Sunday, November 11, 2012

I like to win!

So yesterday we got our first win of the season for Bo's flag football team.  It felt so good to finally win a game! We found ourselves quoting the line from Talladega Nights, "If you're not first, you're last."  That line is humorous but nevertheless some people find this to be their motto.  Bryan has been coaching since Christian was little and we have had every type of season.  We have won championships and we have been the last place team.  I always tease Bryan that the Lord is trying to teach him patience and that the Lord knows Bryan's character can truly handle the loss.  For those of you that know him, you know how competitive he is and losing isn't an easy thing.  But losing every game makes winning that much sweeter.  You have to go through the tough times to appreciate how great the good times are.

Some people can lose and handle it with dignity while others begin to unleash the inner beast.  We all can probably relate that to the current election.  I will not get into a political debate but I will say that I saw all kinds of "ugly" come out in the best of people through this time.  It is amazing to me how quickly we can go from sweet smiles with a dose of "bless your heart" to "oh no you didn't" and telling people to  "redneckanize." I can call myself guilty!  But indeed, we are all human, and fight our flesh constantly.

I have to go back to the Beatitudes in the bible.  A few of them read:
 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth"
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy"
"Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God" 
I mean, really?  Meek, merciful, and peacemakers?
I find myself needing help in all of these areas.  Maybe we all need a reminder of this.
I don't mean to sound preachy but none of us are perfect in how we handle losses or personal attacks or unfairness.  But it is through those times that we find out a lot about ourselves.  And it is in those times that other people watch how we act.  I always catch myself acting a fool and then someone says something like "Oh, your name is Hope, well that is just what I need today."  Yeah yeah and I just gave attitude to someone for not letting me have my way.  What a way to be an example, right?  People are constantly watching you and sometimes they make a judgement about you quickly that is not always accurate.  I have made a ton of mistakes in my past and continually make them today.  I am thankful I serve a God of second chances and whose mercies are new every day. 

I have gone through some trials in my life and have learned a lot from each one.  I have been a winner and a loser.  Sometimes I have been a winner on the outside but a loser in my heart.  Sometimes I have been a loser but the fight made me a winner.  I have been thankful and I have been a brat.  I can only hope that I learn from each trial and embrace the good times.  I hope that the valleys make me appreciate the mountain tops.  I can say that the view is so awesome from the top. But without those valleys I would have no desire to climb.  Lord help me to be meek so that I can inherit the earth.  Help me to be merciful so that when I need mercy you will give it to me.  Help me to be a peacemaker so that you will call me your daughter.

I love to win games and I love to be the first place team.  But I have always been more concerned with my boy's character.  I want them to play hard, be part of a team, leave it all out on the field, and strive to be the best.  I also want them to stand up for what is right, open doors for others, be generous, be respectful, and love the Lord with all of their heart.  I will take that over winning a game any day.  Those things separate the winners from the losers!  God Bless!
P.S.  I still like to win games too! :)

The Struggle Bus

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