“And let us be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if you faint not.” Galatians 6:9 (KJV)

My grandson Omari had finally achieved his long sought after goal of playing high school football, in which he hoped would one day be the precursor to a great college football career. Every since he could hold a football he trained in the summer’s heat, winter’s cold, and everything in between for as long as I can remember. Everyone in our family knew Omari would reach his goal one day because of the dedication to his passion. Senior year is important especially for athletes because it’s the last opportunity to showcase talent for college scouts looking to recruit for scholarships. During his senior year Omari was not given much playing time because his team had recruited new players. Omari’s team made the championship that year but he and other long time teammates would not be playing in the biggest game of the year. The new recruits would play instead and Omari would be among others who would be on the sideline even though their hard work in earlier games had helped get the team to that point. My grandson was hurt beyond words, felt it was unfair and wanted to give up. I prayed and God gave me these words for him. “Omari, this is like a relay race and some are a better fit for positions than others. Someone has to be the first, second, third and fourth leg.” “You and others have been the first, second, and third leg to get your team to this point. Now you must gladly hand off the baton to someone else who may be stronger, faster and has a better chance to first cross the finish line. You and the other teammates are still an important part of the team and need to be there to encourage the players when they are tired, weary, and may feel like giving up. ” “And if your team wins the championship every team member will get the exact same championship ring.” I went to that big game and it bought tears to my eyes to see Omari on the side line yelling, encouraging and motivating his teammates who seemed at one point to be knocked completely out of the water. But in spite of what looked like a losing situation in the beginning, Omari’s team pulled through and won the state championship! Omari was ecstatic and so was I as I watched Omari, his teammates, coaches and fans run onto the field in total hysteria!!!! And in spite of Omari not getting much playing time on the field that year he was recruited by a Christian college and given a scholarship to play college football! Lesson learned.

So it is in our Christian walk when we put our own feelings of hurt and disappointment aside to encourage someone else. We will always reap God’s bountiful blessings when we lay aside our own earnest desires to motivate others who may be better at getting the job done. God does not forget our labor of love when we sacrifice through our own tears to applaud the efforts of others. It may seem as though all our hard work has been overlooked by man but they will always be noticed by our God.

Father, when it seems we are overlooked, hurt and disappointed help us to put our own feelings aside to encourage those who may need a kind word or a gentle touch. Help us to push aside our own goals at times to help others reach theirs in Jesus name. Amen.