CULLMAN, Ala. – Cold Springs junior Allie Light is so blessed to have God in her life, and knows that she can trust Him with anything thrown her way. Being that kind of role model for the youth in and outside of sports, and school, is one of Allie’s top priorities.
“God means everything to me, because He gives me strength when all I know is weakness. He guides me through every part of my life and gives me hope when all I know is doubt. No matter what challenges I face, I know I can trust Him to help me and lead me in the right direction. He has helped shape the person I am and continues to guide me every day to not only be a better person but a better role model to all my friends and family,” Light said. “Being a role model of Christ to younger kids means I try to show love, kindness, faith, and respect in everything I do each day. I want younger kids to see the light of God through the way I treat others, the way I act, and stay strong in my faith. I will continue to try to get them to trust God, do the right thing, and remember they are loved and valued. Being an example of Christ is important to me, because I know that younger generations look up to others, and I want to positively influence them to grow closer to Christ.
Her favorite Bible verse has changed her life in more ways than one, and she wants people of all ages to have a relationship with God.
“My personal favorite Bible verse is John 13:7: ‘Jesus replied: ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ This Bible verse helps me on the days I can’t help myself. It gives me comfort, because no matter the battles I go through, I know later that I will understand why I’m going through it. This Bible verse also helps me to follow God’s Word by remembering He will always guide me where I need to be on His perfect timing,” Light said. “It means so much to me, because I want my community to grow in Christ and be the best version of ourselves that we could possibly be.”
Allie’s role model is one of her coaches, and a special church camp that she’s been to multiple times has changed not only her life but countless others as well.
“My Godly role model in sports is my assistant coach, who also coached me in middle school, Kinley Nunn. She shows me what a Christ-like life should look like. She shows up every day and shows not only me but everyone around her the fruits of the Spirit,” Light said. “My favorite mission that I’ve taken part in is church camp. At the Daystar Church in Good Hope, our youth goes to a camp in Pisgah, Alabama during the summer called ‘Camp ToKnowHim.’ This church camp really does change lives. God really does move in ways I never knew He could. I’m so thankful for this church and community God has placed around me to model and shape me into the person I’ve become today. The camp changed my life by taking me out of living my normal worldly routine and changed me to live a Godly routine.”
She gave advice to those people that want a relationship with God but might be either struggling or are new. She plays multiple sports, and being around so many great teammates in their respective sport has been life-changing for everyone when it comes to their faith.
“I would advise them that the devil will attack the hardest when your relationship with Christ is the strongest. Stay strong in their faith, and remember that God always has a plan and perfect timing for that perfect plan,” she said. “It means so much just having them by my side. On my worst days, they never fail to remind me the ability that God has given me. The teammate that has made the biggest impact in my life on and off the court is an upcoming sophomore: Kyleigh Graves. Her relationship with Christ is so incredibly inspiring to so many people. I couldn’t imagine doing sports without her or any of my teammates.”
Before competitions, Allie does a special ritual with her teammates, and she’s taken one vital lesson from her walk with God.
“We all pray together and just thank God for the ability He has given us,” she said. “I’ve learned that the most important relationship in my life is my relationship with God. My life does get hard, but it’s never ‘too hard’, because I have God by my side.”
