Wednesday, February 22, 2017

A Cheer from the Crowd





The crowds move swiftly to a seat.  The popcorn aroma fills the air.  The coach rounds up the team to begin warmup.  The team ready to play!

The line leads to an auditorium full of excited parents.  The vendors set up shop.  The director leads the kids in warmup.  The choir ready to perform!

As parents, we experience both scenarios described above.  We love watching the kids thrive in these environments.  Both love participating and their excitement brings joy to our hearts.  I am proud of both to discover their talent and put forth 100% effort with each performance. 

At a recent basketball game leading to the Championship, the excitement exceeded all other games of the season.  My daughter could not wait to get out on the court and ‘brake some ankles’.  The game was intense.  The crowd watched as our girls shot numerous times without landing any points on the board.  Meanwhile, the opposing team shot multiple times resulting in points increasing on the board.  The game looked grim from our stands.
 
Being a referee, my husband focuses on missed calls and follows the game from a much different perspective.  Missed calls resulted in lost opportunity for our girls to gain a lead (or even get some points on the board).  Toward the end of the first quarter, my husband busted at the seams.  He decided to help the struggling referee out by ‘kindly’ letting him know that indeed a foul occurred; yet, the referee failed in blowing the whistle.  The referee did not like the guidance from my husband; therefore, stopped the game and gave our coach a warning.  We stood risk for a technical foul!  (insert a wife with bright red face) 

The game began to shift our way after the first quarter.  Our girls landed shots and halted the other team with strong defense.  My husband cheered and showed huge excitement for our girls.  Our daughter struggled in going in for a layup, drawing a possible foul on a fast break.  She continued to jump stop, shoot and miss.  Suddenly, her dad’s advice kicked in and she went full force down the court for a layup!  AND 1!

As she lined up to shoot her “free” point, my husband stood up, clapped and said “Brooklyn, awesome job, that is exactly what to do!”  (or something to that effect) I was too taken aback by this father’s support that I cannot remember the exact words.  The little girl in me wished I had such comments when I played back in the day.  The wife/mother in me prided on the wonderful man I now have in my every day!  My daughter, son and I are better than blessed.

My husband defends, protects, provides and encourages each of us daily.  His view on the world keeps me grounded.  His leadership keeps me progressing.  His words keep me lifted. 

The little girl in me longed for such embrace, encouragement, protection, defense and rescue; I now know all of this and more was present all along.  This remains true today.  We each have opportunity to embrace the love of our Father in every situation.  He defends, protects, provides and encourages. 

He sends an army of angels in to fight the battle you face.  He protects your heart and shuts down the enemy always.  He provides every tool required for any storm in this life.  He encourages with Truth spoken directly to your thoughts. 

No more longing.  No more emptiness.  No more worries. 

Love life.  Build excitement for the ‘game’ today.  Give 100% effort with each performance.  Go forth in full knowledge of Truth.  Stand firm in confidence, knowing full well your Heavenly Father cheers for you!  Embrace the love of your Father!

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1

Half way to the WEEKEND!  Enjoy this day with your Father!

Live life. . .One Day at a time! 

Sheree Craig   

No comments:

Post a Comment