Lessons from the soccer field

I took some pictures today.
They were better 2x2 than on the big screen.
I would rather just share something else with you, okay!?!


Today, I was going through my pictures of the last soccer game of the season.
I had promised the parents to send along some of the shots and simply hadn't had time to get to editing them.
I made the time today, between loads of laundry of course.

I wanted to take the time to tell you, from my perspective about something that happened during that game.
I might be assuming too much, but I don't think so!!!

One of the boys on our team got hurt late in the second half.
Everyone saw him topple through the player guarding the goal and quickly double over, managing to keep his footing but desperately holding his knee in pain.
The agony he was in was obvious on his face.

My son was the closest to him and therefore the first to arrive to check on him.
My boy, very sensitive to others, leaned over with his teammate and grabbed onto his arm offering resistance against the gravity and pain threatening to take him down.
Soon the boy was surrounded by many of his other teammates, all of them with grave faces and confused expressions.
They weren't quite sure what to do but hung close hoping that would somehow be of help.

The coach, forgotten clipboard still gripped in his hand, was rapidly striding in to get a closer look and assess the situation.
Typically if one of our boys gets hurt it is something they can usually shake off to return to the game without much ado.

Not this time.
The coach quickened his step and arrived to take the arm my son was holding.
He wrapped his arm under the boys, and around the child's small back in hopes of helping to take the brunt of the weight off of his injured knee; my husband, the assistant coach took the other arm.

They guided him a few steps along and then suddenly something changed.

Maybe it was because I was watching so carefully, but I noticed a sudden shift in the coach.

He seemed to make a mild shake of his head, as if warding off any doubt and then he quickly swooped down and picked up that boy in one fluid movement.

I think his Daddy instinct took over and he just couldn't help himself.
It seemed like he was choosing to make the best decision for this kid, to help him get off the field and hopefully to some relief by sitting.


That's what I saw anyway.
That is what my mommy sense told me was happening.

The next shot I captured was this.
See that boy there, in the red overshirt.

Look at him really carefully.
Notice how he doesn't look worried at all.
I mean the rest of the boys on the team wore expressions of concern and confusion...why not this child???

I have a feeling it is because that injured boy is in the arms of his Daddy.

I have a feeling he knows full well what it is to be in need and have the arms of his Father comfort him.




Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 46:4
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

I love being a child of the King.
I also have confidence in his ability to carry whatever pain is in your life, and see you through to what is best for you.

Oh, and that little boy??
He was just fine in the end.