You don’t understand how special and important something is until it’s taken away. I bet many of you have heard something similar to this at least once in your life, but it’s true.

Volleyball tryouts came and I was ready for the season to start. Going into my junior year, I was ecstatic to finally be able to play at the varsity level. I knew in my mind I wasn’t going to play much because, I’ll admit, I wasn't the best on the team, but I had the heart and drive that made me coachable and, all around, a better teammate.

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“Judgement Day”, as I like to call the final day of tryouts, had finally arrived and left me in an anxious anticipation. I didn’t know if I was going to make the team. Self-doubt is the price you pay, but it helps me prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

You’re not good enough.

Those four words are the hardest to hear, especially when it comes to something that you absolutely love and are incredibly passionate about. I didn’t make the cut and needless to say I was devastated. I thank God that I kept my composure with the coaches because as soon as I left the office, I was a hot mess.

I couldn’t believe that God would allow something like this to happen to me. I know, how petty of me to think that with the multitude of things that are far worse in the world; but volleyball is the one thing that means the world to me. Why would God take the one thing that I love away?

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Let’s be real for a moment. God is extremely good at His job. He’s good at taking away, but He’s even better at giving.

I didn’t realize until a year later that God truly works in mysterious ways. He brought me to my lowest of lows to bring me to my highest of highs. He has shown and led me to this amazing path and career of coaching.

I may not have been good enough to play, but I was good enough to lead, inspire and teach my players the love of the game. I wasn’t mean to be a part of the team as a player, it was time for my jersey to retire and replace it with a clipboard. I was meant to coach. I found a new love and passion for helping others find their own passion in life.

I wasn’t happy with the coach that told me that I wasn’t good enough, but I thank God that she did. It prepared me for what was to come and brought me amazing opportunities that I never would have even imagined.

So here’s to all those who weren’t good enough for a team, club, organization or job. In my eyes, you are all amazingly beautiful people who will go far. There’s a reason for everything and just know that something good will come out of the bad, just believe.