Don’t Waste Your Sports: Erin Frye

I have had the privilege of getting to know Erin Frye over the last few years who lives in the NW United States. Through family that we have in the Seattle area, Frye has become a part of our lives both as a friend and sister in Christ.

Recently, Erin and 18-year old athlete who lives in Arlington, WA, made a decision that is worth learning from. As a soccer player who has given 18 years of her life to the sport, her example of Christ-likeness is a story worth telling. I interviewed Erin so that we can all hear her tell her story and I pray you find her words as encouraging and a blessing as I have. Here is our interview.

CHARLES: What were the circumstances that led you to begin playing soccer?

ERIN: I believe that a large catalyst in my starting a soccer “career” was the fact that my brother played soccer. As every little sister does, I wanted to do everything my big brother was doing. As I got a little older, though, I began to realize that I really enjoyed the sport and the people I got to meet through it. By high school, not only was it about enjoyment, but also the competitiveness, the physicality, the skill, and the passion that it requires. I honestly cannot put into words my passion for the sport.

CHARLES: What lessons has playing soccer taught you?

ERIN: Playing soccer has taught me many things. First, it has taught me how to resolve conflict. My last team was a twenty-one player roster composed entirely of eighteen and nineteen year-old girls. . . Need I say more? CONFLICT RESOLUTION.

Second, it has taught me how valuable fellowship with the body of Christ is. Typically, I am the only believer on my team. At the end of a long week of practices and games, being around other believers in my church body is an extreme encouragement.

Third, it has taught me that, as a believer, you must establish your testimony firmly among pagans. If they sense any weakness or chink in your armor, they will dig and dig at it in order to try to make you fall. They may respect that you have a faith and belief system that you are not willing to compromise, but they ultimately want to see you mess up. It makes them feel better about themselves. Soccer has taught me many other things, but these three are particularly on my heart right now.

CHARLES: Recently, you gave up playing on a collegiate soccer team. Explain the circumstances behind that decision.

ERIN: I gave up a position on my soccer team at Edmonds Community College. We were half way through the season and in first place, and I was getting a lot of playing time, but the environment was terrible. Drugs, drinking, immorality, and homosexuality were rampant. I loved the soccer and the coaching staff, and I had some amazing friends on the team, but for a large part of the roster, soccer was secondary to partying on the weekends. It was possibly the hardest decision I have ever had to make, stepping off of the team, but it was the right one. Being around the team was detrimental to my spiritual health, and I felt that in order to be completely right in my relationship with God, I needed to separate myself from the situation I was in.

CHARLES: Are you happy with the decision you made?

ERIN: I did not want to quit, but I have peace with my decision, and I know that it was right. I felt that the Lord was calling me to step away from this team.

CHARLES: What has God taught you through this recent experience?

ERIN: He has taught me that often times, what you want to do is not necessarily what is right to do or what you should do. Also, He has taught me that you can never establish your testimony strong enough. It does not suffice to merely say that you are Christian. You must live it out in every single, tiny little thing that you do, even if whatever you are doing seems insignificant. As I already said, the world is just waiting for you to fail. Lastly, He has taught me that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are WAY better, even if you cannot always see it right away.

CHARLES: Will you play competitive soccer again? Why or why not?

ERIN: I do hope to play competitive soccer again! In fact, I am flying down to visit Oklahoma Baptist University this week. Part of my visit will be to meet with the head coach and practice with the team. No guarantees, but I figure that If God wants me to keep playing, He will open up an opportunity for me.

Erin Frye is not wasting her sports by giving up her testimony. Learn from her and be a better athlete or fan as a result.