On Thursday, September 11, 2008, my Jr. High football team opened our season up against the 3rd ranked team in the state; Pilot Point. The boys knew that Pilot Point would be a hard team to overcome. They are disciplined and well coached. They have been playing together since they could walk. They are all athletic with speed and stamina. They are a good team. And we knew that if we were going to beat them that we would have to be all of that and more.
We practiced hard and worked on our strategy. The coaches relentlessly taught stance and start over and over; working on technique and assignments. They boys ran gassers across the field in blistering heat; I ran with them. I wanted to show the that I am committed to their success. I wanted them to know that I will walk with them through the pain and sacrifice. When they look to their left they will see their team mate. When they look to their right they will see me; struggling and persevering with them.
Thursday arrived with great anticipation. My stomach felt like little salamanders were scurrying in random directions. Ten minutes before the game I had the boys take a knee and we went over the plays we were going to run. We walked onto the field and warmed up. I spoke to them about courage and how it was not by mere coincidence that we were playing our first game on the 7th anniversary of one of the worst tragedies America has endured; 911.
I told them:
"On that day that many Americans were struck in the heart with a dagger of hate, with the poison of grief and fear dripping from its tip. Its affects were numbing at first, as shock made its way through the veins of America; causing our pulse to weaken. At that point we had a choice; lay down and die or stand and fight. It is easy to lay down and die. Fear cripples your mind and body and convinces you that you are weak and unable, and death is certain. America chose to stand and fight. We have chosen to risk all that we have to ensure that our children and grandchildren will have what we have; freedom, liberty, and the opportunity to pursue our dreams. That takes courage and determination. It takes endurance and perseverance. We must not loose heart. We must stay the course and not loose sight of the prize. Tonight, I’m not asking you to lay your life down for your country. I’m not asking you to sacrifice your comforts for the sake of your neighbors. I’m simply asking you to see what is before you. God has given us tonight as a parable; a time of teaching. Look on the past events of September 11, 2001 and learn from them. If we are to be victorious tonight we must stand and fight. We must have courage in the midst of fierce competition, determination in exhaustion, and endurance in the absence of vision."(paraphrase)
After the speech we knelt and prayed. I pleaded with God for Him to help us play to our potential and not beat ourselves. We prayed for safety for all players and broke out with a hardy amen. The young men ran through the tunnel to the excitement of the crowd. I reminded them that champions do not beat themselves and then broke them out onto the field. My team went out ready to play the game of football with some pride..... and hopefully a level head and heart.
We practiced hard and worked on our strategy. The coaches relentlessly taught stance and start over and over; working on technique and assignments. They boys ran gassers across the field in blistering heat; I ran with them. I wanted to show the that I am committed to their success. I wanted them to know that I will walk with them through the pain and sacrifice. When they look to their left they will see their team mate. When they look to their right they will see me; struggling and persevering with them.
Thursday arrived with great anticipation. My stomach felt like little salamanders were scurrying in random directions. Ten minutes before the game I had the boys take a knee and we went over the plays we were going to run. We walked onto the field and warmed up. I spoke to them about courage and how it was not by mere coincidence that we were playing our first game on the 7th anniversary of one of the worst tragedies America has endured; 911.
I told them:
"On that day that many Americans were struck in the heart with a dagger of hate, with the poison of grief and fear dripping from its tip. Its affects were numbing at first, as shock made its way through the veins of America; causing our pulse to weaken. At that point we had a choice; lay down and die or stand and fight. It is easy to lay down and die. Fear cripples your mind and body and convinces you that you are weak and unable, and death is certain. America chose to stand and fight. We have chosen to risk all that we have to ensure that our children and grandchildren will have what we have; freedom, liberty, and the opportunity to pursue our dreams. That takes courage and determination. It takes endurance and perseverance. We must not loose heart. We must stay the course and not loose sight of the prize. Tonight, I’m not asking you to lay your life down for your country. I’m not asking you to sacrifice your comforts for the sake of your neighbors. I’m simply asking you to see what is before you. God has given us tonight as a parable; a time of teaching. Look on the past events of September 11, 2001 and learn from them. If we are to be victorious tonight we must stand and fight. We must have courage in the midst of fierce competition, determination in exhaustion, and endurance in the absence of vision."(paraphrase)
After the speech we knelt and prayed. I pleaded with God for Him to help us play to our potential and not beat ourselves. We prayed for safety for all players and broke out with a hardy amen. The young men ran through the tunnel to the excitement of the crowd. I reminded them that champions do not beat themselves and then broke them out onto the field. My team went out ready to play the game of football with some pride..... and hopefully a level head and heart.
Unfortunately, we lost 28-0. We fought hard for two quarters. Our defense played well, bending but not breaking. However, our offense could not move the ball. My linemen would not fire off the ball. Eventually we were overcome by a persistent thrust of Pilot Point's buck sweep. After the second touchdown everything I had mentioned above was lost. We lost sight of the prize, our determination drizzled, and our heart was to empty to endure.
After the game I spoke to them about what I saw on the field. I had some disappointment and I let them know it. Nonetheless, Lord willing there will be tomorrow and as long as we are willing to get better, we will be ok. Needless to say, after the game I was heart broken. I desperately wanted my boys to win that night. I felt like they needed it to show them that they are capable of doing great things. However, I’m not so sure that is what God felt was in their best interest.
An hour or so after the game I was walking to my car and noticed two of my players (brothers) waiting in the parking lot. I asked why they had not left. They told me that they were waiting for their mother to get off work. Many of my boys have parents that work both shifts to make ends meet. I put my stuff on the steps and decided to wait with them. I was concerned that they were all alone in the school parking lot at 10:30 at night. I sat in between the two boys and began chit chatting about the game. The oldest brother is passionate about football and looked very disappointed. His head was hanging low and he would not look me in the eyes. His voice was soft and his sentences were fragmented. He obviously was upset. He seemed to be humiliated. I tried to encourage him in that he will get better in practice and so will the team. He nodded respectfully and the conversation ended.
A few minutes later he began talking about Roger Garcia. Roger was a student of mine who died on February 8, 2008 suddenly from Community Acquired Pneumonia and the flu. Roger was also a very close friend of this boy. He spoke very fondly of Roger as a friend. I spoke fondly of him as a student. This young man was obviously still grieving the sudden loss of his friend and had a lot of questions. While we were talking I realized that an opportunity was on the horizon; an opportunity to share the most loving thing I could share, the gospel.
I asked the young man that if he and Roger were switched, where would he be right now. He said heaven. I asked him how he knew that for sure. He could not give me an answer. I went over the law with him and asked him if he had broken any of the ten commandments. He confessed to lying, stealing, and using the Lords name in vain. So I told him that if he died tonight, by his own confession, he would be a lying, thieving, blasphemer at heart. He agreed. Then I asked him how he thought God would judge him. The young man replied that he would go to hell. I asked him if that concerned him. He said "Yes...a lot." I then went into the grace of God through Christ and encouraged him to think about his need for Jesus and to commit his life to Christ.
Looking back on that night I see victory in a completely different way. On the field God allowed us to get handled pretty roughly. The boys were very disappointed in their play and the outcome of the game. We were humiliated. However, behind the scenes God was using that humiliation to prepare this young man’s heart to hear the gospel. He was humble and broken. This brokenesss caused him to reflect on weighty matters, such as his friend Roger. It is amazing how loss, no matter how major or minute causes the soul to reflect. This reflection was a sign of divine opporutnity.
Had we won he might have been proud and haughty. Instead, the loss tilled up fertile ground for the gospel to be planted and watered. Therefore, our game against Pilot Point was a success. Though we lost, a soul may have been won. And that soul is worth far more than a “W” in the win column. Please pray for this young man. Pray that his heart took in the seed of the gospel and that Satan will not be able to take it away. Pray that he will be saved and committed to live a life of radical love for Jesus.
Obviously that night many lessons were taught on the football field. If you don't mind, after reading this blog, leave a comment on a lesson you could have possibly learned that night on the field. I'm curious of what you may see that I did not catch. Thanks. Be good and God bless.
Obviously that night many lessons were taught on the football field. If you don't mind, after reading this blog, leave a comment on a lesson you could have possibly learned that night on the field. I'm curious of what you may see that I did not catch. Thanks. Be good and God bless.
