I don't like football. I don't understand football, and I have no desire to ever learn to understand it. It just doesn’t appeal to me. I can think of more interesting things to do than watch a bunch of grown boys get their nice clean clothes all dirty trying to catch and keep an awkwardly-shaped ball.
But … one Super Bowl Sunday in 1995, I found myself in front of the TV for part of the game. Not because I cared (or even knew) who was playing, but because I was in my sister-in-law’s home and wanted to sit with the rest of the family.
During the half an hour or so that I watched the game, I learned something. Not how to play football, or even how to enjoy watching football. But I learned something that I hope will carry over into the Game of Life, especially my home and church life.
One player made an attempt to catch the ball, but his foot slipped on the grass and he fell, losing the ball. But instead of his fellow teammates yelling at him, calling him names, telling him how stupid he was, and maybe kicking him off the team, one teammate came over and helped him to his feet. He patted him on the back, and spoke words of encouragement. I couldn’t hear what was said, but I could imagine by the facial expressions that he was saying, “Nice try—better luck next time.”
Now, these are guys who would just as soon pile on top of one another in the mud as go out for ice cream. I’m not sure what I expected, but I didn’t expect such an obvious display of comradeship. After all, the guy messed up. Possible score points were lost. He let his team down. The least they could have done was ignore him. Maybe if no one acknowledged his fall, the fans wouldn’t think the whole team was bad. H-mm …
I got to thinking … the church is somewhat like a team. At least it should be. How does your church team react when one of the players slips and falls, losing the ball? Do they yell at him? Push him back down in the mud? Kick him off the team?
Or does someone go to him, offer a hand up, and say, “Nice try—better luck next time.”
How about the family team? Does your child feel at times like the Least Valuable Player? Does your spouse, at times, wish he/she could trade you to another team? Or do your team members show the kindness and encouragement to one another that the football player exhibited?
Instead of scolding, shaming, or ignoring the offender, why not say, “Oops, you goofed. But I’m here to help you up. Keep playing, you'll do fine.” It feels good to say such words, and it feels good to hear them, too.
Wouldn’t it be nice to hear words of encouragement next time you lose your temper at board meeting, or don’t get the last load of laundry put away until five minutes after sundown Friday evening? Or give in to that old caffeine craving that you thought was conquered?
Instead of being called before the school principal to be told of your child’s latest sins and being told that if you were a good parent, your child wouldn’t be acting this way, wouldn’t it be nice if someone would just say, “I notice you're having a hard time. Can I help?”
Peter puts it this way: “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing” (1 Peter 3:8–9).
I learned something from the Super Bowl. Sometimes lessons come from the least likely places. This is one lesson I hope I don’t forget. Maybe you’ll remember it, too.
©2/14/95
