Our university’s football
program (American Football) recently celebrated its 100 year anniversary of
competing in that sport. As a part of the celebration they chose an “All-Century
Team” of players and coaches from across that span of time. They chose a number
of players from each position and three coaches, totaling eighty-three in all. Quite a
few of them were able to attend the events which included a dinner with a
program, a tailgate prior to the game and introductions of each of the chosen players
during half-time of the game. It was a great weekend and a tremendous
opportunity to see many of the players whom I’ve known over my twenty seasons
of serving the team.
That weekend and several
occasions since then have led me to reflect on the rewarding moments that we
often experience in our roles of service. I
am listing many of these below and I hope they raise your awareness as
to such opportunities. There are enough painful moments, days of doubt and
frustration, periods of worry and misunderstanding, don’t you dare miss the
moments of reward. A couple of these per year can keep me in the harness
through months of criticism and barrenness.
·
Phone
calls – an occasional call from a player who asks
for prayer prior to a job interview or announces the birth of his new baby is
warmly received and touches the soul.
·
Text
messages – the brief, direct communication I receive
from players and coaches goes straight to my heart when they share news or ask
for prayer.
·
Returning
players – at homecoming games, during special events
like mentioned above or on any occasion, the smiles, hugs, back slaps, and the
stories told between the team chaplain and the players who have gone on in
their lives and careers, are priceless.
·
Weddings – I have
been privileged to lead several couples, made up of collegiate athletes or
coaches, through the preparations for marriage and their wedding ceremonies.
The opportunity to serve them in this way and to help shape their relationships
is richly rewarding and a little intimidating in its importance.
·
Births – for some
of the couples whose weddings I have been privileged to officiate, I have also
been present on the days their babies were born. To visit the family, to hold
their newborn and to be asked to pray for their child is among my life’s
greatest privileges. I feel like Simeon from the book of Luke blessing the
Christ child.
·
Facebook
messages – a few times across the years of my having a
presence on Facebook I have been stunned to receive a message from a player
from many years past describing the impact of our ministry upon his or her
life. The fact that all of that person’s friends and all of my friends can also
read the message is humbling and touches my heart deeply.
·
Funerals – this one
may not be so obviously rewarding, but to be present when people’s hearts are
laid open by grief provides us with opportunities to love them deeply and
without resistance. Such moments also prompt some vulnerable expressions of gratitude
and reflection by those we serve. To walk with them through the pain is worth
it when we connect this deeply.
I am sure I could find some more, but I trust
this short list of rewarding moments will be sufficient to fuel your
imagination for the discovery of similar instances in your experience and even
in your future. Let’s love extravagantly and serve selflessly.
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