December 1 – “The Sports Report”

Let’s get a few questions behind us right from the start.  Yes, I saw Auburn beat Alabama.  Yes, I saw Baylor barely hold on to beat TCU.  Yes, I saw the Aggies lose to Missouri.  So much for the national sports scene.  And on a more personal note, yes, I am quite sore.  Yes, I woke Chris up early this morning because of a really bad cramp in my hamstring.  Yes, my elbows are sore.  And yes, true to her word many years ago, Chris has absolutely no sympathy for such ailments related to the once a year (yep, not even weekend athletes is appropriate here) Turkey Bowl aches and pains. 

But the event did happen.  The players come and go due to geography or injury or out and out old age, but still the event happens.  This year we played in the street in front of our house again.  The average age has taken a drastic drop from earlier years.  Oh, I was still there, as was Kel and Nathan.  Cory and Josh from church came out again.  But from there the player age plummeted.  Jachin at almost ten was the old man among the next generation.  He recruited a friend from down the street he had met earlier, and that friend brought his little brothers.  Micah was there.  Cailyn played a down or two before she decided that perhaps cheerleading held more promise for her than hanging out with a bunch of grunting, sweaty boys.  The newcomer of the year, however, was by far three-year-old Josiah.  He became a fierce force on the defensive side, and his quarterback intimidation was second to none.  He would rush the passer with reckless abandon, wrap his arms and legs around said quarterback’s leg, and hold on for dear life.  Frightening picture.  J.J. Watt better watch his back.  Josiah is on his way.  Micah had an MVP-worthy appearance as a relative newcomer as well.  He made three or four receptions, and even threw for a completion.  Jachin caught one for a touchdown, and broke up several passes with his pesky defensive play.  Sadly, however, his memories of the day will most likely be centered around his collision with a bumbling blocker.  The play happened on a kickoff.  A wall of protection formed around the runner and Jachin fearlessly attacked the wall itself, single-handedly breaking up the blocking scheme and leaving the runner defenseless.  However, as he and the slow, lumbering lineman became entangled, they both fell to the turf that was not turf.  Crack.  Pain.  Time slowed to a halt.  No stretchers were needed, though.  Jachin leapt to his feet and made his way to the sidelines clutching a fresh goose-egg on the back of his head.  He returned later in the game as if nothing had happened, stifling any hope his man had of ever receiving a pass.  The lummox who tried to block him was much slower getting up.  His injury was limited to a minor scratch on his knee and the promise of more pain to come – most likely of the type that wakes one up early in the morning with such mysterious ailments as hamstring cramps. 

Word has it that the event will go on.  Next year.  Saturday after Thanksgiving.  High noon.  Be there.

Ephesians 3:14-16 says, “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”

Father, thank you for football games with the kids, plenty of food to share, and the joy of being together with those I love.  Amen.