January 19
Choosing the Boy Over the Gator
… in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4 (NKJV)
I graduated from the University of Florida over 30 years ago. My how time flies! Well, the U of F has received a lot of attention lately as my Gators have come alive in the world of college sports. When I attended, we were still trying to win the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Football Championship, and it seemed so awfully important. We had some good teams and someone back then coined the phrase “Year of the Gator.” Well, year after year, we were supposed to have a great season and go all the way! But the saying seemed to have the reverse effect as my Orange and Blue came up short time and again. So we quit saying “Year of the Gator” because it had become a jinx.
But now things are different. I’ve followed our success and probably you have too: NCAA Basketball Champs last year, NCAA Football Champs this year, and now a repeat in basketball by beating Ohio State in the final.
Last night was the night of the big game, and I was well prepared. I had tracked the Select 64, the Sweet 16, the Elite 8 and the Final 4, and yes, that sweet victory over UCLA brought us to the Big One. I was ready!
But then something happened.
My 9-year old boy. The son who had been working hard to correct some personal issues we had discussed wanted some time with his dad.
“Dad, let’s play baseball out back!”
“Uhhhhh…. Hey, I know. How about we watch basketball instead! It’s the NCAA Championship game and my team is playing! How about that?”
“No. That’s okay.”
He turned and walked away. He never was one for TV sports. He wanted to do, not watch. I heard the back door close, and my mind began to click and whirr. Then the Spirit began to work overtime and Scripture verses like the one above drifted up from the tiny recesses of my brain.
I looked longingly at our widescreen and the colorful jerseys running up and down the court. It took nearly a minute to make a choice, but I did make a choice. I found Alex out back throwing a half-inflated soccer ball to the dog.
I don’t know how it happened, but Alex threw me out at home plate three times last night! Darn it all, I lost 6 to 4, but what a fun heartbreak. Alex had a blast and God graciously allowed me to watch the last 5 minutes of NCAA basketball AND see a second championship for my beloved Gators. Double joy and one happy kid … uh … okay ... make that two!
LORD, thanks for Your challenge to put others first. Help us to please You in every way and to make right choices. Amen.
Choosing the Boy Over the Gator
… in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4 (NKJV)
I graduated from the University of Florida over 30 years ago. My how time flies! Well, the U of F has received a lot of attention lately as my Gators have come alive in the world of college sports. When I attended, we were still trying to win the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Football Championship, and it seemed so awfully important. We had some good teams and someone back then coined the phrase “Year of the Gator.” Well, year after year, we were supposed to have a great season and go all the way! But the saying seemed to have the reverse effect as my Orange and Blue came up short time and again. So we quit saying “Year of the Gator” because it had become a jinx.
But now things are different. I’ve followed our success and probably you have too: NCAA Basketball Champs last year, NCAA Football Champs this year, and now a repeat in basketball by beating Ohio State in the final.
Last night was the night of the big game, and I was well prepared. I had tracked the Select 64, the Sweet 16, the Elite 8 and the Final 4, and yes, that sweet victory over UCLA brought us to the Big One. I was ready!
But then something happened.
My 9-year old boy. The son who had been working hard to correct some personal issues we had discussed wanted some time with his dad.
“Dad, let’s play baseball out back!”
“Uhhhhh…. Hey, I know. How about we watch basketball instead! It’s the NCAA Championship game and my team is playing! How about that?”
“No. That’s okay.”
He turned and walked away. He never was one for TV sports. He wanted to do, not watch. I heard the back door close, and my mind began to click and whirr. Then the Spirit began to work overtime and Scripture verses like the one above drifted up from the tiny recesses of my brain.
I looked longingly at our widescreen and the colorful jerseys running up and down the court. It took nearly a minute to make a choice, but I did make a choice. I found Alex out back throwing a half-inflated soccer ball to the dog.
I don’t know how it happened, but Alex threw me out at home plate three times last night! Darn it all, I lost 6 to 4, but what a fun heartbreak. Alex had a blast and God graciously allowed me to watch the last 5 minutes of NCAA basketball AND see a second championship for my beloved Gators. Double joy and one happy kid … uh … okay ... make that two!
LORD, thanks for Your challenge to put others first. Help us to please You in every way and to make right choices. Amen.
posted by Craig Soderquist at 9:59 AM
<< Home