Vs.
Goliath! by
Eddie
At the end of the first quarter we were ahead by one point. We did not score a single point in the second quaarter. We started off the third quarter getting blowed out of the gym. It really looked like we were doomed. At one time we were down by 15 points. At this time I said a prayer. I reminded God that Carolyn and all the other parents were watching. In many ways I felt like I was being judged by them tonight. I have coached baseball before. But this was the first time I ever coached basketball. I have been very hard on these kids at practice (for their own good and I have told them it would pay off for us in the long run). I asked God to inspire our kids to play beyond their natural ability. I called a time out. I never once said anything about us being behind or in trouble. I let them catch their breath and kept reminding them of the fundamental things we do in practice. The game started back and we totally took the game over. We stole the ball, blocked shots, rebounded, made shots, made our free throws, etc. etc. It was an awesome sight to say the least. We made up the 15 point difference and won the game by four points. I have been to many little league baseball games and basketball games the last few years. You just dont ever see this tyoe of thing happen at this age level. Games are either close or they are total blow outs. You dont see the type of come back from being that many points down happen often at all. The kids usually get too depressed and discouraged.
When the game ended we lined up to shake hands and congratulate the other team. The opposing coach barely shook my hand and said nothing at all with a look of anger on his face. All our parents were hooping and hollering. Our kids emotions were estatic. All the parents were coming up and congratulating me and shaking my hand. Im not a spotlight or attention type of person. But I have to admit I enjoyed this. several parents were talking about how much they enjoyed it and they had never seen anything like it before. One lady said her biggest kick was watching the color come out of the opposing coaches face because he had been so cocky while his team was beating up on us. Judgement was passed by the parents and kids tonight. I know now that God was with us and we won respect. I give all the glory of this win to our Lord.
I dont think Carolyn cared for the aftermath of this game. Im sure she wanted Scott to play a good game and for us to win. But, I don't think she ever expected the parents to make the comments they made or show the appreciation or attention to me that they did. She did not congratulate me and she left with Scott as soon as she could get him out of there. Randy (the om) had nothing to say either. he just had this bewildered look on his face. When I first decided to coach the team this year, Carolyn tried to advise me against it. She said I wouldnt have time. She warned me about problems with parents. She had already been talking to another coach and wanted Scott to play for him. But, I could not go for that. I felt very driven by the spirit to coach this team. I think this whole thing went against Satans plans. Im sure he would have wanted me to lose control at some point. Get angry with a kid. Yell at a refereee. You know what im talking about here. Something to make me really look bad and unfit. I know the last thing he wanted was for me to win total approval from everyone.
This experience says a lot to me about standing~
Hey team, we are
never down. We are never beat. We cant become discouraged or depressed.
We have to keep our heads up and continue to have faith and to believe.
We cant walk by sight. We cant give up because we are 15 points behind
in the third quarter. The circumstances simply do not matter. God has a
plan and he will come through for us. The only way you can lose is to
give up and quit.
David beat Goliath (again)!!
In Christ,
Eddie
