A Marvelous Show of Sportsmanship
Today, we had our sixth Upward game. We have 7 players on our team, but we only had 5for this game. It is a team of fourth through sixth grade boys, and we play full court on a regular basketball court. That makes it very tiring for those young men to play the entire game without any rest. The other team had 7 players, so they were able to substitute some and stay a little rested.
I was so proud of our team and of both teams for that matter. It was a physical game, and when our boys started to get tired, they started getting hurt. Both teams had to play with 4 players for a couple of minutes before half time, when one of our boys was accidentally stepped on. They all played hard, and we came out with a tie score. I considered it a moral victory, not because of the score, but because of their attitude.
It was tough game, but not once did any of the boys on either team speak harshly to another player. Not once did any of them get upset with the other team. They were just giving 100% of their best effort, even though they were tired and at times they were over matched. That is how all games should be played. That is Christ-like sportsmanship. We talk about being like Christ in everything, but sometimes we exclude sports. Our boys were like Jesus in one of the most competitive of circumstances. I think that is great. It shows that they are not only learning basketball. They are learning life, the way it ought to be lived. What a lesson!
Tomorrow, I intend to read Leviticus 4-5 and Matthew 24:29-51.
I was so proud of our team and of both teams for that matter. It was a physical game, and when our boys started to get tired, they started getting hurt. Both teams had to play with 4 players for a couple of minutes before half time, when one of our boys was accidentally stepped on. They all played hard, and we came out with a tie score. I considered it a moral victory, not because of the score, but because of their attitude.
It was tough game, but not once did any of the boys on either team speak harshly to another player. Not once did any of them get upset with the other team. They were just giving 100% of their best effort, even though they were tired and at times they were over matched. That is how all games should be played. That is Christ-like sportsmanship. We talk about being like Christ in everything, but sometimes we exclude sports. Our boys were like Jesus in one of the most competitive of circumstances. I think that is great. It shows that they are not only learning basketball. They are learning life, the way it ought to be lived. What a lesson!
Tomorrow, I intend to read Leviticus 4-5 and Matthew 24:29-51.