It was his first tournament. He was both excited and nervous, especially since their last few volleyball matches had not resulted in triumph. The games began at 9:30am sharp.
By the time we left Crescenta Valley High School, it was 8:00pm. When everything was said and done, his visiting freshman/sophomore team went undefeated with 11 straight wins. It was a sweet, impressive victory for a group of young men still learning how to gel with one another.
For my son, being named the Most Valuable Player exceeded all of our expectations.
You see up until 45 days ago, he had NEVER played volleyball, NEVER watched professional volleyball, and NEVER talked about volleyball. He’s a football guy — wide-receiver — who can move his runner’s build down the gridiron at a rapid pace. But because he’s currently 6’2, his body is actually more ideal for blocking and spiking a volleyball.
Needless to say the next day the last thing my son wanted to do was to attend church. “I’m exhausted dad. My legs are so sore. I can’t get up. I just can’t!” At that point, I could have very easily given him a pass. After all, my oldest played hard against all those other schools, and did everything that was expected of him. Would God really mind if he blew off this particular Sunday?
“Let me tell you why YOU’RE going today” I said, despite feeling completely depleted from those 12 hours that also consumed my Saturday. “You were blessed with a phenomenal day. You didn’t just play, you excelled. Neither you nor any of your teammates sustained a single injury. Going to church this morning is about showing gratitude. Because if something had happened and we found ourselves in an emergency room, praying for your healing would top the list of things we would be doing.”
I then concluded, “In other words son, don’t take God for granted!”
He didn’t utter another word.
Despite being a little late to service, our family made it on time to hear that blessings come forth when we forgive others in the same manner God forgives us of our sins and shortcomings. I particularly needed the reminder that forgiveness is powerful, and that regularly practicing it emboldens you to be fearless.
My son needed to hear that it’s okay to pray for big, supersized blessings, and that God lovingly provides for those who are honorable, humble, and obedient.
The way I see it, life is a game. It’s all about who’s on your team and how you choose to play. Now I can’t predict what the rest of this volleyball season is going to look like, but I whole-heartedly believe that having a power greater than yourself as captain can and will ensure a win. Every time.
See you on the court!
iambossross 
Forgiveness, Yes. “He knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin!”. And saying this, he fell asleep. Forgiveness is not a spiritual gift, a skill, or an inherited trait. Forgiveness is a deliberate choice.
Congrats to your son, well done!