Mirai Nagasu: She Didn’t Quit


I enjoy the Olympics. I must admit that sometimes I don’t enjoy the stories. NBC loves to spend as much time telling us people’s stories as they do showing us events. Usually I just want to see the competition. That was different yesterday.

Yesterday, Mirai Nagasu, was spectacular. She became the third woman, and the first American, to ever land a triple axel in the Olympics. Up until yesterday I thought a triple axel was a type of tractor trailer truck driven by a bearded, tattooed man, wearing a jean vest with cutoff sleeves. Turns out it’s also something figure skaters do by leaping so high in the air it’s absolutely ridiculous while spinning at a high rate of speed. Nagasu jumped off one skate, spun 3 1/2 times in the air in less then one second, and then landed on her other skate. If you’re like me you’re already wondering why it’s not called a triple and a half axel, but who can understand the ways of an Olympic Committee that banned Russia yet let them compete under a secret name no one could recognize? (Olympic Athletes from Russia: very sneaky)


If that was all that happened it would be a great story. It’s not. Nagasu was in the Olympics 8 years ago...but not 4. That’s right, 8 years ago she represented the United States in Vancouver, but 4 years ago she didn’t make the cut in Sochi. Now she’s back, and has done what no American woman has ever done.

She didn’t quit.

Olympic careers are short, but Nagasu kept working and got better. Today she has a Bronze medal around her neck for team competition, and isn’t finished yet.

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” II Chronicles 15:7

Somewhere along the way you and I will also be told we don’t have what it takes. Someone’s going to tell us we’re not good enough. Tragically, someone may walk out on you, someone may fire you, someone may tell you you’re not good enough. That’s what happened to Mirai Nagasu. She didn’t believe them. Let’s make sure we don’t as well.

Thanks Mirai! You inspire us.

Following the Son,

James A Williams

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