Tuesday, November 19, 2013

jim cain

Good Morning!

“Eighth grade, away football game. There's a chill in the air, mouthpieces and Gatorade. My shoulder pads are too small. My helmet's way too big. I haven't touched the ball. O God, please make the coach put me in.” -- Wes King

How many of us have ever felt that way? It may not have been at a football game or even a sporting event, but almost all of us have felt the way Wes King felt when he wrote his song entitled “Second String.” Unfortunately, the second stringer is rapidly disappearing in our society. No longer is it enough to belong to something greater than ourselves. Sacrifice for the common good or striving to achieve a common goal are no longer important in this “I, me” world. Playing time and statistics now overshadow team goals and won loss records as everyone strives to be in the spotlight.

Though many of us have had the privilege to be starters or even stars in one area or another while growing up, eventually adolescence is over and we begin jobs, and the chances to run with the ball or sing the major solo are replaced with the everyday affairs of raising a family, keeping a job, & maintaining a home. These are the lessons of the team player. The one who kept showing up for practice every day whether he got to play much on Friday night or not. These are the lessons of life.