This past Friday night, the football team Asa plays for got beat handily in the season opener 56-0! Not a good way to start the season (this is an understatement). Despite a good effort by our boys and coaches, at the end of the day, we were just outmanned and the opposition was very talented. Our opponent plays two classes above us. That is referred to as “class” football in Kentucky. Simply put, the more kids you have enrolled in your high school, the higher class you are in. Hence, you have more to pick from which means you should always beat the smaller schools in all sports just about every time.
Despite going into the contest playing a school with a larger enrollment, etc., we were still optimistic of a possible win or at least we thought we could “keep it close.” We did neither! This game was Asa’s first start as a defensive lineman. (Proud dad moment- he played well and had played well in a previous scrimmage)- But, he still faced a bigger and older opponent on every play which resulted in him engaging with someone who was trying to inflict pain on him all night.
When the game was over, me, Amy, and Ellie waited for him to emerge from the locker room so he could see us and we could see him. We wanted to make sure he was okay physically and emotionally. Additionally, we wanted to encourage him, tell him we were proud of him and we loved him. We were doing what most parents (and sisters) would do. After talking briefly, we got into our vehicles and headed home. He arrived after us, but we walked in the house together. Asa turned and sincerely said, “Thank ya’ll for not leaving.”
Here’s the point, we all need each other! In a world full of strife, hurt feelings, division, and confusion, we must make sure our lives our centered on Christ, we must find ways to support one another, and we are helpful & not hurtful.
Jesus expects us to be one through Him. John 17:20-22 says, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” Jesus wants us to be united in His blood and supportive of each other until the end.
How many times have we been thankful when someone has shown up during our time pain, suffering, and need? Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” We need Christ for salvation, and each other for duration.
May we seek opportunities to not only be present, but be available when someone is in need! We know we are never alone (Hebrews 13:5). May we be able to say to someone, “Thank ya’ll for not leaving” when we are in need!
