I came from a religious family, but it wasn’t until college that I really started to come to my faith in Jesus Christ. I lived with some roommates who were Christians and met my now-husband, who’s also a Christian, and we would go to church together and do Bible studies. I really learned more about God and about Jesus in college, which helped me become stronger in my faith.
Because of my faith, I would say that there’s a much greater peace in my life now. I know God has a plan for me, and every time I struggle with not making the roster or not being in the starting lineup, I have faith that this is exactly where I’m supposed to be. I’m putting all my talents out there, I’m giving it my best effort, and that’s all that God wants from me. He’s going to put me in the right place, and He’s going to direct me in the right path. I find a lot of comfort in that.
I think that my faith in God tends to be strongest in tough times. There are practices where you don’t play well. There are meetings that don’t go well with the coaches, and in those difficult times when you’re judged or criticized or picked apart, God is there. I think that my faith has really taught me to think, “It’s going to be okay.” That it’s okay to go through difficult times.
I hope the way I approach my sport is connected to my faith. I’m a spiritual and faithful person, and I want people to know that about me. If they can get a glimpse of my faith through soccer, or through something that they see me doing, then that’s great.
Written by Amy Rodriguez
