Dear Parents
Letters and Speeches from a Christian Coach to Families
by
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One thing we talked about last week was the importance of integrity. I shared with your children the story of Jerry Mita who returned over $2,450,000 to the state of Utah, when they mistakenly input most of his social security number into the amount owed instead of the $15 he was supposed to get. (By the way, nobody from any of the groups correctly guessed what Jerry did with the money—although one child said “he invested the money, doubled it, and then returned the $2 million.”)
In swimming, it is vital that we do the right thing all of the time even when coach isn’t looking, because it helps us form good habits. Also, our teammates are counting on us to have done everything possible to prepare for races and relays. What you do in practice is what you will do in a meet.
This is true of life, as well. Who you are when you don’t think anyone is watching is who you REALLY are. God is always watching and knows your heart. He often uses life’s circumstances to reveal our character to ourselves. He does this using both prosperity and adversity.
Oddly enough, it seems that we fail the test of prosperity more than the test of adversity. We grow through our struggles but stagnate in our blessings. We focus on doing the right thing more when situations are difficult than when they are abundant. I think it is because we confuse God’s test for a reward when prosperity comes, and we try to get rewarded by “being good” when adversity comes.
We forget that, ultimately, the reward for doing the right thing is having done it. Every other good thing we get is just grace.
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About the Book
You hold in your hands five years of coaching that has already changed hundreds of lives. Dear Parents will challenge the way you think about youth sports, your relationship with your children, and what God has planned for your life.
This is not another cheesy self-help book or an unbiblical prosperity-gospel message. Instead, Coach Matt Wunderlin has compiled his letters and speeches to motivate you to pursue your potential, without losing sight of what is most important—the glory of God.
By dissecting quotes, examples, and even his own thought process, Coach Matt will lead you through why some fail and others succeed, all the while maintaining a Christian perspective, in contrast with other works in which that perspective is often shallow or completely lacking.
Be prepared to think deeply, while being entertained, by over one hundred letters and speeches from this unique coach whose passion for children and the glory of God shines through on every page.
About the Author
Matthew Wunderlin served as the head coach of the Waunakee Orcas of Wisconsin swim team from 2006 to 2011. While there, he was published in American Swimming Magazine and the NISCA Journal. He has spoken across the country on the parent–coach relationship, diversity, and swimming technique. As a parent of three swimmers, he is passionate about youth sports in America. Matt currently resides with his family in Wisconsin, serving in the Air National Guard as a public affairs officer.