [SPEAKER_02]: Well, initially it sparked you mentioned every minute ago, um, idea for the 03:58.840 --> 04:19.767 [SPEAKER_03]: sport have always been a huge part of her life and even her identity, you know like hey who who are you what do you do you guys ask kids like what are you into and she's oh I play softball I play lacrosse and as she got older and lacrosse became more and more of something that she loved watching the journey that she would go on year after year of 04:20.408 --> 04:47.223 [SPEAKER_03]: the excitement and the build up heading into the season and try out and the insecurity of, oh am I going to make the team and then if I do make the team what's my role going to be and then from there you make the team and you're on and you're playing and then there's that midseason grind where you are just so overwhelmed and exhausted like you're doing what you love but you are exhausted doing it just watching her go through that emotional journey 04:48.103 --> 05:14.729 [SPEAKER_03]: While trying to pursue God, you know, it was during the season it was like this was the time in her life She needed God the most but had the least time in which to pursue him and so we started looking for Hey, what are some resources to support you to help you stay plugged in to God's state in prayer stay in the word And we just couldn't quite find what she was looking for devotional book written by a female athlete for female athletes and 05:15.109 --> 05:16.450 [SPEAKER_03]: at the time we just couldn't find it. 05:16.470 --> 05:19.112 [SPEAKER_03]: And so we were like, all right, we got to do something about this. 05:19.132 --> 05:21.274 [SPEAKER_03]: There are a lot of girls seeking Jesus out there. 05:21.854 --> 05:24.096 [SPEAKER_03]: And I know there are some other resources as well. 05:24.216 --> 05:31.941 [SPEAKER_03]: But this is really a love letter to Avery and all the Avery's who are seeking God and sports with their whole heart. 05:33.797 --> 05:34.798 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, oh, that is so cool. 05:34.818 --> 05:35.658 [SPEAKER_01]: What a great resource. 05:35.698 --> 05:52.327 [SPEAKER_01]: Now Jackie join your cursey endorsed your book, which is amazing I mean I saw that name and it's like, wow, that just brought back a flood of memories I think her first Olympics was when I graduated high school in 84 So it's like I just remember her in the Olympics constantly, you know, and my you know, and I was younger 05:52.907 --> 05:57.914 [SPEAKER_01]: But that's amazing, and she noted it captures the heart of what sports can teach us. 05:58.595 --> 06:03.101 [SPEAKER_01]: What was it like receiving that level of support with Olympic medalists? 06:03.201 --> 06:04.103 [SPEAKER_01]: That's really cool. 06:05.083 --> 06:11.104 [SPEAKER_03]: I gotta say, I don't use this word very often, but I was gobsmacked, I mean, probably. 06:11.925 --> 06:22.567 [SPEAKER_03]: We connected through actually one of the young ladies, the young athletes that I interviewed for this book, Jaya Patillo, Jackie is her godmother, and so that's sort of how this connection got made. 06:22.627 --> 06:30.409 [SPEAKER_03]: And I was so honored and humbled by her words because I grew up watching her every Olympic that was just all Jackie join her. 06:35.650 --> 06:42.434 [SPEAKER_03]: And I think what it meant to me was that Jackie and several other amazing women endorses this book. 06:42.714 --> 06:46.757 [SPEAKER_03]: What I saw in them was this desire for women to support other women. 06:46.917 --> 06:54.481 [SPEAKER_03]: They wanted to reach back and say, hey, this is a tool that can help other young athletes coming behind me to be their best and walk with God. 06:54.701 --> 06:57.343 [SPEAKER_03]: And so I'm all in to support other female athletes. 06:57.423 --> 07:02.346 [SPEAKER_03]: And that I think is what I got out of it more than anything, just that women supporting women. 07:05.452 --> 07:06.132 [SPEAKER_01]: Oh, that's so cool. 07:06.692 --> 07:07.073 [SPEAKER_02]: I love it. 07:07.093 --> 07:11.254 [SPEAKER_02]: And you mentioned a minute ago that do you use real life stories from female athletes? 07:11.374 --> 07:14.315 [SPEAKER_02]: I mean, range from high school all the way to professional leagues. 07:14.795 --> 07:17.696 [SPEAKER_02]: Was there one particular story that profoundly impacted you? 07:17.756 --> 07:18.697 [SPEAKER_02]: While you were writing this? 07:19.597 --> 07:20.997 [SPEAKER_03]: Ooh, that's such a great question. 07:21.417 --> 07:29.280 [SPEAKER_03]: I, this was my favorite part of writing this book was interviewing women and sort of just reaching out like, hey, who has a story to share? 07:29.400 --> 07:30.120 [SPEAKER_03]: Do you have one? 07:30.301 --> 07:31.641 [SPEAKER_03]: You know, do you know someone who, 07:32.178 --> 07:36.239 [SPEAKER_03]: is serious about sports or even casual about sports, but has a cool story to tell. 07:36.920 --> 07:40.181 [SPEAKER_03]: That was one of my favorite parts, just making those connections. 07:40.461 --> 07:52.585 [SPEAKER_03]: So I'm very grateful to all the ladies who were so generous with and humble to say, hey, here was a moment of weakness, here was a moment of struggle, here was a moment of joy that I'm willing to share. 07:53.688 --> 07:58.816 [SPEAKER_03]: You know, I was especially moved by Gency Dunn, who is a professional women's hockey player. 07:59.537 --> 08:08.229 [SPEAKER_03]: I was specifically looking for a story about what are your spiritual habits during the sport season, like how do you stay connected to God? 08:08.890 --> 08:09.950 [SPEAKER_03]: while you're competing. 08:10.391 --> 08:12.971 [SPEAKER_03]: And this woman blew me away. 08:13.091 --> 08:14.552 [SPEAKER_03]: I was like, I am not. 08:14.572 --> 08:15.992 [SPEAKER_03]: I have this busy as you are. 08:16.232 --> 08:19.173 [SPEAKER_03]: And I can imitate the way you walk with God. 08:19.553 --> 08:30.456 [SPEAKER_03]: She shared so many things that she does to intentionally pursue God, even in the middle of a workout, how she incorporates prayer and breath prayers into her workouts. 08:30.736 --> 08:32.457 [SPEAKER_03]: I was astounded by her. 08:32.517 --> 08:34.437 [SPEAKER_03]: So I just learned a lot from 08:37.000 --> 08:37.901 [SPEAKER_01]: Wow, that's so cool. 08:38.301 --> 08:39.882 [SPEAKER_01]: It is time for our first break. 08:39.902 --> 08:42.263 [SPEAKER_01]: We're going to take a break, and we'll be right back on the Bible for kids. 08:46.346 --> 08:56.673 [SPEAKER_02]: When all the stands between Jewish children and the Nazis that hunt them is the brave volunteers of the Dutch resistance, can one boy in his family really make a difference? 08:57.391 --> 09:10.554 [SPEAKER_01]: Set during the final months of World War II, time for courage is a gripping middle-grade historical fiction novel that delivers edge-of-your-seat suspense and a powerful story of faith, sacrifice, and bravery in the face of fear. 09:11.294 --> 09:20.036 [SPEAKER_01]: Armed with ration cards, secret networks, and unwavering resolve, 13-year-old Durk in his family risk everything to save lives and stay true to their faith. 09:20.676 --> 09:24.257 [SPEAKER_01]: When doing what's right demands everything, courage becomes the only choice. 09:25.006 --> 09:29.770 [SPEAKER_02]: Time for courage is available now online, or at your favorite local retailer. 09:33.793 --> 09:39.098 [SPEAKER_02]: Are you searching for the perfect guest to celebrate the special moms, dads, and grads in your life? 09:39.618 --> 09:43.482 [SPEAKER_01]: We're thrilled to bring back the Christian parenting moms, dads, and grads gift guide. 09:44.118 --> 09:55.305 [SPEAKER_02]: And this year's edition is our best yet, whether you're honoring a loving mom, a devoted dad, or an inspiring grad, we've got you covered with meaningful gifts that'll truly love. 09:55.846 --> 10:02.410 [SPEAKER_01]: From Bibles and Study Tools to Encouraging Books, you're guaranteed to find something special for everyone on your gift list this spring. 10:02.947 --> 10:04.028 [SPEAKER_02]: Visit ChristianParenting.org for its last gifts. 10:04.048 --> 10:05.028 [SPEAKER_02]: That's ChristianParenting.org for its last gifts. 10:05.048 --> 10:06.249 [SPEAKER_02]: To explore the 2026, mom, stads, and grads gift guide today. 10:06.269 --> 10:06.989 [SPEAKER_02]: The link is also in the show notes. 10:07.009 --> 10:29.941 [SPEAKER_02]: [♪ Music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing in background music playing 10:30.667 --> 10:34.070 [SPEAKER_01]: Elizabeth, we live in such a highly competitive culture. 10:34.130 --> 10:44.460 [SPEAKER_01]: I mean, from travel sports when kids are growing up through high school and college, I just remember that pressure of competition always. 10:44.500 --> 10:50.205 [SPEAKER_01]: And it can, you know, it's that drive to win, but it's also, there's so many, can be so many other things attached to it. 10:50.265 --> 10:56.151 [SPEAKER_01]: It's like, oh, if I work really hard with this, maybe I'll get into the school I wanna go to, all that kind of stuff. 10:56.891 --> 11:05.726 [SPEAKER_01]: How does your your book help young women navigate that pressure, you know, to win and get those other things while holding out of the pure joy of the game, right? 11:05.746 --> 11:10.855 [SPEAKER_01]: Because at the end of the day, that's kind of what it's about is just the joy of sport. 11:11.638 --> 11:40.665 [SPEAKER_03]: Yes, I think that is one of the biggest struggles for young women is to remember you know I'm doing this because I love it Yeah, I'm doing this because it brings me joy Yeah, not just because I want to win or because I'm using it as a platform to get where I want to go In my life and we do live in such an outcome oriented performance oriented culture that It's tough because girls are getting fed sort of mixed messages so we talk a lot in this book 11:41.785 --> 11:56.849 [SPEAKER_03]: about who God says you are, and who your identity is in Christ, that you are more than your stats, you are more than your skills, you are more than your sport, you are a daughter of God first and foremost, and that never changes. 11:56.929 --> 12:05.111 [SPEAKER_03]: So if your season is stinking it up, if you had a bad practice, if you had a bad game, if you and your coach you're not getting along, you know, you're okay. 12:05.645 --> 12:09.148 [SPEAKER_03]: because of who God says you are and what he thinks about you. 12:09.208 --> 12:12.852 [SPEAKER_03]: That is just the only constant you can count on. 12:13.192 --> 12:14.894 [SPEAKER_03]: So we talk a lot about identity. 12:14.954 --> 12:26.965 [SPEAKER_03]: We talk about a growth mindset, resilience, all those things that I think help girls sort of rise above the pressure to perform and have that bigger picture perspective that's transformative. 12:27.525 --> 12:27.946 [SPEAKER_01]: Wonderful. 12:28.678 --> 12:29.338 [SPEAKER_02]: I love that. 12:29.618 --> 12:35.361 [SPEAKER_02]: You know, we, we did travel ball, but we lived in Montana at the time in a home school league. 12:35.381 --> 12:41.144 [SPEAKER_02]: So you had a travel like five hours to play in a travel in Montana. 12:41.244 --> 12:41.864 [SPEAKER_01]: Oh my goodness. 12:42.004 --> 12:42.764 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah. 12:42.784 --> 12:43.665 [SPEAKER_01]: That was a heavy lift. 12:43.725 --> 12:44.325 [SPEAKER_02]: To get there. 12:44.385 --> 12:48.527 [SPEAKER_02]: But it wasn't like we were like, you know, this big old travel team. 12:48.547 --> 12:53.749 [SPEAKER_02]: It was like you had to actually travel to go play basketball in a closet hut with another home. 12:56.170 --> 13:14.423 [SPEAKER_02]: And my daughter ran that, but it's like now they're in their 30s, so it's such a joy to have that time, but there is a lot of demands on travel, on practice schedules, my son signed it for football, he's Monday, he starts football partners, we went in, they have $100,000 a weight room at this high school. 13:14.483 --> 13:18.286 [SPEAKER_02]: I was like, this is getting a little serious, I mean, all of the demands. 13:18.726 --> 13:22.949 [SPEAKER_02]: So I know that student athletes can often build totally overextended with the travel, 13:23.329 --> 13:25.131 [SPEAKER_02]: the practice expectations. 13:25.491 --> 13:32.137 [SPEAKER_02]: What advice you have for the girl that's struggling, like you mentioned before, to stay connected with her faith in the middle of sports season. 13:32.197 --> 13:37.181 [SPEAKER_02]: I would love some more and for even those practical tips that they maybe can learn with them. 13:37.802 --> 13:47.070 [SPEAKER_03]: Sure, you know, one of the things that I talk about in the book is how can you just build simple, not 13:47.775 --> 13:58.564 [SPEAKER_03]: lengthy, not extreme, but very simple spiritual habits into your daily life to sustain you throughout the season, even if it's five minutes. 13:58.964 --> 14:09.593 [SPEAKER_03]: You know, I set aside five minutes before practice, or if you're an early bird, morning person, good do it in the morning, but maybe it's after school, maybe it's right before dinner. 14:10.053 --> 14:11.755 [SPEAKER_03]: When can you just take a breath? 14:12.282 --> 14:14.265 [SPEAKER_03]: and take that moment to connect with God. 14:14.305 --> 14:23.778 [SPEAKER_03]: You read a scripture, even we talk about the importance of having that spiritual support system in those spiritual friendships that you've turned to and you say, hey, I need prayer today. 14:24.539 --> 14:25.961 [SPEAKER_03]: I am feeling overwhelmed. 14:26.041 --> 14:27.143 [SPEAKER_03]: Will you pray me through? 14:27.523 --> 14:31.346 [SPEAKER_03]: this big test that I have and these big games that I have this week. 14:31.446 --> 14:33.128 [SPEAKER_03]: It's too much, pray me through it. 14:33.668 --> 14:38.933 [SPEAKER_03]: So, you know, that openness, getting that accountability, it's spiritual support system in place. 14:38.993 --> 14:45.158 [SPEAKER_03]: I think those are huge steps that help girls to not start drowning. 14:45.278 --> 14:48.921 [SPEAKER_03]: You know, but sort of lift up their hand and say, okay, I'm reaching for God. 14:49.301 --> 14:54.646 [SPEAKER_03]: I'm reaching for people before I get to that place where I'm completely in over my head. 14:55.512 --> 14:55.812 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah. 14:56.093 --> 14:56.793 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah. 14:56.833 --> 15:06.524 [SPEAKER_01]: And I wanted to bring that up too, because along with the other scripture, you know, you talk about those practical things in season offers like interactive goal setting and weekly progress check-ins. 15:06.904 --> 15:14.352 [SPEAKER_01]: So can you talk a little bit about why it's vital for you to include these practical exercises along side of spiritual reflections? 15:15.057 --> 15:31.880 [SPEAKER_03]: Sure, you know, I think one of the big things sports is such an opportunity to get you ready for the rest of your life because not everybody's going to go on to play college sports isn't you're not necessarily going to do this the rest of your life, but it's teaching you that time management it's teaching you to. 15:32.347 --> 15:39.293 [SPEAKER_03]: be disciplined to live your life with intention to be proactive about getting the help you need before it's too late. 15:39.753 --> 15:44.998 [SPEAKER_03]: So I tried to incorporate a lot of tools that would help girls learn those habits. 15:45.058 --> 15:48.981 [SPEAKER_03]: So we've got like a timeout that you take at the beginning of each week. 15:49.141 --> 15:51.243 [SPEAKER_03]: To just ask yourself, hey, what are my goals? 15:51.283 --> 15:54.486 [SPEAKER_03]: What are my needs and what are my prayers for this week? 15:54.866 --> 15:56.748 [SPEAKER_03]: Just think that through ahead of time. 15:57.652 --> 16:02.854 [SPEAKER_03]: And then a weekly check in at the end of the week to say, hey, how did it go? 16:03.294 --> 16:04.835 [SPEAKER_03]: Do I need more support? 16:05.255 --> 16:06.216 [SPEAKER_03]: Am I struggling? 16:06.716 --> 16:08.977 [SPEAKER_03]: Do I have an injury that I haven't told anybody about? 16:09.057 --> 16:10.658 [SPEAKER_03]: And I need to get some support there. 16:11.058 --> 16:12.638 [SPEAKER_03]: Do I have a prayer request? 16:12.678 --> 16:17.500 [SPEAKER_03]: Do I need to get my mentor or my youth pastor praying for me or my family? 16:18.221 --> 16:19.401 [SPEAKER_03]: What do I need? 16:19.801 --> 16:25.464 [SPEAKER_03]: And I think all of that works together to help girls learn to be proactive and to live with intention. 16:26.165 --> 16:44.120 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, well, I love being intentional about those just those little quick things that you can do because otherwise you're so occupied kind of with everything else going on you sort of put it on the back burner, but when you can just take a moment to reflect on that and to say, well, hey, wait a minute, maybe I do need to ask help for this and you know, it's not going to take a long time, but I just need to be intentional about it. 16:44.140 --> 16:45.822 [SPEAKER_01]: I think that's a great great thing to do. 16:46.918 --> 16:47.719 [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, for sure. 16:48.319 --> 16:50.480 [SPEAKER_02]: And it will suck to the parents or grandparents. 16:50.500 --> 16:55.704 [SPEAKER_02]: It might be listening right now, because as I'm listening, I mean, you have lots of, I have multiple daughters. 16:55.884 --> 16:57.105 [SPEAKER_02]: Now I have granddaughters. 16:57.665 --> 17:00.347 [SPEAKER_02]: And we know like how they're self. 17:00.467 --> 17:02.989 [SPEAKER_02]: We definitely have that a little bit can get wrapped up in this. 17:03.509 --> 17:12.475 [SPEAKER_02]: But I mean, I'm thinking the parent or grandparents almost needs their own copy as they're going along because often there's things we don't even know that might be a struggle. 17:14.036 --> 17:18.317 [SPEAKER_02]: don't suggestions that we might have that this can help us with. 17:18.337 --> 17:28.801 [SPEAKER_02]: So talking to the parents and grandparents, how can they use this to help the young women and their lives maybe to build resilience or confidence off the field? 17:29.763 --> 17:45.964 [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, that is definitely one of my big prayers for this book that it becomes a sort of connecting point for parents and grandparents who are looking for a way to support the female athletes that they love in their life to support them in their faith to say, hey, I think this is a tool that could. 17:46.864 --> 17:48.985 [SPEAKER_03]: Help you stay close to God that can help you. 17:49.085 --> 18:04.509 [SPEAKER_03]: I'll even read it with you because you know some girls Maybe they don't have a close relationship with another Christian on their team Some have that some don't but hey if you have a mom or a grandma who's like I'm gonna read with you I will support you. 18:04.669 --> 18:07.170 [SPEAKER_03]: I will text you encouragements from what we read together 18:07.832 --> 18:09.713 [SPEAKER_03]: that goes a long way. 18:09.813 --> 18:14.715 [SPEAKER_03]: I know my Avery and I, we have to check in a lot throughout the week like how are you doing? 18:14.735 --> 18:16.076 [SPEAKER_03]: How are you feeling? 18:16.136 --> 18:16.916 [SPEAKER_03]: What do you need? 18:16.976 --> 18:18.537 [SPEAKER_03]: What can I pray for you about? 18:19.057 --> 18:22.478 [SPEAKER_03]: Are there any crises that I don't know about going on? 18:22.698 --> 18:28.041 [SPEAKER_03]: They you just haven't had time to tell me about because you just breeze in and out to practice, to school, to all the places. 18:28.501 --> 18:31.182 [SPEAKER_03]: So I think it can be a great connecting point. 18:32.362 --> 18:33.403 [SPEAKER_03]: And you know, it's also 18:34.077 --> 18:43.443 [SPEAKER_03]: I do think sports have changed a lot, like even since I was doing them, and the 90s like, it's a whole new ball game, it's way more intense that it used to be. 18:43.903 --> 18:47.265 [SPEAKER_03]: So it can give you some insight into this, what your daughter's actually going through. 18:48.222 --> 18:49.984 [SPEAKER_01]: I, you know, that's so true. 18:50.024 --> 18:56.930 [SPEAKER_01]: I just recall, like we were sort of, I don't know, maybe blissfully unaware with how competitive it was, you know, when our kids were growing up. 18:56.950 --> 19:03.756 [SPEAKER_01]: Because I remember, you know, when I wanted to go out for the swim team or whatever in high school, it's like, okay, I'll just go out and go for the swim team. 19:03.877 --> 19:06.759 [SPEAKER_01]: And, you know, and, you know, I'll probably get on cause I can kind of swim. 19:07.140 --> 19:09.702 [SPEAKER_01]: And, you know, and I remember we took our daughter to, 19:11.043 --> 19:38.577 [SPEAKER_01]: middle school volleyball the middle school volleyball you know try outs and it's like okay she's pretty coordinated she you know and my wife was a volleyball players like she'll love this and uh try it out it turned out that all the other girls had been playing travel volleyball for like three or four years and she had absolutely no chance and so and so and so then so we saw okay mental note now for our younger son so we get him involved earlier you know so it's just like this cycle it just felt like a vicious cycle that wasn't when we were when we were 19:39.037 --> 19:40.238 [SPEAKER_01]: It's like, okay, it's the fun of this part. 19:40.258 --> 19:41.178 [SPEAKER_01]: We'll go out, it'll be great. 19:41.538 --> 19:44.620 [SPEAKER_01]: But yeah, it's just even getting on a team is so difficult now. 19:45.361 --> 19:51.824 [SPEAKER_03]: Oh my goodness, yes, we have the same thing, middle school volleyball, like you would think, there would be an entry point there, right? 19:52.024 --> 19:57.868 [SPEAKER_01]: Right, right, you know, you had to specialize when you were... Come on, come on, right, yeah, but no, no, oh my goodness. 19:58.528 --> 20:00.549 [SPEAKER_01]: All right, well, we'll continue our conversation. 20:00.609 --> 20:02.090 [SPEAKER_01]: It's time for another short break. 20:02.110 --> 20:03.511 [SPEAKER_01]: We'll be right back on the Bible for kids. 20:07.565 --> 20:14.368 [SPEAKER_02]: from the co-creator, bedsheetails, and the voice of Larry the cucumber, comes and all new Dead Sea squirrels adventure. 20:14.848 --> 20:25.932 [SPEAKER_02]: When Michael and Justin are forced to hide moral and pearls identities in a class presentation, they turn to AI to generate odd squirrels' thinnets, Uncle Merge, and Aunt Purge. 20:26.432 --> 20:32.234 [SPEAKER_02]: As things spiral out of control, the boys begin to wonder if the cost of lying is worth it. 20:32.714 --> 20:34.115 [SPEAKER_02]: Don't miss cyber squirrels. 20:34.416 --> 20:40.196 [SPEAKER_02]: Book 13 in the Dead Sea Scrolls series, available now wherever books are sold. 20:43.303 --> 20:46.245 [SPEAKER_01]: Looking for a daily devotional, your tween will actually engage with. 20:46.465 --> 20:56.010 [SPEAKER_02]: Heroes of the Bible devotional too offers 100 engaging devotions for kids ages 8 to 12, featuring real people from the Bible and the early church. 20:56.350 --> 21:09.378 [SPEAKER_02]: With scripture, discussion questions and practical ways to grow in faith, kids will be inspired by the stories of how God used ordinary people for extraordinary purposes and learn how to live out their faith in everyday life. 21:10.171 --> 21:20.160 [SPEAKER_01]: A powerful follow-up to the best-selling first volume, Heroes of the Bible devotional too, is available now online or at your favorite local retailer. 21:23.524 --> 21:27.928 [SPEAKER_02]: Welcome back to the Bible for kids, Mike and I are here with Elizabeth Lang Thompson. 21:28.531 --> 21:32.433 [SPEAKER_01]: All right, so let's talk about like team and team dynamics. 21:32.693 --> 21:35.454 [SPEAKER_01]: Sports involves complex relationships and teamwork. 21:36.034 --> 21:47.420 [SPEAKER_01]: How does your book address the everyday like relational struggles that girls face with their teammates, their coaches, their families, because it can be like a pretty complex social network there. 21:48.220 --> 21:52.382 [SPEAKER_03]: For sure, so the book is structured where every week has its own theme. 21:52.662 --> 21:56.204 [SPEAKER_03]: And so one of the week's themes is just friendship. 21:57.097 --> 22:00.898 [SPEAKER_03]: You know, it's funny because you hear a lot of talk. 22:00.938 --> 22:10.260 [SPEAKER_03]: Like people talk a big game about how close we are on their our team, like we're all close like sisters, we're all besties, and sometimes that is the case. 22:10.340 --> 22:12.161 [SPEAKER_03]: And that is beautiful when that happens. 22:12.741 --> 22:17.942 [SPEAKER_03]: But there are a lot of complex dynamics because sometimes you're sort of competing against your friend. 22:18.302 --> 22:21.304 [SPEAKER_03]: for the same starting position, what do you do then? 22:21.384 --> 22:32.130 [SPEAKER_03]: Like, as a Christian, who's trying to be humble and put others first, but also play your best, like, and also playing a curse on your competitor. 22:33.711 --> 22:41.015 [SPEAKER_03]: Right, so like, for example, in that week, I have one devotional that's titled, when you have success, but a teammate doesn't. 22:41.985 --> 22:45.948 [SPEAKER_03]: And then the next day is when a teammate has success and you don't. 22:46.068 --> 23:00.900 [SPEAKER_03]: So like, what does the Bible have to say about jealousy, about rejoicing for other people, about being humble and turning back to support someone who maybe isn't in the same place that you are and encouraging her and not being full of yourself. 23:01.435 --> 23:03.837 [SPEAKER_03]: All those complexities, the Bible can help us with. 23:04.377 --> 23:05.878 [SPEAKER_01]: Yes, yes, yes. 23:06.118 --> 23:12.982 [SPEAKER_01]: Well, and it is, I mean, and obviously it's a microcosm of life too because that's exactly what it's like in the profession where I tell my students that all the time. 23:13.042 --> 23:21.648 [SPEAKER_01]: It's like, you know, you're going to go out there and be competing with other people and friends that you go through college with and they might get that job and you don't get that job. 23:22.849 --> 23:32.437 [SPEAKER_01]: How do you deal with that and really the only thing to do is to celebrate the success of others and just to rejoice with them in that. 23:33.097 --> 23:38.142 [SPEAKER_01]: And then hopefully you can create that kind of culture where that's mutual within all the numbers of the team. 23:39.903 --> 23:44.167 [SPEAKER_01]: Really, I think that makes for much stronger teams in the long run too. 23:44.918 --> 24:04.768 [SPEAKER_02]: or show my life lessons that we learn in sports and I mean it just applies to so many parts of life commitment showing up doing your best and I always think that whenever we write books we know it's for the other person like the readers out there but God does something in s too so I would just love to hear 24:05.348 --> 24:10.774 [SPEAKER_02]: kind of what God did in you as you wrote this book and that you teach the bar classes and you love your coffee. 24:10.795 --> 24:16.441 [SPEAKER_02]: I mean did it change your physical routines or daily habits that granted you in your walk with God? 24:16.461 --> 24:19.945 [SPEAKER_01]: No, is this pure bar or is this like for the lawyers? 24:22.396 --> 24:36.023 [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, yeah, so like the bar classes using the ballet bar we had my husband's a pastor We had someone come to our church and she told her mom that her pastor's wife taught bar classes She was like, did you just be able to make strings? 24:36.063 --> 24:37.143 [SPEAKER_03]: No, no, no, no, no. 24:37.263 --> 24:39.605 [SPEAKER_01]: Oh yeah, that's another application. 24:39.625 --> 24:40.205 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, there's one. 24:40.625 --> 24:47.076 [SPEAKER_01]: You know, I think what this did for me more than anything was it reminded me to revisit the moments of adversity in my own life. 24:55.391 --> 24:59.553 [SPEAKER_03]: and to take a step back and see what God was doing through those hard things. 24:59.813 --> 25:11.639 [SPEAKER_03]: Because when you have to write about, hey, you're going to face challenge, you're going to face disappointment, you're going to cry your eyes out after some games and you're going to have to pick yourself up and fight again, go back out there another day. 25:12.220 --> 25:15.521 [SPEAKER_03]: It was good for me to remember that I need to do that. 25:16.662 --> 25:22.725 [SPEAKER_03]: That it's not all, you know, you can feel like your world is ending when you've had a setback in any area of life. 25:23.394 --> 25:32.658 [SPEAKER_03]: but that resilience that God and a godly perspective, a big picture what is God doing in my life, perspective does for us. 25:32.818 --> 25:35.119 [SPEAKER_03]: What that does for us is transformative. 25:35.159 --> 25:37.760 [SPEAKER_03]: So yeah, it was really good for my own heart as well. 25:38.541 --> 25:39.481 [SPEAKER_01]: Mm, that's great. 25:40.622 --> 25:46.584 [SPEAKER_01]: You mentioned your prayer is that every girl discover a faith and joy that lasts long after the final whistle. 25:46.764 --> 25:47.505 [SPEAKER_01]: I love that phrase. 25:48.145 --> 25:49.926 [SPEAKER_01]: What is the one core message you want? 25:50.506 --> 25:52.607 [SPEAKER_01]: Our listeners to walk away with today about your book. 25:54.087 --> 26:06.175 [SPEAKER_03]: You know, I really do hope this book meets them in the middle of all the struggle and joy that sports have to bring to their lives and that it points them to God. 26:06.535 --> 26:18.823 [SPEAKER_03]: That it helps them to walk with God the whole time that they are running after their athletic dreams, realizing that he's the thing that's gonna give them true joy and true success. 26:20.504 --> 26:21.044 [SPEAKER_02]: I love that. 26:21.084 --> 26:23.426 [SPEAKER_02]: And I just love also tunes to bring it back to that point 26:24.738 --> 26:31.883 [SPEAKER_02]: The preparation and the spiritual growth and the foundations that they're building during this time is something that's gonna carry them through life. 26:32.544 --> 26:43.812 [SPEAKER_02]: So, you know, what are some of those key takeaways for friendships and leadership that you hope that by the time they close the book that they're really gonna fill in every part of their lives? 26:44.573 --> 26:45.794 [SPEAKER_03]: Yeah, I love that question. 26:46.134 --> 26:51.738 [SPEAKER_03]: You know, I always think about the scripture where Jesus says, you know, the greatest of all 26:55.226 --> 26:55.454 [SPEAKER_03]: Bye. 26:55.820 --> 27:00.602 [SPEAKER_03]: learning to be like Jesus, to be selfless, and a servant leader. 27:00.622 --> 27:04.404 [SPEAKER_03]: But that's actually the key to joy. 27:04.424 --> 27:07.566 [SPEAKER_03]: That's actually the key to success and happiness. 27:07.606 --> 27:13.329 [SPEAKER_03]: You know, the world tells us that the more successful you are, the less you have to do and the more other people should wait on you. 27:13.729 --> 27:18.692 [SPEAKER_03]: You know, you don't have to do the job that the JV people have to do because you're varsity now. 27:18.752 --> 27:20.873 [SPEAKER_03]: You don't have to carry the equipment because you're cool. 27:21.393 --> 27:24.675 [SPEAKER_03]: But man, Jesus is like, no, the greater you are, the more successful 27:25.735 --> 27:28.856 [SPEAKER_03]: the more you serve and the more you give and you humble yourself. 27:28.976 --> 27:35.617 [SPEAKER_03]: So there's so much that we can bring of Jesus attitude into our sports. 27:35.677 --> 27:38.878 [SPEAKER_03]: I think don't just change us that they change our teens as well. 27:39.698 --> 27:40.839 [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, oh amen. 27:41.259 --> 27:44.640 [SPEAKER_01]: Elizabeth, thank you so much for being with us here today. 27:45.380 --> 27:46.100 [SPEAKER_01]: How can our listeners 27:50.449 --> 28:10.095 [SPEAKER_03]: Yes, you can find me at ElizabethLangTompson.com and that is L-A-I-N-G. You can find me all the usual suspects on social media, you know, Instagram, ElizabethLangTompson, on Facebook, and I really genuinely love hearing from readers and just connecting here in your stories, getting to know a little bit about your life. 28:10.615 --> 28:15.297 [SPEAKER_03]: So I'll almost always, unless I just don't see your message, I will respond. 28:15.357 --> 28:15.557 [SPEAKER_03]: So. 28:16.057 --> 28:16.477 [SPEAKER_01]: Wonderful. 28:17.182 --> 28:21.784 [SPEAKER_02]: I love it and listeners be sure to follow us on Facebook or Instagram at the Bible for kids. 28:22.225 --> 28:29.549 [SPEAKER_02]: The Bible for kids is now a 501c3 non-profit and we love to have you join us in our mission at reaching kids with the message of the Bible. 28:30.009 --> 28:34.911 [SPEAKER_02]: Visit thebibelforkids.com to explore our store, donate, or learn more today. 28:35.352 --> 28:35.952 [SPEAKER_00]: See you next time. 28:38.668 --> 28:43.091 [SPEAKER_00]: Thanks for listening to the Bible for Kids Podcast with Trisha Goyer and Mike Nurekki. 28:43.451 --> 28:49.474 [SPEAKER_00]: Be sure to connect with the Bible for kids on Instagram, Facebook and at thebibelforkids.com. 28:49.914 --> 28:54.177 [SPEAKER_00]: The Bible for Kids Podcast is powered by the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. 28:54.617 --> 28:57.119 [SPEAKER_00]: Find out more at ChristianParenting.org. 28:57.519 --> 29:00.200 [SPEAKER_00]: Our show is also available at wayNation.com.