Lessons This Writer Has Learned From a Young Gymnast

By Pamela S. Meyers

While going through some of the things I've written on my personal blog, I came across this from four years ago when the Olympics were going on like they are now. Like everyone else I was enthralled with Gabby Douglas who was a young teen. I loved her smile and her unabashed way of sharing her faith and giving glory to God for her success. It was a life lesson to me at the time. I'd just had my first book published the previous November after years of book proposals, editor appointments at conferences and enough rejections to paper my bedroom wall I had another book coming out the next spring. It's easy to let things go to your head if you're not careful. 

I had determined when I signed the contract that I would give God all the glory as much as possible in the process of promoting and talking about my book. And hearing Gabby state the same goals encouraged me to stay that same course. 

This year Gabby is a mature young woman, and back at year's Olympics. I haven't seen any interviews featuring her because all eyes are on one of her teammates, Simone Biles, who just killed it on the all-around and won gold. So, I don't know if she is still making this statement or not. I hope so. 


Here's what I wrote four years ago. May it be an encouragement to you.

It's been a long dry and hot summer in the Midwest. Between trying to keep my balcony plants well watered and wincing at the thoughts of my electric bill as the air conditioner churns away, the Olympics this week has brought a welcome respite.

It's awesome to watch the swimmers winning gold, silver and bronze, but the highlight for me so far as been women's gymnastics. I was not familiar with any of the young women on this year's team, but one member stood out to me from the beginning. It could have been her smile that stretches across her face, or the sparkle in her dark eyes, not to mention her uncanny and wonderful gift to fly through the air, twisting and flipping before she nails a near perfect landing every time.

But, wasn't until Gabby Douglas won the gold the other night and she said this in a one-on-one interview right after the medals ceremony, that I knew what attracted me the most to her.

Gabby four years ago at the Olympics

As a recently published author after years of hard work I've been so aware of how much God has been involved in my desire to write, as well as my growth as a writer. It's only been since I totally surrendered the process and my writing career to Him for His glory that things began to happen last year. I've tried various ways of saying this, but a sixteen-year-old girl said better than I ever have.

Congratulations to Gabby Douglas. May you have many years of golden blessings falling down on you!

A native of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, author Pamela S. Meyers lives in suburban Chicago with her two rescue cats. Her novels include Thyme for Love, which has recently been re-released on Amazon and her 1933 historical romance, Love Finds You in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Love is All We Need (the sequel to Thyme for Love) will release in 2016, and Second Chance Love from Bling!, an imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, will release in January 2017. When she isn’t at her laptop writing her latest novel, she can often be found nosing around Wisconsin and other Midwestern spots for new story ideas.