The Sterling Rose

In early December I was in my "special place" one morning before the family was up.  This is where I read, pray and spend some quiet time – alone   (without the little ones that is).  I usually read through the overnight news on my phone before I get started.  What I read this particular morning has changed my life. 

There was a news story about a football coach’s wife (that got my attention because I am one) in New Albany Mississippi whose life had been tragically taken.  I can honestly say that I don't remember much else about the article.  I began to weep.  I was so filled with emotion I could not get myself together.  Once I did calm down, I thought to myself, Carrie, you are crazy, you don't even know these people!  But I could not help the overwhelming grief I was feeling.  So, I began to pray and ask the Lord why He was allowing me to feel this way about a family I had never even heard of.  The next few weeks were very strange to me because I was grieving over someone I did not know and did not know why. 

I would read the newspaper in North Mississippi every day and learn more about Amanda.  The article that stood out to me the most was the one showing a picture of the outside of the church where her memorial service was held.  There was the football team, in their jerseys, standing so reverently together and obviously grieving.  This is when I knew that she was much more than a fan in the stands, she was an amazing coach's wife.  This is crazy I know, but I wanted to know more about her.  What she was like and how she encouraged her husband, what was her relationship with the other wives and players and students. 

The following Sunday after the accident I was in Sunday School and the teacher asked for prayer requests.  The girl behind me asked for prayer for her best friend - who is also a friend of mine. This friend was a college roommate of Amanda Price.  I could not believe what I was hearing, I about passed out, then began to cry.  I sat numb for a brief moment knowing that someone I knew was that close to this family.  So, the next week the Lord started showing me what He wanted me to do.

I contacted my friend, who was the college roommate of Amanda.  I shared with her what I was going through and asked her if she thought Amanda's family would mind if I went forward with some things that the Lord had shown me the previous week.  She obviously said they would be grateful - and they were. 

So, from that conversation until now, we have started the Mississippi Coaches' Wives Association with a purple rose as the logo.  We will also have an annual wives brunch, named after Amanda - The Sterling Rose Brunch - to be held at the MAC clinic during the summer. 

Before this January I had never heard of a Sterling Rose.  This is Amanda's favorite flower and it is very significant to all of our lives.  As coaches’ wives, so often we have to be strong as sterling yet delicate as a rose.  Amanda's friends and family tell me that she was this way all the time.  It is my prayer that the Lord use me to share how her personal faith in Christ will help us build a legacy much bigger than football and how her life is an example of the “ultimate coach’s wife”.  Be encouraged.