For those

who don’t know I received my undergraduate degrees from THE University of Georgia. So needless to say, I’m a really big Georgia fan. Like….a HUGE one. So the news the Bulldawg Nation received yesterday was really bittersweet.

When I heard Coach Richt and Georgia were parting ways, I was…sad, with a happy aftertaste. While I am terribly sad to him go, this moment reminded me that God has a plan for us all and if we trust in Him, the legacy we leave behind in His name will be rock solid. Under his direction, Georgia has lost 13 games in the last 4 seasons (only one SEC team has fewer losses and that’s Alabama). Since 2002, no coach has had more players drafted into the NFL than Mark Richt. But football aside, Coach Richt has built a legacy rooted in faith and integrity. He’s been transforming lives, elevating minds, surrendering to God and overall winning at the game of life at Georgia for 15 years now and regardless of the fact that we as a community wanted him to stay, the simple truth is, you can’t mess with God’s will and it was time for him to go. His time table for our professional or personal lives will never line up with ours and honestly, I’d never want it to. But the one thing we can do is line our lives up with His.

In his press conference, Coach Richt said it best. He said:

“Lord, whatever your will is… that’s what I want to do.”

“I’m really at peace that it was part of His plan.”

See that’s the legacy Coach Richt leaves us with. It’s not just about the football, it’s not about the accolades. It’s about  who he is at his core. It’s about him moving when God tells him to. It’s about submitting to the assignment He has predestined him for. That’s the kind of legacy I want to leave. One rooted in unwavering faith and love. A legacy where the God in me is evident and the talents He has given me gives him ALL the glory. I hope to transform lives and somehow contribute to the bettering of many communities around the world. I seriously want God to use all of me in every way possible. What about you?

You don’t have to be a football coach. You don’t have to be a photographer or a business owner. You don’t have to be on the world’s stage in order to change lives or leave a rock-solid legacy. All you have to do is surrender and give Him your undivided attention so that He can use you in ways you couldn’t have even imagined.

As we kick off this week, I pray that each and every one of us begins or continues down our own God-given path of leaving a legacy that God will be proud of. I pray that no matter what comes your way this week that you will forever be “at peace that it is a part of His plan.”

Thank you Coach Richt for impacting the lives of so many…including mine. I along with the entire Bulldawg Nation salute you.

**photo by: Mr. Michael Carvell**