An Unforgettable Speech
I had the privilege of working at ESPN for 13 years, and during that time, I witnessed some incredible moments that transcended sports. One of the most powerful was Jim Valvano—Jimmy V—delivering his unforgettable speech at the 1993 ESPY Awards. Battling cancer, he spoke about what makes a good day:
“Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think, you should spend some time in thought. And number three is you should have your emotions moved to tears. Could be happiness or joy, but think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day.”
He didn’t stop there. He spoke about perseverance, saying, “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.” Those words, coming from a man facing an insurmountable battle, inspired millions.
The Journey of Faith
Jimmy V’s words have stuck with me over the years, and they resonate even more as I reflect on faith. Faith can feel like a journey with its fair share of ups and downs. I’ve been there. There have been seasons where I was all in—daily Mass, the Rosary, the Divine Office—you name it, I was doing it. And then there are times when just getting to Sunday Mass feels like I deserve a gold star.
I know I’m not alone in this. A lot of us have been on this rollercoaster. One minute we’re sheep grazing right next to the Shepherd, and the next, we’re halfway across the pasture wondering how we got there. C.S. Lewis, in The Problem of Pain, had some great thoughts on this. He said the Shepherd doesn’t stop looking for the sheep, even when the sheep are off doing their own thing—probably distracted by something shiny or tasty. It’s a comforting reminder that God doesn’t give up on us, even when we’ve kind of given up on ourselves.
Lent: A Time to Reset
Lent is the perfect time to hit the reset button. Fasting, prayer, and almsgiving aren’t just boxes to tick off; they’re tools to help us refocus. Sure, giving up chocolate or scrolling on your phone might not seem like a big deal, but it’s amazing how these little sacrifices can clear the clutter and make room for God.
Progress, Not Perfection
For me, I’ve learned that faith isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up, even when you don’t feel like it. There have been times I’ve felt distant from God—like a sheep who wandered off and got stuck in a bush. But even then, He’s there, calling me back. Sometimes it’s through a Sunday homily that hits home, or a quiet moment during prayer (when I actually make time for it).
Taking the First Step
Maybe you’re feeling a bit lost right now too. If that’s the case, don’t worry. You are not alone, and the Shepherd hasn’t stopped looking for you. He’s not standing there with a clipboard, judging your every misstep. He’s just glad when you start heading back His way.
So this Lent, take a step—any step—to reconnect. Dust off that holy book, pray a decade of the Rosary, or try to make it to a weekday Mass. It doesn’t have to be perfect. The important thing is to start. And if you stumble, don’t sweat it. Remember, even the sheep who wandered the farthest still gets carried home on the Shepherd’s shoulders.
Let’s Journey Together
Let’s make the journey back together, one small step at a time. And if you need a little humor to keep things light, just remember: if God’s the Shepherd, we’re His sheep, and sheep are notoriously bad at directions. Thankfully, He’s great at finding us.
By Wayne Gignac
Bookmark the link below and visit it often as you observe the wonderful season of Lent!
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NorwichDiocese.org/Lent