Running the Pitch

This weekend was one for running - really sprinting - up and down the field. I was assigned U-14 and U-12 games ... but for some reason the kids kept making long passes. I'd have to churn down the field to get in position, only to have them pass it long the opposite way. After a few minutes, I found myself longing for a ball kicked way out of touch or a shot on goal that would miss and roll for miles.

I had to really dig down deep the last half of the last game. I had made the rookie mistake of not having enough to eat during the day so my energy was very low. I start growling to myself in order to hustle up the field and get in the right position. Fortunately, the end of the match came and we didn't have too much added time. It felt good to hear from one of the coaches that they appreciated my hustle even in the waning moments of the match.

But, I got to thinking today about a friend who is in the hospital. He had a stroke back in August and it has pretty well laid him up. His speech centers are functioning, but the left side of his body is not coming back well (on top of all this ... he's left-handed). I'm watching him and his wife have to "dig deep" to stay in the game. It's easy for me, on the outside, to wonder why he doesn't do all his physical or occupational therapy. It's easy for me to second-guess decisions that they are making as a couple. I want to try to hold back from making these judgments because this is one field that I've not yet had to run. It's easy to ask "what if" or "why don't you" when you're on the outside. It's a whole different matter when you are the one on the inside.

I'm also still struggling with the issue of why doesn't God just heal my friend and get on with it. I listen to other people talk about their "miracles." I read the New Testament and see Jesus and the apostles healing people. Why not my friend and why not now?

And ... I realize that this is a slippery slope. This is Job barking at God while not realizing his own limitations. I guess a better response is "Yes, I believe. Please, Lord, help my unbelief."

1 Samuel 27-29