Recently I was asked why I had a blog. And if I actually thought people were interested in my life. Well I don't really know if people are all that interested but I really write to get my thoughts out on paper. It helps me reminisce at times and other times it helps me to heal. If someone can relate to my experiences then it makes it all worth it. I do want to say thank you again to those of you who choose to read my thoughts and who keep coming back to read some more.
Most of you have endured my posts about basketball over the last several months. If you're not a fan of the basketball court then you will be happy to know that I am moving on to football. I love football and always have! I use to film football practices and games in high school and it was such a fun experience. I was engrossed in the Friday night light scene. I never was a cheerleader even though I always wanted to be. Believe me I can't even get a couple of inches off of the ground and couldn't have even competed with those girls if I tried. I loved the sound of the band marching down the hallway on game days. Till this day I will watch football even if I am all by myself with none of my boys around. I love the drive and passion of football fans and players.
Both my boys play and I have enjoyed every second watching them. My oldest will enter Middle School this year and it will be his first time to tryout for a school sport. I have a lot of anxiety about this. I want him to excel and to do his best. I hope that all the fundamentals that his daddy has taught him since he was little will pay off. I pray he stays protected on that field and has a season free of injuries. I have tried to talk to him about following his dreams and having a passion for what he does whether it is football or something else. We have talked about mental toughness and being a leader. We watched a documentary called "Undefeated" the other night and I loved a line in that movie. The coach said "Football doesn't build character, football reveals character." This is so true! You have to have good character and the things you do and the experiences of life will reveal that character. Just like you can have faith and love the Lord when everything is going good but when you are in the valley and at your lowest, do you still praise His name? Do you still have faith? I pray that my son will always have good character. I want him to be tough physically and emotionally. I want him to be passionate about everything he does and to let that passion lead him into the things God has willed for his life. His character is more important to me than an actual win or loss.
Now it is Bo's first time to play tackle football. He is built totally different than my oldest and has a different work ethic so not sure how this will all end up. He doesn't have the fundamentals down as well as my oldest did at his age. Part of this is the result of being the second child and us not spending as much one on one time with him as we did Christian. He is happy being out on the field with his friends. I watched him for the first time during his scrimmage. My frustration came out because he is so passive and when you are on the line, you can't be. But anytime a team member was down he was patting them on the back and offering a word of encouragement. He has such a sweet demeanor so it is a little tough trying to teach him to be "mean" in the football sense. One thing is for sure, he smiles every time he comes off the field. So needless to say, he is a work in progress. Neither one of my boys has ever been overly aggressive so years ago I would have told you they would have never lasted in such vigorous sport. But they both have surprised me over the years and I look forward to many more seasons of watching them play.
Now why do I love this sport so much? I can't help but relate it to life. I really do love any team sport because it is all about unity. When you are on offense your goal is to get that ball into the end zone to score a touchdown. You have a line that is there to protect the quarterback and ensure that their man with the ball gets down the field. They have to give all of themselves physically and mentally to make sure the opposing side doesn't get their man down. Are you following me? In life you have to have an offensive line. You need people in your life that will always be there to protect you no matter what giants stand in your way. They are the people who say "you can't get to her unless you get through me first." In the same respect, a QB is a leader. They have to be tough. They have to be able to read the field. They have to have confidence in their line and also know that they don't get the ball off without the protection of that line. Don't take those who are close to you for granted. They are the ones willing to stand up for you. You have to be a good example. It is imperative that you build them up. Quarterbacks also have to have confidence in their receivers and running backs. They have to know that whatever I throw at you, you are going to catch it and we are going to make it down to the end zone. And when they do, the whole team scores. Sometimes you throw your thoughts, your passions, your dreams to people who you know will hold them close and help you to accomplish those things. Because when they rejoice in your successes they know it benefits them as well. Hold on closely to those who cheer with you during your successes and achievements.
It is extremely important in life to not become over confident. You can't use people. You can't do for people always expecting something in return. You are where you are because someone along the way, aside from God, has helped you. Parents raised you, friends helped you move, someone made a call on your behalf to put in a good word for a job. Strangers bought you dinner. I believe so much in divine appointments. I believe God places people in your life. We are a part of the same team, God's team. It hurts my heart when some people say "well I don't need anyone." I believe we all need someone. We all need a line of people who are willing to block for us, willing to pray for us, willing to lay down their life for us. We need the QB's in life who tell us where to stand, tell us to get our head in the game when we keep messing up, and who tell us they believe in us enough for them to share their life plan with us. God knows are strengths and our weaknesses and I believe he gives us an army (a team) to help us along the way. We have to stay unified. A team divided against itself cannot stand. You can't have self-seekers or self-righteous people on a team. Each member is vital to move forward and succeed. So be mindful of each other loving in the way God loves us.
I apologize to those of you reading this who don't love sports but I have learned so much about life through sports. And God is in every part of my life so He speaks to me through those experiences. I love the thrill of a game and the drive and determination that comes with it. I want my boys to have drive. I want them to be determined. I want them to be passionate about their dreams and know that with faith all things are possible. I want them to press on and never give up. I want them to dream dreams that only God can help them accomplish. I want them to stand up for good and fight for their team. I want them to have people in their life who pray for them and lift them up. I want God to place people in their life who will hold on with them, run along side them so they make it to the end zone. And when they make it there, I want to see all of them celebrating and rejoicing together. That is what football is all about. That is what life is all about.
Thanks again for reading this! I am glad you are all a part of my life team even if we don't cheer for the same "football" team.
Go Eagles! Go Texans!
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