Rosanna Tomiuk is a member of the Canadian Women’s Water Polo Team, a singer/songwriter, entrepreneur and communicator. She is passionate about the business of inspiration: through writing, speaking and singing, she loves helping people realize that living their best lives is possible with a bit of hard work. Rosanna also loves to shop organic and vintage.
How does a world class athlete make time to pray?Rosanna Tomiuk - 25 May 2011
How does Rosanna Tomiuk, sister of 24-7 Prayer Canada’s, Daria Nardozza, have time to pray with her busy schedule? Part of Canada’s Olympic women’s water polo team, entrepreneur and a singer/songwriter, this is how she describes carving out time with God each morning…
It's 6am, my alarm rings, and I'm up. I'm not distraught or exhausted. I'm mostly excited because before me lies over an hour to eat breakfast, pray and do my Bible study before I leave for practice.
While the world still sleeps.
This is the secret place. This is the quiet place. This is the time that I feel the least resistance against the messy array of dreams I have for my life.
I make some coffee, light a candle, and sit on the comfy, blue couch. "Good morning, Papa. How are you? What do you have for me today, Lord?" I work through an inductive Bible study and grab hold of a lesson that ends up enveloping my thoughts throughout my commute to the pool.
Lately, however, the couch hasn't been enough. I retreat back to my room, close the door, throw a sweater on the floor by my bed and kneel to pray. I pray out loud, partly to avoid an aimless thought pattern, but also because it simply feels more powerful.
I kneel by my bed because I believe, perhaps now more than ever, that I cannot do anything on my own. The story that is writing itself with my life is so beyond me that I might finally be desperate for God.
And I confess I am somewhat afraid. "Am I making a mistake, Papa? Am I setting myself up for failure? But it feels right...if I can manage my time well...Help me manage my time, Lord. What are You doing with me? It's exciting and overwhelming! But take away whatever You need to take away. I want Your story, not my own."
And then I repeat that, “I want Your story, not my own..."
I rise from prayer and scurry out the door. Another day is before me.
Something about the time I spent before God gives me confidence and purpose. I realize that no matter how life unfolds, I know God! That's what matters. He teaches me and reshapes my perspective as I pursue dreams as a part of the human experience. I wouldn't have it any other way.