The influence of a coach—or any leader, whether a teacher, parent, or mentor—can be profound and lasting. Many years ago, I came across a poster that left a permanent impression on me. Although I don’t remember the exact words, the image has stayed with me: a river flowing down an incline, stretching for hundreds of yards. The water cascaded, swirled, and eddied, and over time, the rocks in its path had been smoothed, shaped by the constant flow of water.

Can you pour water from a cup onto a rock and expect it to change instantly? Of course not. But over time, the steady, consistent pressure of the water can wear away the rough edges of the rock, smoothing it into something new. This, I believe, is what “steadfast love” looks like. Just as water shapes stone, we, too, can influence and mold the lives of those we coach, teach, and lead.

Perhaps you’re a coach, a camp counselor, a team captain, or someone with a leadership role in any context. One thing is clear: consistency matters. Like the river’s continuous flow, we must be relentless in our care and guidance. This kind of influence isn’t a one-time event—it’s daily, persistent, and steady.

But here’s the challenge: we’re not as consistent as that river. We miss opportunities, we falter, and we sometimes fail. When that happens, we need to ask God for His mercy to redeem the times we’ve fallen short. We may not always be the perfect model of consistency, but that should be our goal. Every day, we strive to be as steady and purposeful as the water, knowing that God’s grace and mercy will fill the gaps where we fall short.

Servanthood and humility are crucial to this process. As we seek to be our best in serving God and others, we must remember that it’s not about us—it’s about those we lead. Let us embody the same constant, steadfast love that God shows us.

In sports, it can be easy to get caught up in the pursuit of victory and forget about the deeper calling we have as coaches and mentors. Winning is important, but it should never overshadow the opportunity to influence and shape the character of those we are entrusted with. The true measure of success lies in the lives we impact, the values we instill, and the hearts we mold.

Looking back on our own lives, it’s often the quiet, consistent influence of others that has shaped us. We recognize that it wasn’t a single moment or dramatic change, but rather the steady presence of someone who cared, who showed up day after day with love and encouragement. It is this consistency, this “steadfast love,” that has molded us into who we are today.

So, the next time you think about the work you’re doing, imagine that cascading slope of water. Visualize the way it steadily shapes the rocks, transforming them from rough, jagged edges to smooth, polished surfaces. In the same way, your life and influence can be a steady flow of love, care, and guidance that shapes the lives of those around you, even when you don’t see the immediate results.