Ivan Arreguín-Toft recently looked at every war fought in the past two hundred years between strong and weak combatants. The Goliaths, he found, won in 71.5 per cent of the cases. Analyizing conflicts where one side was 10 times as powerful. In these conflicts, the underdog only won 1/3 of the time. With that said, David‘s victory over Goliath was an anomaly. David puts on his coat of armor, picks up his sword, etc. began walking around and then realized he can’t fight Goliath this way because he was not used to the armor or the choice of weapon. Even though all the others who faced Goliath utilized such and that was how most conflicts were fought back then. Nonetheless, he shrugged off the norm, picked up his 5 smooth stones and his slingshot and knocked out Goliath. What happened, Arreguín-Toft wondered, when the underdogs likewise acknowledged their weakness and chose an unconventional strategy? He went back and re-analyzed his data. In those cases, David’s winning percentage went from 28.5 to 63.6. When underdogs choose not to play by Goliath’s rules, they win, Arreguín-Toft concluded, “even when everything we think we know about power says they shouldn’t.”
This was taken from an article I read in The New Yorker Magazine May 2009.
Whether it’s your five smooth stones, a full court press, or your own strategy, face your Goliath on your own terms that your familiar and comfortable with, ask God for his help, then go get em!
Sarah…this is for you! Win this for you and your children. You can do this! Single mothers protecting their children from abusers should not have to suffer.
Running for Life 
Awesome! Thanks so much for thinking of me Anne. Without having to go through this, I wouldn’t have grown into the person I am. I am proud to be a survivor and more proud to go out and make a difference based upon my experience. As you know, better than me, life has it’s fair share of struggles but it’s how we deal with them that makes all the difference! Thankful to have you in my life. I have spent a fair amount of time reflecting on the fun times we shared together since I was a little girl. My COOL aunt Anne, I look up to you in so many ways. I remember never feeling more special as when you took me to get done up for my 8th grade graduation, from my hair, to my outfit, to my nails. I felt beautiful! I remember riding to Clearwater, FL in the back of that “cool” Ford Probe. I didn’t care that the backseat was tiny, I had it to myself and I was with my cool aunt Anne in HER cool sports car! I always had fun with you. You introduced me to the candy peaches at Halmark that I developed an absolute love for on one of our shopping trips. I still find myself browsing through Halmark for those peaches! Not only do I love them, they bring backa memory of a fun time I had with you! Thanks Anne for all your support and for being a special role model for me. Someone I still look up to to this day and want to be like!
Wow Sarah…I was so touched by your comment. Thank you for your kind words. You are special to all of us. Draw strength from that and know that no matter what happens you always have God and your family. No force on earth can change that. Remember all the wonderful times from past and draw strength from those. My favorite memory was when you sang, “9 to 5” for the talent show and we changed the words to fit the “school day.” You blew everyone away. You can not be defeated, you are too strong, you are too special to too many people who support and love you and you have God on your side. He is with you. My favorite song out of our Gathering Hymnals is “Be Not Afraid.” Read those words to yourself over and over again. “I go before you always…come follow me and I will give you rest.”
An individual is trying to hurt you by deceptive and ruthless tactics. His conscience is seared. Keep the Faith…in the end you will win.
Lyrics to “Be Not Afraid”
1.
You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst.
You shall wander far in safety though you do not know the way.
You shall speak your words in foreign lands and all will understand.
You shall see the face of God and live.
R.
Be not afraid.
I go before you always.
Come follow me, and
I will give you rest.
2.
If you pass through raging waters in the sea, you shall not drown.
If you walk amid the burning flames, you shall not be harmed.
If you stand before the pow’r of hell and death is at your side, know that
I am with you through it all.
3.
Blessed are your poor, for the kingdom shall be theirs.
Blest are you that weep and mourn, for one day you shall laugh.
And if wicked men insult and hate you all because of me, blessed, blessed are you!