Slipping into Grace
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I slowly lowered myself down to my bed, my ribs aching and body tired from the day. I took in the sounds of Hawaii outside my open window—geckos communicating back and forth, the slight breeze rustling through the mango tree in our front yard. Sighing deeply, I realized my utter need for God in that moment. I was hurt, both physically and mentally, and I was tired of relying on my own strength to navigate this crushingly difficult season of life.
Reaching for my phone, I decided I needed to look up some scripture. Something—anything—from God. Racking my brain, I knew that Psalm 37 was a popular chapter, so I started looking it up. My fingers slipped a little, and I ended up typing in “Psalm 73” to Google instead of “Psalm 37”. I didn’t know at all what this Psalm was about, but I decided to go ahead and read it and see what God had for me.
After just the second verse, I could see that God hadn’t led me here by accident. I laughed out loud, in disbelief of the words He had put before me. It read, “Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”
One month before this night was both the worst day and the best day of my life. A week before my senior beach volleyball season at University of Hawaii, I decided to go on a hike with some friends. I slipped and fell off a 50 feet waterfall on the hike and had to get air lifted out. The damage? Ten broken ribs, a collapsed lung, a fractured scapula, a few scrapes and bruises, and an instant end to my season before it even began. I was utterly devastated. I had put in incredible amounts of hard work to get to be on our top team for the season, playing with the best girl on the team. And now the hopes and dreams of winning a National Championship that year slipped out of sight with me down that waterfall.
The weeks following were painful, heart-wrenching, and difficult. I had surgery to get my ribs plated because they were so out of place. The five plates and about 60 screws held my ribs together so that my lung capacity wasn’t affected. I knew that I still had a chance to play volleyball again after this, but I also knew the road ahead to recovery was going to be a long one.
When God brought me Psalm 73, he instantly caught my attention. How in the world could I land on a Psalm talking about feet slipping just a month after I had slipped and fallen off a 50 feet waterfall?! I knew I needed to heed the following words of the Psalm.
Psalm 73 goes on to talk about how we envy people in our lives who we see as successful. They have fame and fortune, and what do we have compared to them? It seems like we just can’t catch up. We crave the success they have and desire that as well.
But what we don’t realize is that these people don’t have Jesus in their lives. They may have worldly success, but without knowledge of our Lord and Savior, what good is it? We create these idols in our lives that take precedent over what’s really important: surrendering our lives completely to a God who has given us every last thing we need. He loves us so much and desires a deep, lasting, personal relationship with us. Sadly, because of our sinful nature, we choose to put worldly ventures ahead of Him in everyday life.
I finally realized that volleyball had been an idol in my life. It consumed my thoughts and controlled my emotions. And with a sincere heart, I asked God for forgiveness and begged him to take the place of volleyball as the center of my life. Because of this devastating accident, I chose to put my faith and trust in the only One who could guide me through the pain and heartache.
Psalm 73 finishes with these words: “But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all of your deeds.”
The calling God has placed on my life is to tell the world what He has done for me and how He can save anyone’s life just as He did mine. Miraculously, because of God’s grace, I am still playing volleyball—and with no pain at all!
I want you to know He loves you and desires a relationship with you.
Will you choose to love Him back?
Heather Friesen
Hey, guys! I am a professional beach volleyball player living out my dreams in Southern California. I played indoor volleyball at Western Kentucky University and beach volleyball at The University of Hawaii. Both were amazing and unique experiences! I've been married to my husband and awesome man of God Isaac for almost two years now. Above all, I know my identity is placed in Christ. It is my goal to tell as many people as I can about Jesus through the sport of volleyball, because that's where God has placed me!