Are YOU in someone's Hall of Fame?

My husband is my hero, and someone I most desire to be like.  He found his dream and his passion and he stays up nights, works insanely long hours and takes incredible risks to make his dream come true.  He lives his dream every day.  Sure, it’s hard and he puts his heart on the line quite often, but for him, it is worth it.  He is my hero because of it.  I’m truly amazed at what his accomplishments are and how fast they have come. 

My husband, Dennis, is into sports.  Mainly football and baseball, and he keeps in his head all the players and their statistics.  As a matter of fact, it is his job to know all the stats.  His dream was to start a podcast talking about fantasy sports to the masses.  So one day at the end of summer in 2010, he came to me and said, “What do you think if I built a recording studio in our home, I want to start podcasting.”  At that point I didn’t even know what a podcast was, (guess I was a little behind the times).  But I agreed and he bought a bunch of microphones and sound proofing.  Then off he went, creating podcasts and giving fantasy advice on the web.  Within the first few months he developed a significant following and had begun to book a repertoire of well admired sports guests and actors/comedians who love sports on his show.  By the next fall we were invited to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony as part of the media.  What an amazing first experience that turned out to be.  Since then, Dennis has worked with ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Radio, NFL Play 60 program, The Armed Forces Network and several other large Podcasting sites around the nation.  This all happened in three years…  That, to me, is amazing. 

Again this year we went to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and with our media credentials and were able to get close and personal with coaches, players, and the other media personnel there to celebrate the inductees and fifty years of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.   One theme that I found constantly was the humility that these gentlemen felt.  We were on hallowed ground in Canton, Ohio.  The men inducted were humbled and greatly honored to be chosen into “The Hall”.  There were many activities taking place throughout our time there however, the whole weekend was summed up in one magical night on the field of Fawcett Stadium.   We listened to the newly enshrines give their acceptance speeches.  These men were in awe of what has happened and they had many to thank.  They are football players, remember?  Not speech makers.  But they courageously and happily got on the stage and gave testimonies. These were not speeches, more like testimonies of hard work and dreams coming true.  They gave witnesses of many prayers of family members, broken bones and backyard ball games. 

The one that stood out above the rest for me was Hall of Fame enshrinee, Chris Carter former wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings.   He spoke about his childhood and how he began in his career in football and told a joke then even an apology.  What was poignant about his speech was when he asked his mother to stand up.  He explained how much sacrifice she had done on behalf of him and his siblings.  How he knew it was hard for her while they were growing up.  It was now time for her to relax now because she, herself, was being inducted into the Hall of Fame, and it was smooth sailing from here on out.  He went on to induct into the Hall of Fame his wife, his high school football coach, and the two people who showed him God and how to fight alcohol abuse.  The entire stadium was awe struck and filled with purpose. 

 

It took those people and thousands more to get him to where he is now.  Mr. Carter knew that.  He knew that everyone on the field and in the stands was part of his trip to the Hall of Fame and he recognized each one of those people in his speech and thanked them.

So the question begs…whose Hall of Fame are you in?  What have you done to encourage someone else dreams?  Or help a friend when they needed you?  You see, the types of Hall of Fames we see daily are not necessarily for Pro Football or Rock and Roll Hall of Fames.  They are for the “Best Diaper Changer” or “Hand Holder”.  I know there are people desperately looking for people to induct into their “Bring it in for a Hug Hall of Fame” or their “Shoulder to Lean On Hall of Fame”.  These Halls are just as important as any other induction if not more.  My husband is in my Hall of Fame for Hard Worker, loving husband, wonderful father...tell me those don't stack up against outstanding quarterback?

I walked out of Fawcett Stadium that summer evening not feeling like I could be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, let’s face it my spiral…well, doesn’t spiral, and my tackle doesn’t hardly motivate my husband to move.  It left me feeling inspired to find as many people as I could and give them a hand into their Hall of Fame, whatever it may be.  Let us all be more like Chris Carter’s family and friends and help each other through love and support and faith.  So that we all can achieve amazing unbelievable feats. If everyone had just one person encouraging them, think of how much confidence would be found. 

My challenge for you today is to find one person and tell them that you believe in them.  That they make a difference in your life and you know they have the ability to do what God is calling them to do.  Do it with the confidence that I know you have; because I know that God gave you; God is calling you for greatness.  You know what else?  I believe in you too.