Friday Night Lights

“The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1 (NIV)

Last Friday night our high school football team traveled 100 miles to play an important region game that could impact this year’s state playoff berths. Every football season is different, but each one begins with the hope of a successful season, no matter the level of play. Our family understands all too well the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, and the need to finish well regardless of the win-loss record. We’ve lived with both the highs and lows of athletics during the last fifty years of my husband and son’s coaching careers.

This year’s football season has been very difficult for us, not just because we faced three top ranked teams in the season’s first four weeks, but also because an unusual number of our starting players are injured and out for the rest of the year. Younger players, who only a month ago were playing on the Junior Varsity, have now been pressed into service as varsity players. One player’s heartbreak became another player’s opportunity. At the midway point, our team’s record was just 1-4 and we were facing a team that was 4-1.

There is no other way around it; losing is never fun! I certainly can’t play, but I can pray. And so, I pray for my son; the assistant coaches; the players, and all of the parents and families involved. I also pray for my churning and burning heart, keenly aware that my Mama pride is cosmic treason against God. Hebrews 13:21, “May he work in us what is pleasing to him,” has been my prayer for our family throughout most of my children’s lives. Last week as I prayed that prayer for our family, God gently reminded me that I can’t pray it and then tell Him what to do or how to do it! I have to trust Him to do His work.
“God will either give us what we ask for in prayer, or give us what we would have asked for if we knew everything he knows.” writes Tim Keller.

My heart was anxious as my husband and I arrived at the football stadium and made our way to the top row of the visitor’s stands. Both teams warmed up on the football field as the band waited for the pregame activities to begin. Across the way the sun was quickly setting when one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen appeared. Suddenly I wasn’t thinking about the pressure my son or his team faced; winning, losing, or playoff berths; injuries or anything else. One verse calmed my anxious mind and heart: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Psalm 19:1(NIV)

Those words had been my sacred echo last week as we spent time at the beach and enjoyed several glorious Gulf sunsets. God’s glory and God’s work- all in His hands! When the game ended, we won 49-14; improved our region record to 2-2; and still have a shot at securing a state playoff berth. My son said, “We still have hope to play meaningful football in October and November!”

But football isn’t just about the win/loss record as important as that is, is it? As a coach’s wife and a player’s mom, I believe in athletics. Two of our sons participated in high school football and baseball. I don’t remember most of their wins or losses, but I do remember the benefits we realized from our sons’ participation. These included:

  • Building relationships with others

  • Learning the value of hard work

  • Working toward shared goals

  • Developing discipline, diligence, & perseverance

  • Dealing with disappointment and overcoming adversity

  • Learning to sacrifice yourself for others’ good

  • Cultivating resilience and grit

Each of those benefits is not just essential for athletics, but also for developing character and preparing us for the bigger life stages that could include marriage, family, and work. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from difficulty. Grit is toughness, perseverance, and strength of character. Character is who you are when no one is looking. How will we respond to hardship and suffering that might include infertility, disability, a difficult marriage, a terminal diagnosis, or a job loss? How do you respond to another person’s success? Where do we find our hope, identity, and security? If we find it in anything other than our relationship with Christ, we are building our house on sinking sand. (Matthew 7:26)

I don’t know how this football season will end, but I know the One holds it- and us- in His hands. May the God of all grace and glory work in each of us what is pleasing to Him.