Today is Wednesday, August 29th, 2012; Karen's Korner #2393
This is the first year that Clarion-Goldfield graduate Knuton Severson is attending Iowa State University. He is fine young man from a fine rural family. He is a better-than-average athlete who enjoyed baseball, football and wrestling while he was in our local school. He was an outstanding leader and a hard worker. Always believed that 'good things' were going to happen to each team in which he was participating.
The taller-than-six-foot Severson was an avid wrestler, being on the high school team as one of the heavier weights, as a freshman. He lost much more often than he won his first year.
Between his freshman and sophomore year, his mom, Knuton, and a number of others of us were on a short-term mission trip to Minneapolis. I had the opportunity to ask the budding athlete his assessment of the wrestling team's chances for the coming season. "Great," said the bright-eyed young man of his team and coaches, "we might be able to get six or seven us to state this coming year!" I loved his enthusiasm; he included himself on the list.
I watched him wrestle the next season; he won about half of his matches. The team didn't do as well as Severson envisioned either.
But that didn't dissuade this young athlete. There was another year coming!
Knuton made it to the state tournament as a junior; took another bigger group of his teammates with him to the state tournament in his senior year, as they were on the hunt for the top spot in the state in our school size.
Same thing in football........our team had the opportunity to make it to the state playoffs. "We are going to be good this year," Severson had said. They had a better-than-average season in baseball, a favorite sport of Knuton. The Clarion Cowboys had the fun of knocking off a state ranked team in the semi-finals, and lost by a couple of runs in their quest to make it to the state baseball tourney.
So now comes Iowa State; Knuton wasn't recruited by any team to play college football this year. He decided to 'walk-on' with another forty-plus talented young athletes at his new school. Only ten would make the cut.
He was hopeful.....worked hard.....listened......learned.
Last weekend the Cyclones made their decision, Knuton would be on their team for the 2012 year!
He is and was a 'never-give-up' guy! Seems like 'can't' isn't in his head's dictionary!
He is an example for all of us.
God tells to remember that "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!" (Philippians 4:13).
Whether we 'make the team', 'defeat our foes', or 'win the game', God helps us to WIN in all things through His Strength. Not ours!!
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