PSALM 31:15

The NBA combine came around in May and not only was I excited to be going to my first NBA combine but it was also the time of year when all NBA athletic trainers get together for meetings and social gatherings. I was going to have the opportunity to both network with the people I had looked up to from a distance all my career, but also the opportunity to meet with the team that inquired about me joining their staff. I caught up with many people, made new connections and overall enjoyed my time at the combine and meetings. I thought that after the conference I would hear from that organization about formally interviewing for the position. God had other plans for me. My strength and conditioning coach was also applying for a role within the organization, and he got offered to have an interview on zoom. I could have been bitter that I did not hear anything, but I was not. I told him that I was happy for him and that what God had for him was for him and regardless it was going to happen on his time. A few days go by, and I finally received an email that I was no longer a candidate for the position. No matter how impossible the situation appears, how there appears to be no answer, no hope, God will see you through because He and He alone has the final say. I was placing a period where God put a comma. As I have mentioned before when things don’t go how I hoped they would, I was disappointed but not discouraged. I was still in a great position in a great organization where I could grow as an athletic trainer. God wasn’t telling me no; He was telling me not yet. I know God is for me, but sometimes it’s hard to believe that He is working things out for me when I can’t see. But He is surer than the ground I stand on. I trust Him even when I can’t see the full plan, even when things seem to make no sense. I know He is in control so why do I doubt when He has promised to never leave nor forsake me. I have learned that I cannot control what life may bring, but I have full control over how I respond.

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The NBA summer league was right around the corner, and I received the opportunity to be the head athletic trainer for the summer league team. I embraced that opportunity like no other because the year prior, I was at summer league interviewing for a job. I wear a wristband as a reminder that says, “Prayed For This”. The summer league was coming to an end and on the last few days, I received a text message from the same organization that said they moved on in their search asking if I was still interested in the position. I immediately told myself that what God has for me is for me and no one can take that away from me. It’s a guarantee what He has for me! I won’t let go of His promise. I returned to Milwaukee after summer league and fast forward, I am on a flight to a city I never been to before to interview for the job that I have always wanted. My goal I set out for myself when I decided I wanted to be an athletic trainer 10 years ago. I felt the interview went well and found out I was one of two candidates for the position. I had to wait a few days to find out if I got the position. In the meantime, I decided to update my website. I was super anxious about wanting to know if I would be moving, if I landed the job, etc. All these emotions and high hopes running through my mind, it was hard to sleep at night, hard to focus at work. I decided to let go and let God. For there was nothing left for me to do. I finally came to peace with myself that God’s will would be done regardless of the outcome. If that is where He wanted me to be, then I would be there. If not, then there was something better for me. Regardless I am going to see a victory, for the battle belongs to Him. 

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The following Sunday after my interview, the day before I was told I was going to hear something about the position, the holy spirt told me to go to a local church in Milwaukee I had previously tried. On that Sunday, I cried maybe four to five times throughout the day. From worship at church, to the guest preacher, to watching my favorite movie 'Overcomer' that night. Tears were just flowing from my eyes. The Holy Spirit was moving.

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I am delighted that God’s plan for me was to get the job. He is a promise keeper. His word has never failed. He knew the ending before the beginning. He had worked all things out for my good. Micah Smith is now officially the assistant athletic trainer for the Portland Trailblazers. The third assistant athletic trainer in the history of the franchise and the first African American. I published this on my website before I even got the call and offer for the job because I could feel God moving in my life. I received that call Monday afternoon and my heart dropped when I saw the incoming call. The conversation was going as if I was getting let down easy. When in actuality I was getting the call I had worked my entire life to get. I dropped everything in my hands, fell to the floor, and the only thing that I could get to come out of my mouth was thank you Jesus, and oh my gosh thank you Jesus! He is so intentional in what He does. I look back to 3 years ago, where I was working at a middle depressed every day. 2 years ago I was working at dollar tree. But God was playing chess while I was thinking simple minded. Maneuvering and placing people in my life for a purpose. For all things work together for good!