Olympian Strives to be the Best -- for God
by Doug Greengard
March 5, 2004
(AgapePress) - During her college days as a three-time All-American at the University of Arizona, Leah O'Brien-Amico was, by softball standards, a "can't miss." She batted an amazing .428 and helped lead the Wildcats to three NCAA Championships. When it came, however, to having a serious commitment to living her life for Christ, O'Brien-Amico swung -- and missed."I used to think I was a Christian and I went through the motions," says O'Brien-Amico. "I would pray, but I never saw anything happen in my life. As I truly, truly trusted in Jesus Christ and said, 'Lord, I want You to take control of my entire life,' I have seen Him work in my life as well as the lives of others."
That commitment came when she accepted an invitation to an on-campus Bible study. Since then, O'Brien-Amico's life has changed dramatically. Now, seven years removed from college, she is the starter at first base for the United States Women's Olympic Softball Team. This August in Athens, Greece, she will be looking to earn her third Olympic gold medal. All this while maintaining her marriage to husband Tommy and mothering her two-year old son, Jake.
"I definitely have my days when I say, 'There's just no way I can do this,'" adds O'Brien-Amico. "I look at the challenging schedule that I have for this year's Olympic year and the commitments that we have: the training, the time in the weight room, the running and all the others things. Also, to be the best wife and mother I can be, I know that I have to keep trusting in Jesus and He will allow it all to work out with my son and my husband. They are my support group as I go into the Olympic games."
O'Brien-Amico is excited about the opportunity to help the team win a third-straight Olympic gold medal. More than that, she knows that God has positioned her to share His awesome plan for our lives with others around her.
"I see Him moving in hearts right now," says O'Brien-Amico. "I see people asking a lot of questions and I think it's helping me to grow as well so I can come to them with answers. I see people wanting to know more about Jesus.
"Each day, when I go out there with my teammates, I want to be the best on the field -- and I'm constantly reminded that I have to keep trusting in Jesus or it's not going to work out the right way."
With that perspective, O'Brien-Amico is hitting a grand slam for Jesus.
Doug Greengard directs Christian Sports Minute, a ministry that uses the testimonies of sports and well-known sports figures as a vehicle to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Doug is available to provide an inspiring, faith-filled message to your church, men's group, youth, or business.
