A one-point loss to an arch rival can break the heart of the toughest athlete or coach. That woulda-coulda-shoulda review sets in for at least a few hours if not for days following the defeat. It can lead to a “ho-hum…guess this is just the way it is” attitude that fosters no change and little motivation. Or, it can lead to an amazing resolve to not let that happen again!
It is this kind of resolve that brings about a ferociousness that wells up within both players
and coaches spurring a whole team on to an even greater desire to work hard and play well.
In the early 1970's during the Vietnam War, I found myself with a rather“ho-hum” type of attitude about what was happening in that far away country. Since very few of my peers or relatives
were engaged in actual combat, I found myself with a nagging disinterest in the war efforts that must have broken God's heart.
Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you,
is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Ephesians 4:30 MSG
Thankfully this grievous complacency bothered me to the point of a BREAK-MY-HEART prayer:
“Dear God, please let me see this struggle through your eyes.”
His answer was swift and clear and came that very same day. It was time for my regularly-watched early evening newscast. With the kids playing happily in their rooms, I turned on our 24-inch black and white console T.V. and returned to my favorite corner of the couch (no remotes then!). The lead story was on the war, of course … yet another set of film clips showing various war-torn places like Ho Chi Minh Trail, Mekong Delta, Saigon, and Phnom Penh in Cambodia.
But it was what followed those regularly-viewed war reports that God would use to BREAK MY HEART. The camera panned an airport and U.S. cargo planes with their back hatches down. A little closer view showed our troops with guns drawn providing a path of safety for hundreds of Cambodian mothers, children, and older folks carrying with them only the most important items. They would be some of the first to escape the impending communist take-over of Cambodia. They were running for their lives to board the airship to freedom. As their tear-stained, yet determined, faces were shown I felt their struggle and saw them through God’s eyes as tears fell from mine…it broke my heart.
Interestingly, shortly after this impacting experience, my young women’s church group was offered the opportunity to prepare health and safety packets for the Cambodian refugees. Since I was motivated by what broke both my heart and the heart of God it was easy to respond. Mobilizing about 20-30 young mothers, we prepared over 1500 packets to be flown to these precious fleeing souls…other mothers just like us but who had to leave their fathers, brothers and sons in exchange for their safety and freedom.
The ferocious spirit of these refugees fostered an intense resolve to work hard and move forward. Today successful businesses in our country are owned by the Vietnam war refugees and their families.
Blessings...as your heart breaks for what breaks God's heart.
Heal my heart and make it clean...
Open up my eyes to things unseen.
Show me how to love like you have loved me.
Break my heart for what breaks Yours…
Everything I am for Your Kingdom’s cause,
As I walk from earth into eternity. (from "Hosanna" by Hillsong)
CLICK BELOW TO ENJOY HILLSONG'S "HOSANNA"
It is this kind of resolve that brings about a ferociousness that wells up within both players
and coaches spurring a whole team on to an even greater desire to work hard and play well.
In the early 1970's during the Vietnam War, I found myself with a rather“ho-hum” type of attitude about what was happening in that far away country. Since very few of my peers or relatives
were engaged in actual combat, I found myself with a nagging disinterest in the war efforts that must have broken God's heart.
Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you,
is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Ephesians 4:30 MSG
Thankfully this grievous complacency bothered me to the point of a BREAK-MY-HEART prayer:
“Dear God, please let me see this struggle through your eyes.”
His answer was swift and clear and came that very same day. It was time for my regularly-watched early evening newscast. With the kids playing happily in their rooms, I turned on our 24-inch black and white console T.V. and returned to my favorite corner of the couch (no remotes then!). The lead story was on the war, of course … yet another set of film clips showing various war-torn places like Ho Chi Minh Trail, Mekong Delta, Saigon, and Phnom Penh in Cambodia.
But it was what followed those regularly-viewed war reports that God would use to BREAK MY HEART. The camera panned an airport and U.S. cargo planes with their back hatches down. A little closer view showed our troops with guns drawn providing a path of safety for hundreds of Cambodian mothers, children, and older folks carrying with them only the most important items. They would be some of the first to escape the impending communist take-over of Cambodia. They were running for their lives to board the airship to freedom. As their tear-stained, yet determined, faces were shown I felt their struggle and saw them through God’s eyes as tears fell from mine…it broke my heart.
Interestingly, shortly after this impacting experience, my young women’s church group was offered the opportunity to prepare health and safety packets for the Cambodian refugees. Since I was motivated by what broke both my heart and the heart of God it was easy to respond. Mobilizing about 20-30 young mothers, we prepared over 1500 packets to be flown to these precious fleeing souls…other mothers just like us but who had to leave their fathers, brothers and sons in exchange for their safety and freedom.
The ferocious spirit of these refugees fostered an intense resolve to work hard and move forward. Today successful businesses in our country are owned by the Vietnam war refugees and their families.
Blessings...as your heart breaks for what breaks God's heart.
Heal my heart and make it clean...
Open up my eyes to things unseen.
Show me how to love like you have loved me.
Break my heart for what breaks Yours…
Everything I am for Your Kingdom’s cause,
As I walk from earth into eternity. (from "Hosanna" by Hillsong)
CLICK BELOW TO ENJOY HILLSONG'S "HOSANNA"
2012 SPORTMOMS & MORE | 11964 Elemar - Portland, OR 97224
RSS Feed