Bucking Trends and The Birthplace of Grit

A summer campfire.

That’s what I looked upon as I listened to our youth camp leader call out select members of my fellow campers. These campers had competed the entire week in every sport imaginable. Basketball, baseball, kickball, and other games I am sure the camp just made up.

As I listened to the names be called out, I was struggling to get excited.

I was hardly 4’5’’ tall. I loved watching and playing sports, being able to compete was just not in the cards for me.

The night ended with one last award.

The “True Grit Award”

The youth camp leader explained that it was for the person who displayed the most grit and determination throughout the week. The camper who showed up for every competition possible whether they could compete or not.

After the explanation was over, he uttered something I didn’t expect.

“Kris Hammons!”

I stood there frozen, not believing what I had just heard. Before I knew it, the entire camp was looking at me, waiting for me to accept my award.

In that moment, I learned a new meaning of the word grit that also began a years long journey of putting words to the life I have lived.

A life that started on April 12, 1983 in Dallas, Texas.

Doctors quickly discovered that I had dwarfism and warned my parents of the challenges I would face.

So much or everything being bigger in Texas.

Bucking trends would become a theme in my life.

After several near death experiences and numerous surgeries, there I was at a summer youth camp showing up and participating even if I couldn’t compete.

I spent much of that award ceremony feeling sorry for myself, until I realized this …

Showing up despite being unable to compete was not a limitation.

It was leverage.

You might be facing something hard this week.

Maybe you’re tired while feeling like everyone but you is winning.

Keep showing up.
Keep participating.
Keep competing, even when you don’t feel competitive.

Keep using what God has given you instead of being frustrated for what He’s not.

Because that’s where grit starts.