Seniors: Simon Hurst

Over the next couple of days, I will post the words that I spoke about the seniors on Senior Night this Monday. We'll start with Simon Hurst!

Simon, our “beast” or the “man-bun” as my brother’s team, Western, called him this year. Who would have guessed 7 years ago when I had a talk with middle school students about tennis that Simon would be what he is today?

And who is he? Well, he has been dedicated. Opening up the courts this summer, getting to lessons, playing in our summer league, helping with Bright Times. And that dedication has led to dominance. Simon is one of the best players, especially in doubles, to play at Bethany Christian. No matter what happens the rest of this season, he and Brandon will have either the best or second best doubles record in Bruin history.

But for as dominant as he’s been in doubles, Simon has also struggled with doubt. Doubting his talent, his joy, his place. But that’s where the real strength of his character has come through. He has been honest. And he has pushed forward with goodness. Simon always believes in his teammates, always comes to them with goodness, no matter what he may be struggling through. In the end, he wants the truth and he believes the truth will be good news.

Tennis is a gift and the best times of has made it look that way - laughing, smashing overheads and returns, having fun with his partner. I’ll certainly remember his tournament with Brandon this weekend and the amazing display they put on. And I’ll always remember the Sectional championship, when he and Hans were down 2-5 and they were on the court laughing. In the darkest times, Simon’s heart is always full of desire for good.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.