CULLMAN, Ala. — Cullman’s Bentlie Bullard is a freshman at Cullman High School this year and in this interview, she discusses her relationship with God and the support she’s received from friends, family, teammates and coaches.
“I was raised in church, and my mom and coach Ashley Wilbanks pray for me for everything. I found out two years ago that I have the same genetic disease as my mom and sister (OTC Deficiency), so I’m limited on protein. I was so scared, because my little sister was hospitalized so many times with liver failure. My mom prayed so hard and so did my coach and my cheer family. I went from being so scared to knowing and feeling that it would be okay. I don’t think I could be the athlete I am without truly knowing that God’s got me. He loves me, so I’m not afraid.”
Bentlie shared her favorite Bible verses, and she feels so blessed to have helped so many people, especially kids, find God. Helping in the community is important to her as well.
“My favorite Bible verses are Isaiah 40:31, because God gives me strength, Isaiah 41:10, because with God, I’m not afraid, Deuteronomy 31:6, because I know that God will direct me on the path that I’m supposed to be on, and Philippians 4:13, because I can do all things through Christ,” she said. “It’s very important, which is why I always try to include everyone, even if we’re not friends, or if we are, because I don’t want them to feel alone. Our cheer team always does a community project, and I got to help paint and organize a local charity one time for kids. Doing all of that was a very eye-opening experience for me, because I realized that I’m a little spoiled. I’m sure that some of my team did too. I try to be more aware of kids who don’t have things, and I give my stuff away sometimes. I’ve also been known to give my cash away sometimes. I’ve learned that it feels better to give than to receive.”
She wants to be a Godly role model for the people around her and talked about a couple of important role models she looks up to in her own life.
“I feel like if I can help anybody by showing them love, then I feel like maybe I’m doing a little of what Jesus wants me to do. I feel like kids do look up to me, so I’m very protective and caring for the little ones. My mom said that I’ve always been a little mama. My coach told me that I need to lead by example. Maybe my example will let another kid know Jesus,” she said. “My two Godly role models are my mom and coach Wilbanks. My mom taught me my bedtime prayer at an early age, but she and coach Wilbanks also taught me to stand up for myself and for Jesus.”
She talked about some of the traditions she shares with her cheer team at competitions and practices as well.
“We all pray together before every competition with our coaches. Our coaches give us Bible verses to put in our shoes to stand on the word of God. We also pray after every practice. At the competitions, we get a different Bible verse, and it’s always about not fearing,” she said. “I’m dealing with the rare genetic disease that I have right now, so I know what it feels like. I can always relate to other kids. It makes me sad that I have to experience some issues right now, so I know that they feel that way too. I try to make people smile. It helps to forget the pain, so I hope it makes them forget for a minute too. I feel good that God gives me the attitude to brush it off and make others feel better, and it makes me feel better to help them.”
Bentlie gave some advice to those people that want a relationship with God but don’t quite know how to do that. She has learned a lot on her own journey that helps her every day.
“Come to Daystar and just listen. I promise that you will feel Him too,” she said. “Trust God, and don’t worry. It’ll all be okay.”
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