God has a Bigger & Better Plan for Us All!
April Cassell • June 22, 2020
Lessons Learned During Quarantine
Springtime-a time to get outside and enjoy cooler weather, a time to celebrate March Madness and the
Masters, and a time to celebrate that our Savior left the tomb to give us hope in eternal life. Spring
sports have begun by the beginning of March, and all the athletes and coaches involved in this sports
season are moving ahead at full speed with 2-3 contests a week in each sport. But this year, COVID-19
has rocked our world with a crazy turn of events. The remainder of the sports’ seasons have been
cancelled, schools have been conducting virtual learning experiences, and churches have gone to online
services. We have spent more time at home than we have ever done before! We have learned what
“social distancing” is, and we have been washing our hands twenty times more than normal each day.
This virus has had a tremendous impact on all areas of life all over the world. Being on staff for the
Fellowship of Christian Athletes has become a “virtual” role rather than a physical role. We are staying in
contact with athletes and coaches, and we wanted to find out how our coaches and athletes are dealing
with this “new season of life” both mentally and spiritually.
Many of our coaches and athletes felt disappointed when they first heard that some of their season
would be postponed, then devastation when they realized the rest of their school year and spring
season was ended. Mary Wilson Avant, a senior softball player from Macon who competes for UGA, had
a really emotional response when she thought she would not be able to step on the field again.
Thankfully, the NCAA granted seniors one more year of eligibility in their spring sport, so she will return
to UGA for graduate school and compete on the softball team for one more season. Abby Mitchell, a
senior golf player at Howard High School, was heartbroken to hear the news that her spring season and
the remainder of her school year had been cancelled. She wishes she had one more day to tell all her
classmates and teammates goodbye. Coach Clae Mathis, the head baseball coach at Mary Persons High
School, knew before the season this year he had a special group of players, and he really hurt for his
senior class that would be unable to finish what he feels like would have been one of their best seasons.
Coach Joaquin Sample, head football and track coach at Central High School, also felt disappointed for
his seniors who are missing out on prom, senior trips, senior sports season, and possibly even
graduation. He is also concerned for the class of ‘21 since this is an important evaluation year for them
to prove themselves scholarship worthy to colleges.
Through the quarantine, one thing is certain-our coaches and athletes who would normally be away
from home most of the time have been enjoying time at home with their families. Adam Gillhouse,
football and wrestling coach at Jones County High School, said it has been a struggle at first because he
and wife Megan have three kids five years of age and under, so teaching at home and trying to have a
“schedule” is difficult. They realize it is now more about being “flexible” rather than “organized.” The
coaches have also found ways to stay in touch with their athletes and their parents and their students.
From using Zoom calls to texts and Twitter, to a virtual classroom experience-they are trying to find
ways to connect, encourage, and motivate. And the students have as well. Devin Bateman, a sophomore
football player at Lamar County High School, has been sending workout videos to his teammates. Abby
Mitchell started a senior spotlight for Instagram and has made some videos for her church as well as
FCA. Coach Sample’s theme for this year is, “You can’t always control events, but you can control your
response to those events”, so he has been letting his players know how to “find the right responses to
what is going on, making sure they are adding value to their households, and using this time for self improvement spiritually, academically, and physically”.
Overall, this experience has allowed many people to grow in their faith. Mary Elaine Mitchell, a student
athlete who was competing in golf and soccer for Stratford Academy this spring, feels like she is “diving
deeper into the Word on a daily basis and focusing on praying for individuals and their needs as well as
the needs of our nation.” Coach Mathis discussed how he had been focusing on “identity” this season,
and he had told his team that they must “find their identity in Christ, not in things that can be taken
from us.” Oh, how true this rings for us over the past month! Who would have ever thought we would
be “social distancing” ourselves from our families, friends, and things we love to do? Chandler Wood,
senior FCA huddle leader at Rutland and student athlete feels like this experience has made him see
how important it is “that each and every chance I get to witness to others is crucial, and I should never
take it for granted.” Cassie Sutton, a senior student-athlete at First Presbyterian Day School who
competes on the track team, feels like this situation “exposed where I put my foundation in life.” She
tried to find comfort in reading, running, or music, but she realizes that true fulfillment only comes from
relying on God for comfort. Titus Moore, a sophomore from Macon who is competing in track at
Samford University, was very frustrated when knew his spring season had been cancelled and he had
been working hard to make this his best season yet. He now feels this has allowed his trust in God to
increase, and He knows that “God has a bigger and better plan for us all.”
We believe this virus and the quarantine have definitely shown us that we are not in control. They have
also shown us that we serve a God who is in control! Coach Sample talked about how his pastors at
Harvest Church expressed that “events like this can push you closer to God and your faith, or they can
take you farther away from Him.” Our hope is that your faith in Christ is strengthened at this time, and if
you do not know Him, our prayer is that you will find out who He is and realize He loves you very much!
Clae Mathis said it best when he said, “this season was taken from all of us in a matter of days, but our
relationship with Jesus is forever.”
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
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